TIPS ON HOW TO BE HAPPY AT WORK

We spend majority of our lives working, so it makes sense to choose a job that brings us some level of happiness.

Covid-19 has changed our day-to-day life as well as the outlook for people and businesses. It's not just our physical health that's at risk. Our mental health has also taken a hit, with the economic uncertainty, sporadic lockdowns and shift to remote working. As a result, employees around the world are feeling unprecedented levels of stress and anxiety, according to bodies such as the World Health Organization and the Lancet Commission on Global Mental Health.

If the rising cost of living, career demands, and the constant striving for work-life balance meant a high level of stress for many of us pre-Covid-19, the challenges are greater now. No wonder businesses and organizations are doubling down on efforts to prioritize employee well-being. Things like routine "check-ins," mentoring programs, and company-sponsored mindfulness training are increasingly becoming the norm.

But are there actions we can take at an individual level to protect our wellbeing? What can we personally do to boost our own resilience, manage stress, safeguard our feelings of purpose and positivity, and bring our "best selves" to work in spite of the uncertainty?

Below, we share our top tips on how to stay happy at work. 

Find a Job you Enjoy

For some people, a fulfilling career may entail finding a job that allows them to use skills they are proud of. In other cases, a rewarding career may be work that you are passionate about or find personally satisfying.

Every employee is not happy at work every day, and even jobs that you are passionate about can be frustrating or tedious at times. However, if your job is something you enjoy and are proud of, you are more likely to be happy at work. Examine yourself, your skills, and your interests to find something you can do every day.

Self-Development 

Take care of your professional development. In today’s working world experience is key, so ask for training opportunities to develop and improve your skills.  Take charge of your own development by investing in your personal and professional growth. Create a career plan and goals, and then pursue them.

Request specific and meaningful assistance from your boss. Look for tasks that will help you reach career milestones or learn new skills. Pursue opportunities and connections that interest you, even if your current employer isn't creating them for you.

You are more likely to be satisfied in your current position if you feel in control of your career and can see yourself improving and growing.

Ask for Feedback 

Receiving feedback on your work can either provide positive reinforcement that makes you feel valued, or it can fill in key skill and understanding gaps that will help you do your job and fit more successfully into your work environment. Employees who do not receive this feedback from their managers, on the other hand, frequently feel undervalued, unable to do their jobs, and unhappy at work.

If you aren't getting regular feedback from your boss, start being proactive about asking for it. Request feedback from your boss at the end of major projects, or discuss with the management team the implementation of regular employee assessments to help everyone succeed in their jobs.

Talk to your customers, too; if you're serving them well, their feedback will be affirming. The more feedback you receive, the more likely you are to be successful at your job. This will lead to more positive reinforcement that increases your sense of happiness at work.

Talk to your Colleagues 

Keeping a good relationship with your colleagues will brighten up your mood every day. It also helps you make yourself more comfortable in your workplace. Find your people. Hang out with coworkers who share your values and interests. This can take a lot of pressure off you at work. Being able to share your feelings and concerns with people who understand definitely helps to minimize stress.

If you dread coming to work on a Monday morning, perhaps you're not getting the job satisfaction that you deserve in your current role. We have loads of amazing opportunities available, whether you're an IT Infrastructure professional or looking to start a career in recruitment - feel free to get in touch.

Be Organised and Don't Bite off More Than You Can Chew

Create a manageable schedule to handle your workload. When you accomplish something, you'll feel empowered, no matter how small of a win it was. On the other hand, if you feel overwhelmed, you'll be more dissatisfied on the job. Being proactive and getting your tasks in order can lead to greater satisfaction, more confidence, and motivation.

Failure to keep commitments is one of the most serious causes of work stress and unhappiness. Employees frequently spend more time making excuses for failing to keep a commitment and worrying about the consequences of incomplete tasks than they do working.

Create a system for tracking your commitments and managing your schedule to reduce stress and unhappiness at work. Maintain sufficient organisation so that you can quickly and accurately determine whether you are able to commit to a request or a new assignment. If you don't have time, don't volunteer for extra work or office tasks.

Reward Yourself

Identify a reward outside of your job, and indulge yourself. Whether it be dinner with friends, a movie, exercise, or a manicure, treat yourself every once in awhile. Just as stress from home can interfere with work, the positive aspects of your life can influence mood at work as well.

Focus on the Positive

Find the things that bring you joy at work, even if those things are as simple as your coworkers or the nice view from the conference room window. You're in charge of your own mindset. Steering yourself toward the positives can help make your job more enjoyable. Fussing about the negatives may cause you to become burned out.

Participating in a toxic work environment will increase your unhappiness, regardless of how much you enjoy your job. Choosing to be happy at work entails avoiding as much as possible negative conversations, gossip, and unhealthy work relationships.

Negative people have a profound effect on your subconscious, regardless of how positive you feel. If you notice that certain groups at work are more likely to engage in negative behaviours such as gossip or complaining, try to avoid them. If that isn't possible, try to steer the conversation towards more positive topics.

You don't need to love your job, but it shouldn't make you miserable on a regular basis. If creating any happiness at work feels impossible, you may be stuck in a toxic work culture or a job that simply cannot be a good fit for you.

In that case, it may be time to re-evaluate your employer, your job, or your entire career. Even if you have to remain in your current position for a while longer, actively searching for a new job that is more in line with your professional interests and personal values may be the best thing you can do to gain a sense of control and put a smile on your face once more.

If you want to begin searching for the job which will make you happy but don;t know where to start. We're here. Contact us to today to find out the amazing opportunities to help you find that job to make you smile.