Happiness and Work

Happiness and work don’t always go hand in hand, but life is so much better when it does. Do you like your job but feel a little stagnant? Did you used to like your job, but now it’s sucking the life out of you?

It’s called work for a reason. No matter how much you like your job the daily frustrations can be challenging. Most of us spend 1/3 of our lives at work so if you can find a way to have fun and find happiness at work wouldn’t that be wonderful? This is especially true when you’re over 40 and have been doing the same thing for a long time.

What can you do to make happiness and work a perfect marriage?

• Use humor throughout your work day. Sharing laughter helps us bond with each other and builds stronger relationships.
  
  

• Ask for help. Get help with small issues before they become big issues. Asking for help is NOT a sign of weakness.
  
  

• Stop and take a break when everything seems to be going wrong.
  
  

• Don’t be a martyr and volunteer for more than you can handle.
  
  

• Celebrate the success of your co-workers instead of being jealous or resentful.
  
  

• Keep learning new skills – challenge yourself at every opportunity to keep things interesting.
  
  

• Keep work at work. There are times when it’s necessary to take work home with you, but try to make this the exception rather than the rule.
  
  

• Make a list of all the things you appreciate about your job, your employer, and your co-workers. Yes, even the ones who drive you nuts.
  
  

• Stay away from the water cooler gossip. You know that people love to complain – don’t buy into that.
  
  

• Accept criticism and use it as an opportunity to improve. It’s such a human thing to get defensive when we’re criticized isn’t it? No one likes to hear about their weaknesses. It’s those of us who learn and grow from criticism who succeed.
  
  

• Learn to appreciate change. You will have a much better time of things if you accept new management, new duties, new policies, and new co-workers. It’s the people who resist change that have the hardest time.