A multinational company was recruiting a planning director. After several rounds of selection, only three outstanding candidates remained for the final test.
For this final assessment, the three applicants were placed in a room equipped with a monitor. The room had basic supplies but no telephone and no internet access. The examiner did not give them specific instructions; they were simply told to wait patiently for the exam questions.
On the first day, all three felt slightly excited. They watched TV, read books, and listened to music.
By the next day, the situation began to change. Due to the prolonged wait, two of them grew anxious—constantly changing their posture and flipping through TV channels. Only one candidate remained content: smiling along with the TV show, enjoying his meals, and reading before sleep.
After five days, the assessment ended. The three were led out of the room, and the one who had maintained a happy state of mind was hired. The examiner explained: "Happiness is a kind of ability. To keep a joyful heart in any environment allows one to approach success more steadily."