People like to think that happiness is an achievement away. If I get this promotion, I'll be happy. Or, once I achieve this sale, I'll finally relax. But that's not the way things are. There will always be another goal to pursue, so any joy you get from your successes will be temporary. There will always be more to do, more you wish you had done.
Although your success will not make you happy, on the contrary, happiness can make you more successful. An analysis of 225 studies found strong evidence of a link between life satisfaction and successful business outcomes, and research consistently shows that happier people are more creative, dedicated and productive.
Here are 3 things you can do to be happier at work.
During the financial crisis, a researcher conducted an experiment with a group of workers. He wanted to see if he could make them happier by getting them to adopt a simple habit. He asked everyone to choose one of the following five activities:
Participants did their chosen activity every day for 3 weeks. At the end of the 3 weeks, participants were assessed by a control group to see what effect the new habits had. They found that, in general, the experimental group's scores were significantly higher including categories such as engagement, depression and optimism. Four months after the experiment ended, participants scored even higher on optimism and life satisfaction. Adopting a simple habit had lasting benefits for their happiness. Here you can find 6 habits that will give you more power for your work.
The relationship between socialisation and happiness is well known. Relying on regular friendly interactions in the workplace will make you a happier employee. So praise your colleagues' good work and ask them how they feel. Supporting others is a great way to strengthen your relationships and it shows that you're not just worried about yourself. Try to distance yourself from toxic people in your workplace and don't try to waste energy by confronting them. Instead, invest in positive people who lift your spirits. Build interpersonal relationships with these colleagues, because every kind of happiness has the same basis and that is interpersonal relationships.
The most rewarding experiences in your career are going to involve obstacles, and dealing with obstacles means you are experiencing some stress. Stress can't be eliminated, but you can respond in a healthy way. When you are facing stress, the first thing you need to do is to take the attitude that you will respond well. A positive attitude helps you focus on your work, making it more likely that you will perform under the pressure you are facing instead of becoming frustrated.
Much of your problem solving is focused on what you can control rather than worrying about the rest. The next time you feel stressed, try this exercise: Make two lists of things that cause you stress - one list of things you can control (an email you need to write) and one list of things you can't (the news). Choose one item from the list of things you can check and take a small, specific step to resolve it. Doing this will restore your focus on your actions, reminding your brain that no matter the circumstances, you retain the power of choice.
To discover happiness through your work is to give yourself half your life, because you have invested so much time every day in your work for almost all of your adult life.
More articles in "Self Awareness & Development":
– Slow Life - The new trend that became a cult!
– The theory of randomness in our career choices
– What? Are you afraid to succeed in life?
– The six habits that give you strength!
How-To Tips
– Coronavirus: how to work from home without stress
– Personal brand: how to build your professional identity
Tips for Students
– Panhellenic Examinations - Career Advice for Young Students
– After university... What?
– 5+1 career tips for a 20-year-old student.
Career Counsellor / Career Guidance
Member of the Greek Association of Consulting, Coaching & Mentoring-HCCMA
After completing my studies in Political Science and Public Administration at the University of Athens, I attended seminars in Customer Service, Public Relations and Sales in order to add more value to the services I offer. In recent years,I started a new chapter in my life through Life Coaching and Career Counseling and my Vision is to help people have a successful career path combined with balance in their personal life.
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