How to Find Happiness at Work

Have you ever watched that scene from the original Snow White movie when Snow White sings ‘Whistle While You Work’? Snow White and her little animal friends have to clean up the dwarves’ cottage, but instead of complaining they face it head on singing: “Whistle while you work”. Part of that song goes, “When hearts are high the time will fly, so whistle while you work.”

What is your attitude to work? Do you relish going to work every day or has work become something you would prefer to avoid? A 2013 survey by Gallup Poll found that worldwide unhappy workers outnumber happy workers two to one. The study collected data from 74,000 people in 142 countries and discovered that only 13% of people were happily engaged at work, while about 24% were unhappy and the remainder were pretty indifferent to their job.

In Australia many people think it’s normal to hate their job. They perceive work as drudgery, a daily grind, exertion, effort, a chore, a duty. But in some countries there is an expectation that work should be fun and rewarding, particularly in certain countries. Germany and the Netherlands consistently rate very well when it comes to job satisfaction. In Denmark, ranked as the happiest nation in the world on a number of indicators, there is even a special word for feeling happy at work – Arbejdsglæde.

After all these years I still love my job as a motivational speaker. I am an outgoing person who likes people and public speaking gives me the chance to meet people and also to try to help them get more out of life. To me work is not about making a living, it is about making a life. You see, I have a job but I don’t ‘work’, I have fun! I believe that work is meant to be enjoyed not endured. Work should deliver personal fulfilment. Work should create something for us and in us. The highest award for man’s work is not what he gets for it but who he becomes by it. What is your work turning you into? A grouch, a gossip, someone who is angry or bored?

Work in many ways is therapy. It can be good for your health. You can work hard and let off steam. If you succeed in your profession, you will never be poor. And it enables us to help others. Earn good money and you can give to worthy causes. Work can also give you a sense of satisfaction. And if you love what you do, you will never have to work another day in your life! If you don’t love your work, then do something else. I read once that there are around 30,000 ways to make a living. Surely you can find one that is going to make you happy?

Have a Sense of Purpose

There are steps you can take to increase your happiness at work. First, you must have a sense of purpose at work. I know a woman who works in a cake shop, but she does so much more than sell cakes. She spends a lot of time talking to elderly people who come to buy cakes. She always has time for a chat and remembers everyone’s name. She is employed in retail, but her purpose at work is to care for people. She has found true meaning in her job. And her attentive and caring attitude means that customers keep coming back for the cakes and her companionship. It’s not what you do that matters, but how you do it. You don’t need a prestigious job to have a sense of purpose at work, but you do need to be truly engaged.

Have a Sense of Belonging

Another way to feel happier at work is to have a sense of belonging. Studies have found that people who ‘feel at home’ at work are more productive and happier. If you are allowed, decorate your work space with possessions from home and even put up your work goals and some motivating mantras. You will also enjoy work more if you have friends there. The Harvard Business Review found that employees who have friends in the workplace find their job more fun, enjoyable and satisfying than friendless employees. But treat all your co-workers with respect. For example, saying thank-you to your colleagues and appreciating their efforts not only makes them feel valued, but research has found that they will be more likely to support and help you in the future.

Take Control of Yourself

Aim to be organised and focussed at work, and accept people for who they are. It is never helpful to play the blame game with colleagues. The only person you are in total control of is yourself. Do not spend time grumbling over what your co-workers do or don’t do at work. A young man once told me that his supervisor wasn’t supporting his professional development. I asked him who he believed was the person at work most interested in his development. “Me,” he answered. In that case, I said that he needed to take control of his professional development. He must ask his boss for specific feedback, and talk to his clients about the level of service he provides. I said he should also find ways to expand professionally outside of work. Was there a course he could enrol in? In addition to this he needed to actively seek out information at work and learn as much about his company and the company’s needs as possible, so he could mould himself into someone who could meet those needs. It would also help if he built up an information network in the office to be across what was happening in the organisation. The truth was that this young man needed to climb the ladder himself, no one was going to push him up it!

Make a Conscious Decision to be Happy

If you want professional happiness, make a conscious decision to be happy at work. Focus on what you like about the job, not what you dislike and avoid negative people in the office. There are some great books out there on how to deal with difficult people at work. And never indulge in office gossip. Gravitate to colleagues who are succeeding in the job and learn from them.

Look for Other Options

At the end of the day if none of these suggestions makes you any happier at work then it is time to have a think about your job, your company and maybe even your career. You are not going to prosper doing something you hate. If you are unhappy at work, start looking at other options. Actively seeking a new job will make you feel better. Perhaps you need to get some additional training or upgrade your qualifications, or even go out on your own and set up a business. Life is just too short to be stuck in a job you dislike. I truly believe that everyone has the ability to find a rewarding career that will deliver prosperity.