Ways To Be Happy At Work – and more Productive as an individual and a team

Do you want to be REALLY Happy at Work?

It seems we have it all wrong when it comes to being happy at work. “Most people mistakenly  believe that success leads to happiness.  In reality, our brains work the opposite way around.  Shawn Achor founder of Good Think, and author of the Happiness advantage, has done the research.

Happiness and optimism actually improve every business outcome, as well as improving intelligence, creativity, accuracy and energy.

Happiness@work Research

• 1.Contribution: the feeling of making a difference;
• 2.Conviction: motivation in the moment to perform a task;
• 3.Commitment: overall dedication to work;
• 4.Culture: the social environment at work; and
• 5.Confidence: the belief in one’s abilities to “get the job done.”

Another C to consider is…“Control,”. Control is a vital aspect of  RESILIENCE…  As in whether the work itself is within the control of the employee, or to what extent external factors that are not within the worker’s control impact happiness at work.

Conclusion: The happiest people at work were the best performers.  While the unhappiest were the worst performers.  Happiness at work had a strong and lasting impact on productivity, performance, teamworking effectiveness and the potential to advance in the workplace. Happiness reduces stress, which increases productivity and results in less sick days.  So, it’s a real win-win for employer and employee.

1. Laugh more: Take time out for a joke, a funny blog, a silly picture and the neurons in your brain process information more quickly, helping you think more clearly.
2. Block out productive time-blocks:  Work in increments of 45, 90 or 120 minutes, depending on the nature of your work. Make sure to give yourself a small break between tasks.  Stand up. bend, eat a veggie, walk around the block, or step outside to call a friend.  In other words, go “off-task” or break state.
3. Decorate your space: If you are living in a dull gray cube, brighten it with color, photos, or bright toys, provided you associate these items with positive emotions (Positive Emotion Anchors).  Don’t go overboard and clutter up you area or you will defeat the ability to think clearly.
4. Write down negative emotions: Writing down the negative stuff, from trauma to minor irritations, can reduce the impact of negative emotions by brining them into your consciousness where you can easily neutralise them.
5. Increase your social network: Women live longer than men in part because they rely on close friends to help them through hard times.  Everyone can benefit from good relationships with family and friends to keep work in perspective.
6. Keep learning: Keep learning exciting new things like mastering new computer skills to reading journal articles, this will keep you from stagnating in your life and career, and keep you happier at work.
7. Journal life goals: The benefits of writing about being your “best possible future self” were well-documented by Laura King in 2008.  Take time to consider who you want to be. So make plans and TAKE ACTION.
8. Be grateful: Practice grattitue at least once a week that relates to work, even simple things.

The Constituti­on only gives people the right to pursue happiness. You have to catch it yourself. –  Benjamin Franklin