Inspiring Workplaces
The Way Work Ought to Be! |
ISSUE 1,013 - Mar. 20, 2024 |
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Finding Happiness at Work on International Day of Happiness |
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Today, March 20 is International Day of Happiness, so I am re-sharing an extremely popular past edition on what might be robbing us all of being happier than we might otherwise be at work. I am speaking about those sneaky, sometimes under-the-radar happiness
thieves that might be depriving us of our happiness. Here are six of the biggest workplace happiness thieves to watch out for.
1. Constantly seeking external validation. Yes, in an ideal world we would all get standing ovations at work every day for the fabulous work we are doing, but if you come to rely too heavily on external validation, I guarantee that this will be a recipe for disappointment. Happiness is an inside job - don't outsource your happiness to other people!
2. Unrealistic expectations. Life isn't one long beer commercial or social media profile where everyone is perennially HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY! Happiness is a temporary state of mind and expecting to be happy every moment and expecting to find joy in every aspect of our work is unrealistic. Aim instead for contentment, which sounds like an emotional demotion, but true contentment is much longer lasting than happiness and accompanied by deeper feelings of satisfaction
and gratitude.
3. Comparing yourself to others. Happiness researchers all agree that the scourge of "comparison-itis" is a huge happiness drainer. To slay the beast of comparison-itis cultivate a mindset of gratitude for what you have, learn to compete only with your former self and not with other people, and enthusiastically celebrate the success of the people around you.
4. Over-identifying with your career. While it may be a worthwhile goal to "love your job," if you over-identify with your work you run the risk of prioritizing work over other aspects of your life (such as sleep, anyone?).
5. Focusing on material things over experiences. Every happiness researcher agrees with this one. Focusing on the "stuff" your work can provide you with or focusing only on your salary and not the intrinsic motivators at work will detract you from being happier than you might otherwise be. Cultivating ways to improve your sense of meaning and purpose at work and focusing your time and dollars on experiences over "stuff" is a proven way to be
significantly happier.
6. Pursuing happiness. This is a big one that fuels so much of our behaviors, yet it's been shown that chasing happiness is like a tail-less dog chasing its tail. Scads of research shows that the pursuit of happiness can actually make us unhappy because we are never satisfied with where we are at the moment or what we currently have. We fall into the trap of constantly saying, "I'll be happy when ______." So, we end up constantly chasing after the
unattainable because there is no finish line!
Well, okay, there is the big finish line, which ought to prompt us all, as hard as it can be sometimes, to live in the moment, be grateful for what we have, and enjoy the journey! Practice mindfulness and everyday moments of gratitude. If you focus on making the people around you happier, celebrate and appreciate the small stuff, and connect to a greater sense of purpose and meaning, happiness will be a natural by-product of a life well-lived.
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Mike's Fun at Work Tip |
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Friday March 22 is your chance to boldly speak the way no one has spoken before! Yes, it's a wacky one, which is exactly why you need to do this. It's official Talk Like William Shatner Day! It's.Your. Chance to speak. Like THIS. All. Day. Long. Yes. All. Day.
If you're feeling particularly Shatnery, you can encourage your customers to speak like William Shatner for a small prize, have meeting participants speak like Shatner for your entire meeting, or award a prize for the best William Shatner impersonation. Just. Make sure. You. Have. Fun!
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Quote of the Week |
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“Good leadership requires you to surround yourself with people of diverse perspectives who can disagree with you without fear of retaliation.” Doris Kearns Goodwin
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Funny Business |
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As seen on an elevator sign:
20 PERSONS or 1500 KG
ALTERNATIVE
1 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT
1 HIPPO
6 GRIZZLY BEARS
65 LUGGAGE BAGS
454 CHIHUAHUAS
3061 SEAGULLS
12,712 BANANAS
10,000 SNICKER BARS
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Cost-Saving Opportunities to
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