How Life Works

How Life Works

The Myth: success makes you happy. The Fact: happiness makes you successful. This is the message from best-selling Aussie author Andrew Matthews, whose unique self-help books have sold over 7 million copies and been translated into 42 languages globally.

In his new book, How Life Works, Andrew examines why the same things tend to happen to the same people, and what we can do create positive change when needed. It looks at why rich people seem to get richer, why happy people are magnets for opportunity and how some people always end up on their feet – and how to be like them. Andrew says that success is not so much what or who you know, but rather how you feel.

Uniquely illustrated with 90 of Andrew's trademark sketches. How Life Works is a feel-good read for those looking for the answers to some of life's big questions.

Andrew Matthews is one of the world's most widely read self-help authors, selling millions of copies in the USA, UK, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, the Philippines, India, Vietnam & many more. His clients include Shell, McDonalds, Lenovo, Toshiba, and the Departments of Education in Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Australia.

How Life Works
Seashell Publishers
Author: Andrew Matthews
RRP: $24.95

Interview with Andrew Matthews

Question: What inspired How Life Works?

Andrew Matthews: I used to have a neighbour called Caroline who spent her life managing luxury hotels around the world. She had no hospitality training, no CV and never applied for a job. Jobs and opportunities just landed in her lap, year after year.

Caroline had wonderful friends. She vacationed in exotic places. I used to wonder, 'What is her secret?"

Perhaps you know people like Caroline who always fall on their feet. They are no better qualified, they work no harder, they never worry – and they consistently succeed. They seem to have a great life without even trying!

Is it luck? No it's not – and the good news is, we can be like them.

How Life Works is about what I learned from Caroline – and from other happy achievers.


Question: How would you describe How Life Works in one sentence?

Andrew Matthews: The myth says 'Success Makes You Happy" but the truth is, 'Happiness Makes You Successful" – How Life Works shares simple happiness tips that allow us to thrive.


Question: Why do you believe happiness makes you successful?

Andrew Matthews: When you are happy:
You are a better problem solver. Your brain works more efficiently when you are happy – it is scientifically proven.
You have more energy – so you can make more things happen.
You attract people. Others want to be around you. This is helpful because you can't succeed alone.
You are more persuasive. Your enthusiasm is infectious – so people want to help you, join you, buy from you – or marry you!
You are more optimistic. You expect things to work out so you try more things. While the pessimists are saying, 'Why bother?" you say 'Why not?"

If you want to succeed at anything, happiness is not some kind of 'optional extra". Happiness is your foundation.


Question: How does how we feel directly relate to our success?

Andrew Matthews: We ATTRACT situations by how we feel. When you are angry or depressed, nothing works. You hit one roadblock after another. You are a magnet for arguments and accidents.

When you are angry or depressed and you ask yourself the question, 'What else can go wrong?" the answer is, 'Quite a lot!"
When you are happy and grateful, life flows. Insoluble problems evaporate. This is tricky to explain but easy to observe: ask any golfer, manager, salesperson or parent.

For life to get better, you first have to feel better. This may seem unfair but it is how life works.


Question: Why is it important for you to add illustrations to your unique self-help books?

Andrew Matthews: I write the kind of books I wish I had had.

Books should use simple language and they should be fun to read.

Pictures also help us to remember the message. My readers tell me they love the cartoons – and I love to draw them!


Interview by Brooke Hunter