When you work with someone who annoys you, they can seem devastatingly awful. So awful that it can send you into a depression. Trust me – - it has happened to me.

Maybe it’s an annoying client who won’t stop emailing you, a co-worker who loves to click his pen all day long, or a boss who puts way too much work on your desk.

But as soon as you take away the annoyance, you miss parts of the experience. You miss the challenge that this annoying person created. It’s very much like a horror movie. You watch it to scare the living heck out of yourself because once it’s over, life seems so much better. This relief can be addicting.

My new friend Tammy left a great comment about this concept:

Running my own business means I don’t have the day-to-day contact with an office full of work colleagues, so my friends do get all the work chatter too! I think being an entrepreneur, your life gets a lot less compartmentalized anyway.

I know there’s a lot of problems with office politics and the like within office environments, but honestly, now and then I do think I’m missing out on a chunk of popular culture by not having an over-enthusiastic stationery cupboard manager in my life; or a particularly zealous health and safety warden confiscating my scissors!

She misses the crazy people because they add spice to the workday. After reading her blog I would say she is happier not having to deal with the “over-enthusiastic stationery cupboard manager,” but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t miss him.

When you notice something annoying you today, try to step back and feel the uniqueness of the situation. What type of sensations are happening? Are you letting your anger get the best of you? These overwhelming emotions can teach you so much about yourself.

So remember to watch, listen, and learn from what irks you because when it’s all gone you’ll want to bring back the pain. Because at least they challenged you to work on your emotional development.

* Join over 800 people who have already subscribed to the FREE Happy at Work 10 Week eCourse. It will arrive in your inbox every Monday morning, when you need it the most. (Sign up is in the top left corner)

* Social media can be a tricky beast that’s why I read Christine’s blog. One of her latest articles was how to make friend request. It’s a must read for Facebook and LinkedIn users.

If you enjoyed this post then you will probably like this one too:

> Focus on Fewer Things with Better Results – cartoon

> What Hidden Emotional Anchors are Holding You Back?

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I’m a big believer in creativity at work. We need to expand outside our comfort zones to reach the good stuff. That’s why I draw. It forces me to find new angles on work happiness. How do you find new angles?

Too often we get caught up in trying to be amazing instead of just letting our amazing ooze out.

You might try to tackle 5 projects at once, but that won’t let you focus on creating something that will touch people’s hearts.

It takes hard work, love, frustration, calm, fear, and anger to create something special.

Don’t let that focus wonder too far.

Bring that gaze back on that one thing that will drop people’s jaws, tongues, brains and eyeballs all over the floor.

* Join over 700 people who have already subscribed to the FREE Happy at Work 10 Week eCourse. It will arrive in your inbox every Monday morning, when you need it the most. (Sign up is in the top left corner)

* Hugh of Gaping Void has a new business model that made me laugh.

If you enjoyed this post then you will probably like this one too:

> Laugh Until It Hurts – Cartoon

> How to Write a Career List

Download the Free eBook Work Happy the Google Way * Post from: Work Happy Now!

Trying to get our work done early so we can get home to our families is a part of the holidays.

Remember that your next email will be waiting for you when you get back.

Have a merry christmas and a happy new year!

Thank you for being you and reading this blog. Without you I wouldn’t be this happy.

* Need a boost to your work happiness? Then check out the Happy at Work Project and start one yourself.

Download the Free eBook Work Happy the Google Way * Post from: Work Happy Now!

Sometimes we just want people to relax and enjoy the show. They take things so seriously.

* Are you on Twitter? Then check me out at @workhappynow. I give stress relief tips, happiness ideas, and thought provoking quotes.

* There are some more great giveaways at the Jungle of Life. Check out Lance’s latest offering – The Upside of Life (And Holiday Celebration!)

If you enjoyed this post then you will probably like this one too:

- I Can Solve Your Problems – Cartoon

Download the Free eBook Work Happy the Google Way * Post from: Work Happy Now!

This one speaks for itself.

I will say that I used to work for a boss that loved to yell. He actually did have a mustache.

I tried a voodoo doll, but that never helped.

Business Karma came back on him though. I’m not happy that it did, but I’m not upset that it did either.

* Need a boost to your work happiness? Then check out Happy at Work Project and start one yourself.

* I’ve been inspired by Hugh of Gaping Void for a while now. Check out this cartoon – acting normal.

If you enjoyed this post then you will probably like this one too:

• Be One With Your Work (it’s a cartoon too. bad image scan, but still enjoyable.)

Download the Free eBook Work Happy the Google Way * Post from: Work Happy Now!

Sometimes I just want this magic thing to solve my problems.

But I know nothing can just whisk my troubles away. That’s why I drew this cartoon. To remind me…

We all have pain.

We can’t escape it.

Some of us feel weighted down by depression. Others of us have bum knees. And many others have bosses that only care about themselves.

The alternative is death.

I’ll take the pain for all it offers.

***

Are you on Twitter? Then check me out at @workhappynow. I give stress relief tips, happiness ideas, and cool quotes that save the day.

***

Need to learn more about marketing then check out Sonia’s amazing e-classes that break it down for you. I’m glad I did.

If you liked this post I think you’ll also like:

• Putting on Your Underwear Mindset

Download the Free eBook Work Happy the Google Way * Post from: Work Happy Now!

I’ve been playing with drawing in relation to work happiness. I’ve found that there are parts of me hidden within a pencil that don’t come out on the keyboard. I’ve been messing with this medium on and off for about 12 years, but in the last year I’ve really been enjoying myself.

I drew this piece when I felt really frustrated after trying to write a blog post. In my head the concept sounded brilliant then it came out of me like a big blob of stink. I was frustrated and wanted to punch my screen.

You better not say that this cartoon character looks like me or I’ll…

I’m not sure what I will do, but you won’t like it.

Okay, now that I finally got the courage to post this…

What do you think?

Should I post more of my drawings?

Or should I just keep them to myself?

Need a boost to your work happiness? Then check out Happy at Work Project and start one yourself.

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As most of you know I talk a lot about fear because it holds us back from our true potential. Colleen over at Communicatrix has a wonderful post called The rewards lie just beyond the fear. Go check it out.

If you enjoyed this post you’ll probably enjoy:

• 21 Questions You Should Ask Yourself Every Monday

Image courtesy of me

Download the Free eBook Work Happy the Google Way * Post from: Work Happy Now!