What do we talk about when we talk about happiness? There are many people who talk about (and sell) the idea of happiness. In fact, this seems like a fad, similar to being thin or not eating meat. But like everything in life, we must go to those who really study happiness to know what we are talking about: psychologists.
The different theories tell us aspects such as economic well-being or social connections , among others, as those that most influence our happiness. Of course they are important, but how does happiness affect our work environment?
We spend most of our lives at work and, on many occasions, We do it with an emotional tone, let’s say, neutral
If we work, we can get excited about certain projects and we can even feel moments of intense connection with our team. There are moments of happiness. But, in most cases, this state occurs by chance.
Normally we do not associate work with happiness, and this is the beginning of the problem. If we randomly ask several people in a working situation, it is likely that they will tell us that happiness comes from having a job, and that they consider themselves lucky for it. And, as long as that is the case, being happy while working is something rather secondary. We already do other things to be happy, they would tell us.
But, by not associating our work with possible happiness, aren’t we denying an important part of our life? Going to work happy even seems somewhat obscene It is not well seen that someone can express it; The softest thing you will receive are comments referring to how lucky you are, in addition to many other less considered ones.
Greater well-being at work, greater performance
The most curious thing is that research on happiness in the work environment They show the extent to which their influence on productivity and health is enormous. Those who are happy working perform more and have fewer casualties.
A survey carried out by Gallup in 2015 shows that only 32% of American workers declared they were “actively involved” in their jobs. The majority (52%) did not feel involved and 17% considered themselves completely disconnected from their work environment.
We’ll have to do something, don’t you think? A big part of the problem is boredom. Doing the same thing over and over again is a guarantee of being there permanently. Boredom and happiness do not fit together, these are the first changes to make. Seeking the opportunity to learn new strategies and tools, facilitating mobility between company departments, seeking common places to exchange ideas… seem to be some of the best antidotes to combat boredom and promote well-being and excitement in the company
The work routine trap
Another factor that is directly associated with happiness in the work environment has to do with routine. Leaving the office at breakfast or lunch time, having meeting spaces with colleagues from other departments or companies, helps our brain stay in an active tone If, in addition to this, companies dedicated part of their time to promoting exercise and Mindfulness, the effects would be spectacular. It already happens in companies that do it this way.
Reducing endless meeting times , adjusting them to an established schedule and with a moderator who is in charge of distributing the turns, is also a powerful element to dissolve boredom. Short presentations. Short questions. Short task cycles. This seems to be the key to keeping the happiness muscle in shape.
And smile. Doing so is closely linked to happiness. It may seem obvious, but it’s like spreading a rumor: if we smile, we are generating an effect on those around us. There will be those who resist – even actively – but they will have to succumb or find themselves isolated.
Boosting happiness at work
Undoubtedly, we will always have someone who will tell us that if we are not happy with the job, we should leave it. It is a very respectable option. Complicated in these times, but possible. However, it comes from a point of view that happiness comes from outside. Therefore, it is better for us to change our scene than to change ourselves.
If your option is to try the latter, I propose some ideas that may be valuable to begin to turn this happiness thing around in the work environment. This applies to any work reality that we want. In some it will be more complicated, but it is achieved with dedication and conviction. And also, if all levels of the company are convinced of it it will be much easier to do it.
1. Know what makes you happy
It seems easy to evaluate whether or not we are happy, and to what degree we are. This doesn’t mean we do it. But what does seem more complicated is define what makes us happy, personally We are different, unique, so it seems logical that each of us has, let’s put it this way, our own “happy footprint”. That which makes us intimately happy.
This doesn’t just have to do with the work environment, although everything is certainly interconnected. Knowing what makes us happy and putting it into a list to be aware of it is one of the first exercises we propose.
Let us keep in mind that happiness includes both pleasure and purpose , and it is not only the positive emotion that we assume. Let’s write both things. What makes us feel pleasure and what makes us feel actively involved in something.
2. Actively build happiness in your work environment
Happiness doesn’t just happen. We don’t just need to be conscious about what makes us happy, passively. We need to build it. Make it happen.
It’s not easy, especially when we are very busy. It’s like finding time to go to the gym. But once you do it, you can’t live without it! Start little by little with the small ones things that connect you with a sense of purpose and belonging It could be having breakfast with a friend on your break, taking care of a plant you brought to the office, listening to music while you prepare a report… these are small things that add meaning to your work environment. You make it yours.
These seemingly small changes can have a very significant impact on how you feel during work time. You are building your own little environment of personal happiness at work. You can start by thinking about what you would like to change from now on. Make a list of what depends exclusively on you, and another that may contain proposals to reach a consensus with your colleagues, or propose it to your bosses.
3. Look for opportunities that make you feel purpose
It may be that, in most cases, we do not have the opportunity to choose what we want to do, the projects we would like, which people we would work with. Let’s find a way to get involved in what is assigned to us in addition to not failing to let those who direct us see what our interests would be, what projects you would like to be in.
In a way it is about transmitting interest and involvement. If we do it in something that we have been assigned, why not do it in something that would also excite us!
4. Know what gives you energy and what doesn’t
In this we are also unique. For some people, collaborating and working with others to solve challenges makes us feel alive. For others, being able to pay full attention to the details and see it from different points of view creates a feeling of flow. There are those who prefer to work as a team and those who do not. Consider what makes you feel more energetic, it is essential that you know. Also that which does not. Because, at some times you will inevitably have to do it.
Paradoxically, when one knows both, one performs better – and is happier – both in the situations that we like the most and in those that do not excite us. By being aware of the latter, and eliminate negative expectations towards them we relaxed, and we felt surprisingly much better.
5. Identify what makes you unhappy
Of course this is not a bed of roses. There are times when it seems like everything is going wrong A bad day, marked by an unpleasant situation, can make us feel really miserable. Even if we try to change it, it will happen. But we should not think that a bad day means a bad life. On the contrary, recognizing the bad moments will make us appreciate the good ones even more, and work to enhance them.
