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Because ‘happiness’ isn’t just for your personal life

If you’re reading this, you’ve probably already know our philosophy:  The ROI of Happiness.  For us that means that ‘happiness’ and ‘the bottom line’ aren’t mutually exclusive.

One of our inspirations for the ROI of Happiness was The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin.  A couple of years ago, Gretchen – a writer and journalist by trade – decided she wanted to be happier, and spent a year trying out all the self-help books, workshops, scientific theories and pop-culture remedies to see which one(s) actually worked.

When most of us think about ‘happiness’ and how to be happier in our day-to-day lives, we tend to think about our personal lives, not our work lives.  We all know that our jobs and careers are a huge factor in overall happiness, but when self-help books or life coaches address the subject, they tend to focus on the big picture (i.e. “Don’t be afraid to quit your job, go back to school, and reinvent yourself in a whole new career!”) rather than smaller, day-to-day changes they recommend  for your personal life.

12 happiness tips for your whole life – including work!

After her year of experimenting, Gretchen came up with ‘12 Personal Commandments’.  Like most guidelines to happiness and fulfillment, at first glance they don’t seem to have much to do with work/jobs/career.  But take another look:  these are great tips for being happy at work and in your personal life.

1. Be [your name]. You may never care enough about money or power to become president of your organization – that’s okay!  Accepting who you are and what your personal career path will look like will make you happier than trying to live up to someone else’s goals.
2. Let it go. So a co-worker took credit for your work on something 3 months ago – don’t let it make you crazy
3. Act the way I want to feel. You know how energized and excited you feel during the first few weeks in a new job?  Try bringing that excitement and energy to your current job – the more you ‘fake’ enthusiasm, the more you’ll start to feel it for real.
4. Do it now. Stop looking at that pile of expense receipts on your desk – stay an extra hour tonight and do your expense report.  You’ll feel better immediately.
5. Be polite and be fair. When you have to spend 40+ hours a week with people, basic manners and a sense of fair play will make day-to-day interactions much more positive.
6. Enjoy the process. Having long-term career goals is great, but it’s hard to achieve the corner office if you don’t genuinely enjoy the work you did for the 10+  years it took you to achieve it.
7. Spend out. Hoarding your vacation days for some unspecified future trip that hasn’t even been scheduled yet?   You’d get more happiness out of taking a day or two now to play golf, go to the spa, or visit a museum.
8. Identify the problem. Frustrated because you haven’t been promoted or received the raise you think you deserve?  Stop stewing about it, and go ask your manager to give you some feedback!
9. Lighten up. 99% of the time, you’ll be happier if you don’t take your job – or your title – too seriously.
10. Do what ought to be done. So you’re putting up with a second-rate supplier because the thought of doing an RFP process seems like a big ordeal.  Guess what?  The RFP process will be more than outweighed by having a first-rate supplier.
11. No calculation. Stop thinking about your relationships with co-workers as transactional (i.e. “I helped you with X project, so now you have to help me with Y project”).  The less you keep score, the more you’ll enjoy helping your teammates.
12. There is only love. Your co-workers, managers and direct reports may sometimes seem like they’re trying to drive you crazy on purpose, but they’re not – don’t assume malice where none exists.  Assume good intentions, and you’ll enjoy coming to work more.