Are you excited to wake up and go into work every morning?
I bet if I’d ask this question at the beginning of 2020, your answer would be very different then what current research reveals. According to CNBC, 38 percent of American workers say they are happier with their jobs now.[i]
A happy outlook is certainly good for your company as it’s one of those contagious emotions in a good way. Employees are far more productive when happy and less likely to leave the company. It’s also linked to transformational leadership, better customer service outcomes, and generally is associated with workplace success.[ii]
And yes, there are considerable upswings advantages for you as well. Numerous studies demonstrate that happy individuals are successful across multiple life domains, including marriage, friendship, income, work performance, and health. Happiness leads to success.[iii] It is a multiplier in your life—a gift you give yourself.
In case you haven’t caught the wave of happiness, how about exploring some tips for drawing it to you.
It isn’t hard if you choose to take the steps. A combined study by Harvard Business Review and The Energy Projects identified four basic needs vital to you wellbeing and your work experience:
- Physical, through opportunities to regularly renew and recharge at work;
- Emotional, by feeling valued and appreciated for your contributions;
- Mental, when you have the opportunity to focus on and be absorbed in your most important tasks and define when and where the work gets done;
- Higher Purpose, by doing more of what you do best and enjoy most, and by feeling connected to it at work.
Research reveals a correlation between the mood you come into work with and the happiness you experience throughout the day. You can laser focus your attention on the troublesome circumstances—or chose a change of awareness. External situations don’t have to trap you in a mood. They don’t have to determine whether you’re happy or not. Try my H.A.P.P.Y. formula.
Hope has you living in the outcome of your future rather than stuck in the dips experienced along the way.
Action has you steadily moving toward satisfaction rather than wallowing in discouraging setbacks.
Positively embrace the lows and the highs knowing that everything happens for your greater good.
Pride in who you are, what you do, how you do it, and the outcomes you’re creating have you living a happy life.
Yippee! Run into your day with arms wide open, excited to embrace all that life brings your way.
Let me share a couple of tips to rev-up your daily happiness factor.
- My dear friend, Alice Brouhard, wakes up every morning at 5:30 a.m., rain, snow, or dark, to walk. This commitment sets a positive tone for the day. And she so needs it. Alice is in a field where circumstances can be daunting. She’s a pioneer in employing technology to enable people with traumatic brain injuries (TBI) to lead successful, self-sufficient lives as the founder of TechAble LLC (com/in/alice-brouhard-aa451773. Is physical action something that resonates with you?
- Silver Rose, another dear friend and fellow management consultant believes: Happy people are productive people. As such, she’s launched a YouTube Channel where she focuses exclusively on the topic of happiness. Is learning more about happiness your next step forward? Here’s a link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIY205VootQ
- I start my morning off with prayer, and gratitude. I can’t imagine who I would be if I didn’t practice this happiness habit. I do know the days I feel rushed are days I rarely am centered. Does adding quiet time sound as though it’s the right action for you to take?
- One client shared with me how he loves setting his alarm 15 minutes early, so he has time to play and laugh with his kids. He says: It adds bounce to my step. I call that happiness! Perhaps, this is something you’d like to make your habit.
Whatever you choose today, keep in mind, determining your attitude and creating the best environment for it to flourish is the key to your happiness. What are you going to take on to make your life happier—and more productive? It is in your hands, after all!
[i] https://www.cnbc.com/2020/05/18/workers-who-still-have-jobs-are-happier-but-working-harder-survey.html
[ii] https://www.workstars.com/recognition-and-engagement-blog/2019/09/23/5-studies-that-show-why-employee-happiness-benefits-the-workplace/
[iii] https://www.happify.com/hd/whats-so-great-about-happiness/
