Happiness at the work-place

Happiness at workplace is a relative term – Different for different people – but one common factor which binds all working class people is – they all crave to be happy in what they do - Of course, with jobs getting more and more demanding these days, we often ignore the ways in finding happiness in the workplace and this can even put a toll on your health.
Its been 18 long years since I first started working and earning my livelihood has never been a forced chore on me – never – it has given me immense happiness and a state of contentment – there have been ups and downs during my stints in various organizations and there have been pitfalls many a times when hard work did not get recognized, when gratitude took a back seat and someone stole the credit for all the good work done by me – God bless them all.
When I look back and take a stock of what I have achieved after 18 years of hard work, 18 long years of commuting to and fro workplace, then happily take control of my kitchen once back from work, prepare myself for the next day session, spend time with family and spread cheer and happiness in their lives – I feel I have been a far cry from being a ‘cribber’. Playing various roles in ones life as also balancing it out well has always been my forte. I have never cribbed – not at office, not at home – I can say this confidently that I have attained ‘happiness’ from being the woman of substance. Work life balance is a relative term and is defined differently by different people. Come Friday and work life balance is at its optimum. For my child – “mamma, tell your boss to give you paid leave on Monday as well”, for my husband – “thank god its’ Friday – lets plan for a good weekend, for my lovely in-laws its been like “now take care you’re your little devil (my 9 year old sweet little brat), for my friends – hey lets have a party… and so and so forth.
Spending 12 – 14 hours a day away from home, working hard to earn our livelihood does compel a person to conduct ones’ life in a controlled way – its’ essential, it’s a written law – one has to respect the decorum of the office, one has to respect the values laid down by one’s organization for which one has been working for – as ultimately your bread and butter and of course your 4 course meal does come from it.
One has been extremely dedicated to ones workplace – Rule number one. Rule number two – be dedicated to your workplace and rule number three – be dedicated to your workplace…. Umph, uh-ump!" so there… you must be chuckling your heart out fellas! All this and many more organizational values should not bog you down. Every Company may have its own set of rules and values. Just abiding by it does not in anyway deprive your of your happiness. Do not feel like a bonded labourer. Understand that it’s a mutual give and take relationship. Work honestly hard and get paid for it.. Pink-slips, attritions, salary-cuts are part and parcel of present day organizations. But ‘to be’ or ‘not to be’ – happy - is finally for you to decide.
Some tips to be happy workplace pal and cheer-spreader :
- Come to office with a cheerful smile and spread cheers around your workplace. Spend the first 15 minutes greeting your work pals and get connected with them – very essential if you want your day to end happy as well. Think about happy thoughts and think about feeling good. The power of the mind is a major factor in our disposition in life.
- Cultivate effective work habits. Take a break from work every hour, just take a walk, probably to the wash-room, or just a stroll to your office canteen and sample out the many dishes rolled out for the noon. This will ease out your stress built around you when constantly glued to your computer or a serious day long office meeting. Sometimes we tend to forget about being happy in the workplace because we are too preoccupied with the many things that we still have to achieve, the unfinished tasks and backlogs we have to take care of, and the many errands to run. By being too busy all the time that you can't even enjoy a good meal can lead you to be a burnt-out man. Manage your time and learn to delegate. Avoid procrastination as well. Effective work habits also allow you to have time to rest and develop good friendships with your co-workers as well.
- Always associate with positive work pals. These are your greatest moral boosters as also stress busters. Have chat sessions during lunch hours, share some office jokes and have hearty laughs and spread cheer around you. It is said – whatever you give, comes back to you in bundles – Is it not – I am sure you will agree.
- Get a good exercise before or after work. Getting a good physical activity and exercise helps you a lot in feeling good and great in the workplace. It will not only put you in good mood but it will also help you avoid feeling tired and bored and help you overcome stress at work as well. Of course, feeling good and healthy helps a lot in being happy everyday and in finding happiness in the workplace and in anywhere you go.
So what are you waiting for – Go Get It – Don’t Worry Be Happy -