The Secret To Happiness At Work

Jan 22, 2019 1 Min Read
Alt

Finding or achieving happiness in life is a pursuit many spend their whole lives chasing or figuring out. Feeling happy is fundamental to the human experience, and happiness is a necessity for well-being.

Since most working adults spend at least 8 hours a day in the office, it goes without saying that happiness at work is of utmost importance.

In her research on happiness at work, Dr Cynthia D. Fisher of Bond University says that the central and most frequently emphasised aspect is job satisfaction.

She added that pleasant judgements (positive attitudes) and pleasant experiences (positive moods, feelings, emotions, flow states) at work are also important.

READ: 16 Ways To Create Your Own Happiness At Work

Shaping your reality

In his TEDx talk, psychologist Shawn Achor said that other than ensuring employee well-being, happiness can also inspire them to be more productive.

He articulates that it is not the reality that shapes you, but the lens through which your brain views the world that shapes your reality. If you can change the lens, not only can you change your happiness, but you can change every single educational and business outcome at the same time.

“Most people assume that the external world is predictive of our happiness levels, but in reality, if I knew everything about your external world, I can only predict 10 per cent of your long-term happiness,” explained Achor.

“90 per cent of your long-term happiness is predicted not by the external world, but by the way your brain processes the world. If we change our formula for happiness and success, we can then change the way we affect reality,” he added.

“We found that only 25 per cent of job successes are predicted by IQ. 75 per cent of job successes are predicted by your optimism levels, your social support, and your ability to see stress as a challenge instead of as a threat.”

In conclusion

Thus, your happiness is essentially up to you.
Your attitude, how you view your situation in life and your daily challenges will determine your happiness levels.

So, would you choose to be optimistic and happy or pessimistic and blue?

Watch the funny yet enlightening talk here:

 

Khor Hui Min is a sub-editor with Leaderonomics. She is also a writer, poet, nature lover, face painter, photographer, yoga enthusiast, and meditator. To connect with her, send an email to editor@leaderonomics.com.

Share This

Personal

Alt
Roubeeni Mohan is a former writer at Leaderonomics who believes that written words have a greater impact than words said because it stays longer.

You May Also Like

AI

Will Artificial Intelligence Kill Us All?

By Manfred F. R. Kets de Vries. The paradox of Artificial Intelligence: from fear and confusion to its positive impact on society, uncover why humans view AI as the new bogeyman.

Aug 22, 2024 6 Min Read

Tall trees jungle (Starting Late)

The Benefits of Starting Late

Shashi Kesavan, Head of Strategic Projects at Leaderonomics, discusses the benefits of starting late and the importance of self-awareness at these crossroad moments.

Apr 25, 2022 24 Min Podcast

Prejudice, Stereotyping, racism

Psyched: Prejudice, Stereotyping & Racism in the Workplace

In this episode of Psyched, host Roshan Thiran and Andrea Chew explore Prejudice, Stereotyping & Racism in the workplace and how we can overcome it

Sep 16, 2021 52 Min Video

Be a Leader's Digest Reader