When Bobby McFerrin first sang his classic song, “Don’t Worry, Be Happy,” I felt as if he were singing my
thoughts to the world. I’ve spent most of my professional career studying, learning, teaching, lecturing, and
writing about happiness and related topics. I’ve always known that, despite resistance and objections from
the more serious segment of society, people have an innate capacity for happiness. And when we are happy,
we not only enjoy our lives more than when we are not, but we are far more competent, productive, and

creative. Without the internal distractions of anger, depression, frustration, and especially worry, our re-
lationships. flourish, stress is diminished, new doors are opened, and our lives run smoothly.

About five years ago I began to realize that the same essential idea applies to success and money. I had
been a reasonably successful businessman in several of my own ventures, yet there seemed to be a small but
important missing link that was keeping me from realizing my professional and financial goals. There was a
part of me that had always been a little unnecessarily cautious, a part of me that worried too much.