What Can the Science of Happiness Teach Us About Growing Our Businesses?
Since the beginning of the pandemic, I’ve been giving a number of Zoom talks on various topics, including what the research in psychology has shown leads to greater happiness, and how you can use these findings to grow your business.
This talk is based on a popular Coursera course I took last year called the Science of Well-Being (informally called the Science of Happiness) taught by Yale Professor Laurie Santos.
One of the main takeaways from the course is that happiness comes from repeatedly doing simple tasks, rather than herculean ones.
A lot of the things that we believe will make us happy—money, designer clothes, an awesome car—actually won't.
In the happiness course, Santos describes something called the hedonic treadmill (also called hedonic adaptation). This is the tendency of humans to quickly return to a relatively stable level of happiness despite major recent positive or negative events or life changes.
Researchers in psychology have found that the best ways to improve our happiness are by building productive habits and realizing what actually makes us happy.
There are what I call twelve pillars of happiness. These are habits and actions (including meditating, getting sufficient sleep, exercising, savoring the moment, and investing in experiences rather than in things) that you can practice to become happier.
The most important of the twelve for growing your business—especially during these post-pandemic times—are:
1. performing acts of kindness and generosity;
2. making social connections;
3. expressing gratitude; and
4. having specific, doable, small goals.
By focusing on these four, you will not only be happier, but you will also become more successful.
When you reach out to your sphere of influence, especially to your current and past clientele and referral sources—on a consistent basis—you will naturally grow your business. And by reaching out I mean connecting in the spirit of generosity and kindness, not trying to sell anything!
One of the best ways to ensure that you reach out to people is to make this a daily practice. Can you set aside an hour or so a day to connect with the people in your sphere? Making four or five calls a day or sending texts or handwritten cards or notes or gifts can have a huge effect on your business as well as on your happiness and that of your clients and contacts. Also, you are staying top of mind and strengthening your connections.
A suggestion: Go online or go to a card store or gift shop and purchase several dozen birthday, anniversary and other cards. Keep them in your office to send out when appropriate. You can also buy a supply of gift bags and tissue to use when sending out gifts. (Note: There are companies that make branded tissue paper and bags if you want to go one step further.)
Having supplies on hand makes staying connected that much easier!
And finally, here’s an excerpt from our book, “Beyond the Sale—for Real Estate Agents: How to Create a Great Business and a Life You Love.” It’s a quote from my co-author, Ken Tutunjian, that appears in Part III: Tips from Top Producers. I hope you will be inspired by his generosity and kindness.
“When I was an agent I created my own ‘15 Day Program.’ I called sellers every day for ten days before each closing, asking ‘what can I do?’ I also called them for five days after each closing to see if everything went well during the move and that they were happy in their new home.
“One hot summer day I called Mary to check in while she was packing. She said, ‘I would love an iced coffee.’ So, for ten days I called and asked, ‘Is it time for an iced coffee?’ and I would stop by and drop one off.
“Many years later, I am still in touch with Mary and her husband, and have continued to do business with her and her friends.”
As a way of supporting you, I’m happy to offer a limited number of complimentary half-hour coaching sessions to help you continue to move forward this year. Please email me at JerriU@gmail.com if you want to set up a time to talk.
If you are interested in having me speak to your office or agency on this topic, please contact me. The reviews from agents and managers have been terrific!
