Work happiness

The idea of associating happiness and work has been portrayed in the past as an almost unattainable goal. We grew up with the notion that work is necessary to provide a sustainable life and that work is not supposed to be your source of happiness. We accept that only the lucky ones find true happiness in their work, and the rest of us must settle. However, this is not the case.

To strengthen the bond between happiness and work, we all must play our role. From individual to team members to leadership, we all have an influence on the overall happiness of our workplace.

###Individual
As an individual, you have an obligation to yourself to create your best possible life. To accomplish true happiness, you must constantly make positive steps towards it. One thing that most individuals are guilty of is being ruled by our emotions. This is especially true with our careers, where we feel that emotions have no place. Whether it is self-depreciating one’s self for not doing enough or frustration with lack of recognition, we all battle to deny our inner emotions at work instead of walking hand-in-hand with them. We can learn to address these emotions in a logical way and find a positive approach to every feeling. By using our emotional agility, we must learn to manage our emotions and transform them into something that will procure positive results in our career, company and overall happiness.

###Team Members
All members within a team, whether it is an assembled cross-functional team or the overall company, need to feel connected to their work to achieve happiness. Teams with individuals that understand the importance of their role will flourish. It is the responsibility of the team to recognize the importance of each individual. “The Secret to Feeling Energized at Work? Autonomy,” highlights the significance of addressing team members’ value. Halvorson’s article identifies the demand for autonomy and communication within teams. Individuals have their own processes. It is important to learn and develop a specified approach for each individual to establish a successful and happy team.

###Leadership
Leaders of companies have a large impact on the happiness of their employees and generating a positive work culture. The foundation of a company is created through its leadership. The article, “If You Want Happy Workers, Stop Treating Them Like Children,” states that how we feel about a job absolutely does affect our performance. It goes on to explain that employees will become intrinsically motivated through greater participation in the business. When employees have a positive influence on the company, they become happier with their work, leading to not only more productivity, but better quality work.

The relationship between happiness and work can simply be obtained through the conscious effort of the entire company. We all must play our part to generate a positive work culture.

> “Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions.”
> ― Dalai Lama XIV

How do you strengthen the bond between your work and happiness? Share your thoughts or tips with us on Twitter via @IntrinzicSays.