Forcing a Smile Can Make You Happy
Thursday, March 5th, 2009
(If you can’t see this video then click here and visit Work Happy Now to view it.)
Forcing a smile can alter your physical momentum. Yoga has taught the method of forced laughter to bring in good feelings. So give it a try. Next time you are in need of a pick-me-up, try slapping a smile on your grumpy face.
Devil is in the Details
The quality of this video isn’t up to snuff, but I still like the message of this video so I’m going to post it anyway. My promise to you over these next few weeks is to make improvements, so you can watch without being distracted by my cheap video camera.
It reminds me of a saying: “The devil is in the details.” When we keep on making little improvements every single day we find that little devil and exercise it out.
My little devil is finding a better way to deliver video to you. I could be lazy and just say it’s good enough, but I believe that’s not what working happy now is all about.
I’m trying to make small improvements every day to make my message a little more awesome. Because the more value I deliver, the more you want to keep coming back.
If you liked this video article you’ll like these too:
Such a simple change like smiling can make a huge difference. I’m enjoying the videos, Karl!
I’m smiling right now, and planning to wear special underwear (just read/saw that post.) Funny! And useful.
Perfect timing! Very nice. Check out my recent post if you get a moment! Have a nice day!
Thanks for making me smile first thing this morning, Karl. You are so cute.
It seems like a negligible advice. But smiling does change your mood. A better mood makes for better work.
Good video and great points.
I like how smiles are contagious.
I didn’t notice any quality issues in the video that got in the way. If this is a fast and easy way for you to get your message up and out, I’d stick with it. Reducing friction and overhead is the key to flowing information these days.
Good reminder for people. Plus, don’t they always say it takes a lot more muscles in your face to frown then it does to smile?
(Ok I think that may have been disproven.)
Anyway, I thought the video quality was fine. One of the reasons your blog is one of my faves is because I DO seeing you always providing tons of value. Thanks!
Hi Larissa, such a small change goes a long way.
Hi Sue, glad I could help put a smile on your face.
Hi Mark, I’ll check it out tonight.
Hi LA, Thanks.
Hi Johanna, as long as it works, that’s all that matters.
Hi J.D., Good point. If you didn’t see a big problem then maybe I’m being a little too hard on myself.
Hi Christine, it’s a nice thought. I think I’ll choose to still believe the myth.
I really enjoyed your video Karl. I’ve just started putting up videos of myself on my new site (rawfoodswitch.com) and I’ve been feeling some resistance to it too. Like the video quality, how I look, how silly I seem, and shy, oh my!
I love your message: I’ve noticed that forcing a smile works wonders. It works when you’re nervous before an interview, or if you just got some bad news. Smiling can totally disarm your defenses and change your perspective.
Woohoo, I’m smiling right now! See you around the blogosphere, smiling of course.
Hi Karl,
An important message, and one that we can’t hear too often. A smile really does spark a change. And the thing about smiling is that if someone else sees you doing it, then that smile can become contagious and spread – and that’s something worth spreading! So, this is good – even though I tend to be pretty happy – I’m not thinking about smiling as I’m getting out of my car at work, or as I’m leaving at night. So, being more conscious of smiling will be good for me…
Smiling always makes me feel better even if I don’t want to feel better! They are contagious. I don’t know about the muscle myth (smile vs frown) but I do know that for me anyway, frowning takes more effort than smiling. Smiling is so much easier and more relaxing!
Hi Karl,
Great message in your video. I’m big on smiling and I try to make sure my “default” expression is a smile. Not a big goofy one, just a friendly expression. It really does help to change my mood – it gets even better when someone returns the smile!
I’m looking forward to your next video!
AloooHA, Karl.
I have been a frenetic fan of the CHO for a couple of years, now.
It was through reading one of his posts that I first heard about Laughter Yoga.
That started me up to go and get trained as a Laughter Yoga Teacher with
it’s founder, Dr. Mandan Kataria. there I met my wife. We are the Laughter Yoga Couple !
I wrote this story to Alex when he posted his marriage proposal in oct last year.
I am thrilled to see you doing this kind of work in the US and would like to connect with you.
My goal is to see Mexican companies in the WorldBlu list in the next couple of years and I am using Laughter Yoga to help co-create Happy Workplaces in Mexico and USA.
I think WorldBlu should be held this year in California since it is the state with more democratic companies in the list. That would be great for me since I live in NorCal
)
Here are a couple of YouTubes about tools I want to use more for Happy Workplaces:
First, a fantastic Laughter Yoga video for the workplaces
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XxCM4pxK_Q&feature=channel_page
And then, Conversations With Horses to get clarity on what we want to accomplish by ourselves and/or with others
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqovhmXM66E&feature=channel_page
Enjoy !
Cheers,
jorge
[...] Karl Staib at Work Happy Now posted a video where he takes only a couple minutes to talk about how Forcing A Smile Can Make You Happy. [...]
[...] Karl Staib writes about unlocking and kicking open the door to working happy at his own blog: Work Happy Now! If you enjoyed this article, you may like to subscribe to his feed, follow him on Twitter or read one of his most popular articles, Forcing a Smile Can Make You Happy. [...]
[...] Karl Staib writes about unlocking and kicking open the door to working happy at his own blog: Work Happy Now! If you enjoyed this article, you may like to subscribe to his feed, follow him on Twitter or read one of his most popular articles, Forcing a Smile Can Make You Happy. [...]