This excerpt from Before Happiness by Shawn Achor outlines seven key takeaways for achieving success and happiness. The book challenges the traditional view that success leads to happiness, instead suggesting that a positive mindset is the foundation for both. Achor emphasizes the importance of developing "positive genius," which involves actively cultivating a positive reality through various techniques like reframing challenges, setting meaningful goals, and managing distractions. The book also explores how to spread this positive perspective to others through "positive inception," which involves sharing successful strategies and inspiring a shared narrative of achievement. The author's work is based on research in positive psychology and is designed to be practical and actionable, offering readers tools to enhance their well-being and personal and professional success.