How to be happy at work

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In Honor of “International Happiness at Work Day” which is today, Here are 14 things you can do to bring more happiness into your workday.

Finding happiness in your job is essential to having a happy life. If you work a 40-hour work week or more, that is at least 1/3 of your time spent at work. If you aren’t happy, that is a lot of your life spent being unhappy!

#1 Starts with career choice

Happiness at work starts with happiness in your career choice, do you like your job? Do you find enjoyment in it? You know that age-old adage, “If you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life.” And it’s true! If you love your career, it is easy to be happy! If you don’t love your career or job, do you at least like it? Or some aspect of it? If not, maybe it is time to explore different career options.

#2 Work-life balance

Leave work at work. When you go home for the day (or leave your desk for the day) leave your work there! Be at home when you get home and enjoy your family or your pets. Take time to rest and let your mind relax. Go to bed at a decent time to receive the rest your body needs. If you don’t let your mind relax from work your chances of burnout increase.

#3 Be in control

Take control of your job. Don’t let your workday feel like something that is controlling you. Taking control of your day, will help you feel more accomplished and motivated at work.

#4 Get feedback

It is important to know how you are doing at your job. If your manager is happy with your job performance, it is easier for you to be happy with your job performance. Get their feedback, find out what you are doing well and find your pending strengths. Not only will you feel great knowing that you are killing certain aspects of your job, but these conversations can also help you feel motivated to set goals.

#5 Make commitments you can keep

Making commitments is a daily occurrence for any working individual. Over-committing will bring you unnecessary stress. There is however an art to making commitments you can keep. If someone needs something, instead of just saying yes, tell them when you will have time to get it done. Before you commit to doing something take mental stock of the things you need to get done and their priority level. Doing so may not make you happier but will greatly eliminate stress!

#6 Keep it positive

Negativity breeds more negativity. On the flip side, positivity breeds more positivity. No one likes to work with that person in the office who is always stressed and having a bad day. Bringing your best positive attitude will help you and your co-workers be happier at work, therefore, enjoying time at work more.

#7 Make friends

Not knowing or understanding the people you work with can make your workday seem longer. But having people at work, and work friends that you are excited to catch up with makes work a little more enjoyable.

#8 All work and no play…

Mary Poppins explains: “In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun!” It is up to you to find the fun in your job if that is once a week office chair races or the afternoon-slump dance party find what works for you and your work environment and have a little fun!

#9 Choose healthily

It is easy to hit up the closest burger chain for lunch every day or gravitate toward your caffeinated beverage of choice. I know you don’t want to hear it, but those things are sucking the energy out of you. Making healthy choices about what you are eating, and drinking has a great effect on your mood not only at work.

#10 Practice smiling often

Happy people smile because smiling makes you happy! New York-based neurologist Dr. Isha Gupta proved that the act of smiling can increase levels of hormones like dopamine and serotonin in the body. Those are your happy hormones and will chemically change your mood.

#11 Be helpful

There is a great deal of happiness that comes from helping your co-workers. There is of course moderation in that because you still have your job to do. But any time you are feeling down quick way to feel better is a little bit of service.

#12 Why do you do it?

What is your motivation for going to work? If it is your family or fur baby keep a picture at your desk. Write down your why and read it often. Keep it present in the front of your mind, this will help to encourage you on the hard days because even if you love your job some days are still hard.

#13 Make a “Smile File”

This is a collection of your accomplishments, meaningful compliments, and thank you-s from real people you know and love. It can include pictures your kids drew, important memories, and more. Taking ten minutes to remind yourself that you are a valuable asset at work and home is important!

#14 Track your efforts (instead of your accomplishments)

Do you ever have those days where you leave work and it feels like you got nothing done, but you worked all day? This is a sure-fire way to help you feel completely unhappy at work. Studies show that if you track your efforts instead of your accomplishments that it is easier to feel satisfied with your days work. That to do list is important, but who said we couldn’t add things we did throughout the day to it. (Sent that proposal to so-and-so, got a hold of what’s-his-name)

With a 1/3 of our life (or more) spent at work, it is important to find your happiness at work. We hope some of these suggestions will help you to find your happiness at work and break up the day-to-day monotony that plagues so many of the worlds working adults. Is there something you do to help you be happier at work? Let us know what we missed in the comments.

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