15 proven ways to be happy at work

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Smile often, find a friend, and don't forget to relax.

1. Understand the meaning of what you are doing

In 1983, Steve Jobs convinced future Apple CEO John Scully to quit his job at PepsiCo, asking him just one question: "Do you want to spend the rest of your life selling lemonade, or do you want to change the world?" Why was this question so effective? It helped the imagination run wild and also gave hope that a person could be able to do meaningful work.

Adam Grant, a professor at the Wharton School of Business, said employees who know their work is meaningful to others as well as themselves feel much happier and more productive.

Teresa Amabile, a professor at Harvard Business School, found the following in her research. Whether you're looking for a cure for cancer or just helping a colleague get through a task, you will still feel happy just knowing that you are doing something useful.

2. Create an office nest

Many people spend much more time at work than 40 hours a week. So organize your workspace in such a way that you feel comfortable, cozy and pleasant to be in it. Of course, you will hardly be able to hang posters dear to your heart or repaint the walls in a different color, but to surround yourself with pleasant little things is quite.

3. Find yourself a friend at work

Leaders must not only hire talented and responsible people, they must also pay attention to maintaining a good climate in the organization. People should be able to communicate with each other. They should feel a friend's shoulder next to them, and not think that they are working in a team where no one cares about each other.

Employees who have friends at work perceive their activities as more fun, rewarding, and enjoyable. They also feel supported by a colleague, which in turn can increase loyalty to the organization as a whole.

4. Smile

What could be simpler than a smile and what can lift our mood just as quickly? Smile! By the way, don't forget that smiling is contagious. It is likely that not only you, but also your colleagues will soon be smiling.

5. Leave personal problems at home

Stress is exhausting. This has the most negative effect on all areas of our life, especially on the professional one. You will look at your watch every minute and think that this day will never end. You will be constantly distracted and end up doing nothing useful.

Try not to think about your personal problems while you work. So you will only benefit: by tormenting yourself with painful thoughts, you will not achieve anything.

6. Focus on the future

Jeffrey James, business author and strategic marketing expert and consultant, believes that we can make smarter decisions and achieve better results if we know that our business will bear fruit in the future. That is, we must always have long-term plans and goals.

7. Say thank you

Various studies prove that when we are thanked, our self-esteem rises, we feel satisfied. And this, in turn, entails other positive emotions that arise both in the one who is being thanked and in the one who is grateful.

If you have successfully completed an order for a company or a specific person, then ask them to write you a review or even a thank you letter.

8. Take a break

We have a lot of tasks before us every day. It is not surprising that it is so easy to go headlong into business and completely forget about rest.

Take short breaks for yourself. Sit quietly for at least a couple of minutes, catch your breath, and proceed to the next task.

Sharon Salzberg, author of True Happiness at Work, notes:

When we complete work assignments without interruption, it becomes much more difficult for us to show all our professionalism, to approach the solution of the problem creatively or with humor.

Sharon Salzberg book author

If we do not take breaks for ourselves, we will become aggressive towards other people, we will not be able to adequately perceive criticism in our address. So getting some rest is one way to reduce stress at work.

9. Eat right and drink enough water

No, there is no need to attack the machine with chocolates once again at lunchtime. Eat wholesome, wholesome food, and remember to drink enough water. If we are full and not thirsty, we are energetic, able to perform our work duties with greater productivity.

10. Keep your desktop tidy

Clutter can make your thoughts clutter. You’re already nervous enough at work that it’s best not to aggravate. And then you can work more focused and more efficiently.

11. Say no to multitasking mode

Multitasking is not effective at all. Clifford Nuss, professor of psychology at Stanford University, argues that this regime takes more time from us than it saves us. It is more difficult for us to concentrate and show all our creativity.

Instead of tackling several things at once, it's better to focus on one task, but do it well. Make yourself a to-do list for the day, prioritize and don't chase two birds with one stone.

12. Accept people for who they are

We cannot change the character of others. Try to be polite and not get overwhelmed by trifles. Maintain good relationships with colleagues.

If you are to blame, then do not try to shift the blame onto someone else. If someone annoys you, try to calm down, count to 10, and only then say something to that person.

13. Rid yourself of sedentary workdays

Don't spend eight hours of work as if you're chained to a chair. Run up and down the stairs, or do a couple of circles around the office. You can even give yourself a 10-minute exercise and invite colleagues to join.

Sedentary working days in front of a computer monitor guarantee health problems: excess weight, blurred vision, heart disease.

14. Reward yourself

If you have successfully completed an important project or achieved excellent results, then reward yourself. Dine at a restaurant, buy a new gadget you've been dreaming about for so long, or just your favorite chocolate bar.

15. Reflect on your goals and successes

Why are you working so hard, what is the goal that drives you? Answer this question and save it anywhere: in a gadget or a paper notebook. Also try to write down all your work successes and achievements.

Whenever you need a nudge to work on a complex project or are just moping, refer to your notes. They will remind you why it is so important not to give up.