Archive for July, 2009
Use Your Time Off
(Can’t see the video? Then try watching it at Work Happy Now)
Your time off from work is probably underutilized. You may use it to run errands or tie up loose ends, but you should be using it for your mental and physical health. A stressed out you won’t be happy and productive at work if you aren’t in a balanced state.
This video post talks about the importance of using your time off to its full advantage.
Read the rest of this entry »
5 Comments »
Does Your Company Need an Extreme Makeover?
You probably already know if your company needs to change its culture. You can feel it in your gut. So why don’t companies take steps to improve when it’s clear that change is needed?
Instead, most companies keep going along with the same techniques year after year, ultimatly, making the company culture worse. There are only so many times a person can attend the same old training begin to feel nauseous. I’ve literally felt dizzy during a meeting because it was so repetitive and tedious. I couldn’t believe that management could be so out of touch with their employees.
Most of you have probably worked for a company like this. All you can do is shake your head at most of the decisions and wonder why they don’t care about your opinion.
4 Comments »
Feeling Comfortable in Your Skin
(Can’t see the video? Then try watching it at Work Happy Now)
I’ve repeatedly made the mistake of letting one problem bring me down. There are always 1,000 other things we can focus on.
Enjoying a difficult relationship at work is not easy, but when you are able to break down your happiness into smaller pieces, you will realize that one relationship shouldn’t dictate your happiness. You may have five other friends who treat you with respect, and these are the people who you should enjoy.
Read the rest of this entry »
6 Comments »
Reader Questionnaire 2009, Quick Tip and Mini-Contest
As this site grows, I want you to be a part of its maturation. Without you, there is only me shouting about work happiness into an empty room. That’s no fun.
So I’ve created a short questionnaire in order to help me take Work Happy Now to the next level.
Click here to answer the Work Happy Now questionnaire
If you clicked and answered – Thanks! It means a lot to me. 
***
One quick tip to bring happiness into your work place: Bring your favorite mug or glass in from home for one week. Notice how it makes you feel.
- Does it feel weird?
- Do you like it?
- How is it keeping you happy or throwing off your normal routine?
Why Don’t People Laugh at Work?
This is a guest post from Drew Tarvin
When I first started in the corporate world, I didn’t realize how little my fellow employees laughed. It wasn’t until I started doing corporate stand-up gigs that I noticed the distinct lack of chuckles, giggles, and guffaws in the workplace. The question is, why is laughter missing?
Stand-Up or Sit Down
After my very first corporate stand-up show, I thought I did terrible. No one had laughed as much as they did in the comedy clubs, and it didn’t seem like my jokes resonated with the audience. But after the show, the other comedian I performed with (a veteran on the corporate circuit) congratulated me, saying he was impressed with how well I did. I chalked it up to him trying to spare my feelings.
15 Comments »
Have Fun and Be Weird
(Can’t see the video? Then click here and try watching it at Work Happy Now)
Too many of us get caught up in what our co-workers think of us, instead of letting loose and being a little weird. Zappos has ten values in place, one of which is “Create fun and be a little weird.” Otherwise you’ll be a tight, stressed out co-worker who has trouble having fun at work.
Read the rest of this entry »
12 Comments »
How do I make my people happy?
So you want an atmosphere that encourages great work? Don’t we all. Most bosses and managers talk a good game, but they don’t create a plan to make it happen.
Almost every CEO I worked for always talked about the importance of their people, but their actions did not coincide with their words. They were always more worried about the bottom line.
I know how important it is to make money, but if the employees are happy then believe me, the money will come. That is if you have a good product/service.
It’s why Southwest airlines is the only consistent money generator in the USA airline industry. They believe in creating a culture that encourages happiness.
As a leader of people you need to encourage happiness in every facet of your business. I’ve created 10 techniques that will help your company be happy and successful.
- Be happy yourself.
- Know your people.
- Make time for your people.
- Show people the autonomy that they already have.
- Help them find meaning in their work.
- Listen and respond to their emotions, not their problems.
- Stop letting assholes dictate the company culture.
- Encourage friendships.
- Recognize hard work.
- Find out why people leave.
These are concepts that are easy to understand, but may be hard to apply to your company’s culture. I’ll break them down so you can use them in your company.
18 Comments »
Results are Only 1% of the Story
(Can’t see the video? Then click here and try watching it at Work Happy Now)
There is so much more to a project than just the results. If you play a game to win then you are setting yourself up for emotional pain. If you play to enjoy the game and you win in the process then you are creating emotional freedom.
Read the rest of this entry »
The Target in the Bull(y)’s Eye
* This is a guest post from a reader who wishes to remain anonymous.
I used to be really happy at work and looked forward to going into my office every day. Most of the projects I worked on were challenging-in a good way-and engaged my interest and curiosity, I had a great bunch of colleagues, and we were even able to laugh when Murphy’s Law would strike with a vengeance! Things started to change about six years ago when a new director was parachuted into the position, despite the fact that it was supposed to have been posted as an open competition: Therein marked the beginning of the end of the positive, upbeat morale and warm atmosphere that characterized our department.
It became pretty clear, fairly quickly, that this boss’s management style and interpersonal skills were going to be a challenge for all of us at times. Specifically, we started seeing some “interesting” approaches to anger/stress/frustration management and increasing tendencies to back-bite others in the organization, as well as a reluctance to deal with an occupational health issue on more than one occasion, and periodic bullying of various staff members by our boss. (For the record, I encouraged these individuals to document and report their experiences but they were reluctant to do so, for whatever reasons.)
Read the rest of this entry »
The Effects of Fast Food
(Can’t see the video? Then click here and try watching it at Work Happy Now)
Fast food is a energy killer. I feel grumpy and lethargic after I eat fast food. The salt, grease, and preservatives can bring even the strongest person down.
Your ability to enjoy your job has a lot to do with what you put in your body. If you want to increase your happiness at work, take notice of what you eat and how it makes you feel.
Read the rest of this entry »