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| Tricks to Make Work a Source of Happiness |
The COVID-19 pandemic has redefined the meaning of being happy at work, especially thanks to the boundaries between 'office work' and 'home activities' which are biased due to months of quarantine isolation. With transitions and work choices that are more diverse and far from conventional norms, is it possible to make work a source of happiness?
First of all, let's define the word 'happiness' in work. Is happiness an emotion that comes naturally from the success of a project, or does happiness have a deeper meaning than just productivity? While you – and also Cosmo – are thinking about it in your heart, Nic Marks, the CEO of Happiness Works breaks down its definition in three emotional points:
- Enthusiasm, namely the energy that makes a person optimize the potential to grow.
- Interest, namely the energy that makes a person focus on carrying out various challenging tasks at work.
- Satisfaction, which is the energy that makes a person *shine* from successfully achieving something, which can then spark motivation to repeat the same success.
Even several studies have proven that there is a relationship between happiness at work and the success of a company. Yup , the scale of influence is large, right? One of them is a study initiated by the Journal of Applied Psychology that employees who are happy and have a level of satisfaction at work, will be more loyal, creative and cooperative to colleagues and the company. Happiness at work leads to reduced excuses for absences from work, sick leave and chronic frustration. Even the iOpener Institute reveals that employees who feel happy at work are twice as productive and 65% more energetic than those who are unhappy. In a way, happiness is the first step to achieve success. Because someone will work based on love, not because of necessity.
Even though we as individuals, even as an entity as big as a company, cannot control all the factors of happiness so that we are always ~positive~ at work (and of course we cannot always depend on the stakeholders for happiness at work), but at least according to "Arbedjsglæde" (read: general terms in Danish about feeling happy doing something), there is a formula to build a happy foundation at work:
- Feel comfortable doing the task assigned
- Get along well with colleagues who work together
- Feel happy with the financial benefits obtained
- Feel the opportunity to improve yourself
- Feeling respected and valued at work
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| Tricks to Make Work a Source of Happiness |
"Theboegis.co"Now try to ask yourself, can you tick all of the boxes above? If so, congrats! You are lucky to be a happy person at work. But over time, are there points – whether from company policy factors, passion within yourself, or the transition from how to work since the pandemic broke out – that make you feel that it's no longer relevant to being happy at work? Try these tips to rediscover that happiness:
Take a short walk
If you are used to getting to the office on foot from the MRT station or bus stop, then try to enjoy this sightseeing moment with your full attention. People watching or seeing the panorama of the sky can give the mind pause to focus on being present at this moment. This trick can also be applied to take a break from feeling dizzy when working at home, or from wherever your workplace is. Try a few minutes of walking around your workspace to stimulate your body for a short workout. We all know that exercise can release a feeling of happiness, right? So, do it lightly in your work routine too.
Eat healthy
This one piece of advice is not only effective when echoing the healing trend during the pandemic, because eating healthy food can *indeed* make you happier overall. Nutritious foods will affect your blood sugar levels, so the effect can affect your mood . Try to bring your own homemade food , or just bring your favorite sliced fruit instead of ordering junk food and sugary drinks for your snack ritual while working.
Bring a personal souvenir
To liven up a sense of connection and happiness while working outside the home, try bringing personal items that you like to your desk, such as your favorite mug for coffee, or simply displaying a few postcards from your travel collection that make you remember beautiful memories. Looking at it for a moment while resting your eyes from the screen will definitely make you smile a little instantly.
Tidy up your desk
Erm , if until now you are still postponing spring-cleaning your work desk that hasn't been cleaned for a long time since the pandemic... then now is the time (seriously, okay) to tidy it up. Because a clean desk will not only make you excited to work on Monday at the start of the week, but will also make you work in a relaxed and controlled manner.
Dress like a pro
Or appear like an executive that you emulate, whether working in an office or even at home. Wear your favorite oversized blazer or try getting a fresh pixie cut , that you've wanted to achieve for a long time when you got your dream job. You are also happy every time you see that cool image in the mirror, so that it will increase your confidence at work.
Forgive the situation
It means? Well , there may be a little emotional pain that arises from work, work, or the work environment, and usually it's inevitable. But try to admit your upset feelings, but then, let it go. Forgive everyone who bothers you, whether it's an offensive word that just enters your ear in passing~ or a failure in an element while working on a project. Forgiving will make you happier in general.
Request a 1-on-1 session with a superior
In fact, one of the factors that influence happiness at work is being appreciated by the company. So, don't hesitate to ask for feedback from your boss to get learning as well as appreciation for your work performance. By knowing it, who knows you will be more literate about the motivation to work – or even better – understand the purpose and meaning of your role in this job.
Consistently complete the to-do-list
In order to prevent being overwhelmed at work, which in turn can stress you out, try to make a simple to-do list, and stick to it. Even try to write it down in detail, for example you need to hold a video shoot project , then lay out small but crucial tasks such as coordinating a row of talent and crew, so you will see that slowly the boxes you have to work on start to tick one by one. Look at that relieved smile you have, now.
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| Tricks to Make Work a Source of Happiness |
Greet each other every morning
Instead of coming to work with a sullen face behind that mask, try pushing yourself to greet your coworkers every morning. No need for long pleasantries, just spreading and receiving friendly greetings from other people will get you positive energy that is channeled to each other. Psstt , even Cosmo's advice , don't hesitate to praise your co-workers who have just successfully executed a task well! The ripple of positive energy is contagious, and Cosmo is sure, making other people smile thanks to your kindness can make your heart fill .
Understand the purpose of the profession
More than knowing the job description you hold, understand (or find out) the purpose of your role in the company's vision and mission, even more than that, try to examine it from a broader scope: How does your profession function in society? For example, you are a data analyst , of course your role is useful to provide solutions in solving business problems, but the indirect impact that you contribute to society is the policies and decisions that companies make thanks to the interpretation of your data to meet the needs and convenience of the public. Sometimes your role is much bigger than a work beyond the desk.
Be proud
Do you know the purpose of your professional existence? Nice, now have a pride in what you do . By having a sense of pride in the work you are doing, you will experience an increased mood in productivity. Just imagine, you will have more meaning in your role and 'take care' of the profession with extra attention. Your work will improve, so does your heart's content.
Sleep soundly
Yup, Cosmo isn't messing around with this one tip. Many studies have shown that sleep and mood are linked, so if you go beyond good quality sleep, well ... you're more likely to get annoyed over trivial things, and eventually stress out, ugh. Please love yourself more . Commit to establishing a quality bedtime routine, as simple as stopping talking about work past nine at night. Get some rest, and rise in the morning with healthy emotional maturity.