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Archive for the happy at work Category

Hard Fun and The Beautiful – Looking Forward Edition

(Can’t see the video? Then try watching it at Work Happy Now - Hard Fun and The Beautiful – Beautiful Brain Edition)

Where we are free to talk about the hard, the fun, and the beautiful of our work week.

When we gaze off and zone out there are usually thoughts of grandeur. Maybe writing a book, taking your kids to Disneyland or getting a promotion. Whatever it is, these thoughts have a ton of motivation in them. I constantly picture myself standing in front of thousands of people and giving a keynote about work happiness. It’s a subject that many people need to learn about.

You think about the possibilities and now you need to figure out how to make it happen. That means creating a Happy at Work Project to make your dreams come alive.
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How to Enjoy Staying Late at Work

I remember one winter a few years ago when I had to stay a few hours later at work. It was dark by 5pm. My co-worker also had to stay late. Nothing but grumbling came out of his mouth.

That could have easily been me, but there was one difference.

I felt lucky to have a job.

My co-worker had been with the company two years longer than me. He was a bit jaded to say the least. He complained that he wouldn’t have time for dinner, complained about being tired, and not feeling appreciated.

I felt lucky to have my job because we just went through layoffs. I wasn’t sure I was going to make the cut. I did and was working my butt off to prove I deserved my job. So for me those few extra hours meant I got to prove my worth.
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Happy at Work Action Day is Here

We are celebrating happiness at work on a Monday. I know it’s tough getting the motivation flowing. That’s why I chose October 5^th. It’s the first Monday in October, during that time of year when most of the northern hemisphere is struggling with declining daylight hours and ensuing colder weather. It’s the time of year to hunker down and find ways to be happy with the present moment.

Many people have been letting me know that doing all four elements of the Happy at Work Action Day will feel forced. I suggest picking two and making that your mission today.

4 Rules to Happiness at Work Action Day

1. Celebrate! (i.e.Throw an office party.)
2. Reward a deserving co-worker or client.
3. Reward yourself for a recent accomplishment.
4. Take 5 minutes to reflect on the crazy beauty in your life.

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Hard, Fun and The Beautiful – Beautiful Brain Edition

Where we are free to talk about the hard, the fun, and the beautiful of our work week.

This week has been more positive than negative. Since starting this blog, that has been the continuing trend that seems to occur each week. By focusing on helping other people become happier at work, I’ve increased my own happiness. That’s the beauty of passion. It stops being about “me” and starts being about “others.”

It’s why people love sports. We get to root with all our heart and souls for people we don’t know. We learn their stories and find a way to care. Movies, TV, and books have that same emotional hook. We stop worrying about our own lives and care about other people and animals (I love nature shows).

Let’s begin.
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21 Questions You Should Ask Yourself Every Monday

It’s not the answers that you receive that bring you happiness; it’s the questions that you ask.

The question must come before the answer.

If you are looking for the answers on how to enjoy a tough project, they won’t come. You are searching for the end point when it’s the journey that will help you find the joy.

For example, if you go into work every Monday morning wondering why you aren’t happy, then you will focus on why you aren’t happy.

If you go into work with a question such as, “how can I improve my happiness?” You are focusing your mind on finding a positive answer.

Here are some of the questions I ask myself every Monday…
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Hard Fun and The Beautiful – The Rain Edition

(Can’t see the video? Then try watching it at Work Happy Now - Hard Fun and The Beautiful – The Rain Edition)

Where we are free to talk about the hard, the fun, and the beautiful of our work week.

This week has been a doozie. Now that I’m looking back on my week and sharing it with you, they all seem like doozies. I guess that’s the magic of reflection. By putting a magnifier to life, I’m able to see the little nuances of work that are truly enjoyable.

I never thought that being overwhelmed by multi-tasking would be enjoyable. Of course it’s hard to deal with in the moment, but a few days later it’s quite funny.

Let’s begin:
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Hard Fun and the Beautiful – Dog Paws Edition

(Can’t see the video? Then try watching it at Work Happy Now - Hard Fun and The Beautiful – Dog Paws Edition)

Where we are free to talk about the hard, the fun, and the beautiful of our work week.

This week showed me a lot about who I am and what I’ve learned. And it’s this emotional development that has helped me appreciate all the research I’ve done for this blog. It’s taught me how to relax with the ups and downs of my work week.

Let’s begin:
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Team Building Activity – Hint – Colorful Balls

Jeff Sloan, co-founder of Start-up Nation, talked at a Microsoft conference about creating your own business. He is a serial entrepreneur of electronics and various other media.

Jeff and his brother were promoting one of their gadgets at a conference and they bumped into a woman who was juggling, so they started juggling with her. They got to talking with the woman and hashed out a distributorship to sell the juggling balls throughout North America.

Their juggling package was the number 1 item sold for Father’s Day back in 1992.

They positioned their product as “Stress Relief for the Busy Executive.” An item that has been around since the pyramids in Egypt was the best selling product for fathers in the US. Jeff was able to do this because of a relationship that he created with the department stores.
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Do You Conference?

Lately I’ve been thinking about conferences. I was contacted by Texas Text Book Conference for a quote on a work happiness keynote speech. They are interested in the work happiness concept. Even if they don’t hire me, I know that work happiness is taking over the business world.

One day companies will care just as much about an employee’s happiness as they will about how much money they earned. Google’s 20% Rule is an example  of a concept that fits with this type of thinking. Companies will see that when employees are happy, they are more creative and productive, which will in turn earn the company even more money. (Wow! That was a little rant that I wasn’t expecting.)
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Career Renegade Interview

As always, I’m trying to bring as many perspectives about work happiness to you that I possibly can. Jonathan Fields of Career Renegade is a friend who I met at SxSW and he is also a wonderful writer. I reviewed his book and took away a ton of great ideas. He’s a serial entrepreneur and that’s why I asked him for an interview. Many of you may not want to start your own business, but all of you are entrepreneurs, whether you are working for a company or yourself. It’s up to you to make your career come alive.

That’s why I love this interview. Jonathan is always bubbling with energy and concepts that we could all use to improve our working lives.

Let’s begin…
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