Create Your Own Happiness in your working environment

How we wish that we can look forward to going to office every morning when we wake up? Well, recall back to when we had our first job, and that must probably be first time when our spirit and inspiration is so high that we look forward to going out into the so-called University of Life, ie. working. Alas, after some time, things do not look the same anymore, so what what do we do then? Perhaps, some soul-searching and self-reflection will go a long way making us much happier.

In the pursuit of happiness, we often hear many people say that they are not happy. Why, what is it that causes them to be unhappy. As we start to narrow this issue down, we then realize that a person can be happy at some point in time, and yet at the next slightest moment become unhappy. So one can be happy in different places, different scenario and circumstances.

For this article, I would like to focus on building and creating your own happiness within your working environment, be it your office or organization, as in working with groups of people.

As a young lad some 30 plus years ago, when I first venture into this so-called University of Life, the very place that we will live, learn, grow and play for the rest of our life. So, we better learn to know the rules. But this is where wisdom comes in, and without living out the years ahead of us, where do we gain our wisdom. For some, they become wiser at a faster pace, yet many others continue to be caught in the muddle, learning to survive and tag along with time.

a) Optimism and positive attitude - as a young lad just joining the corporate world, I can’t remember how long it must be that everyday, when I woke up in the morning, how keen and eager it was to get to office. The new friends and colleagues with the regular lunches and all the gossips and activities we carried out together, giving me a sense of belonging, it must be many years. One thing I learned that working as a subordinate, we must open our mind to learning new things, everything that is available. I came across many others who would first ask for the reward and benefit first before undertaking new things. In the process, one learns to be helpful and become a source for others to rely and depend on in the later years. People come and go, in some organizations very quickly. It is such opportunity that offers someone that can grasp and possess the holistic understanding of the organization and processes. So as an individual, learn not to be calculative, but instead look forward to being a source of help to others. This belief has followed me many years, and till my later years at very senior management level philosophy that I preached to the staff that we all work first for the organization, and second to the Department. Why, because people have a tendency to draw fine lines, as to who has to carry the burden to the extent of causing a disservice to the organization.

b) Be Contended with your current situation – Of course this sounds like complacency, but what I am saying is that, with whatever situation we are placed in, let’s start with the right attitude to be contended and happy with it, while you work on improving the situation. If we are born into a particular family, we have to accept the fact. If we landed ourselves with a particular job, let’s start from it and work on making it better. I have seen cases where people have accepted to be in a certain position, but starts complaining. If so, why get oneself into the situation if one has the choice. If not, then accepts it and be happy with it, while at the same time, work on improving the situation.

c) Open Up and Communicate with all levels of colleague. This is extremely critical, more so for those start from the bottom, the rank and file. Whether you call it inferior complex or something else, my experience tells me that many of such people who dare not even look up to their senior to carry on a conversation. There is this fear in him that he must learn to step out, just like the story of the big elephant being tied to a small chain. This is more importance in particular to one’s future progress, to learn the ability to talk and speak out confidently irrespective of position. In the process, I find that the staff is more stressful in the company of the seniors. So, if you do recognize this, then size yourself up, pick up the courage, and learn to mix and carry on carefree conversations with all levels. This has a big impact of lowering your stress level and makes you feel happier at work. Tell the superior if you have a problem and feeling unduly stressed - be frank.

The same equally applies to those in the senior position. At one extreme, of course we find some that lacks total discretion and tactfulness. At the other extreme, we find some who harbor fears in dealing directly with sub-ordinates especially when come to unpleasantness and bad news. Such stressful situation indirectly brings about frustration and causes unhappiness.

d) Be Clear of What is Expected/Expectation – It is important to differentiate between too much work from having work but not knowing how to go about it. I always tell the people that it is the latter aspects that stressed people up into sleepless nights and creates a lot of unhappiness. Too much of work can only make one physically tired and adequate rest can help one rejuvenates. But unknowns in the work expectations with no one to turned to for help and especially when one’s superior is unreasonable – this is one that gets to everyone’s nerve.

e) Stay Clear of Politics – As one progresses in his organization, one finds it hard not to be engulfs with office politics. One will come into contact with all types of people whether you like them or not. And these people will feed you with all sorts of grapevine news, stories, and complaints. In all my years, I have learned to take all these input and filter them, and more importantly not to be used by these very people as their means to propagate these for their purpose. Let the good ones be the influence on you and those bad one be just a source of grapevine news.

Does that mean that one will stick around forever if one is happy in his work environment? Maybe so, but the reality today is that complete loyalty is a rare traits nowadays. Almost everybody will be scouting around for greener pastures and opportunities. If something better comes along, be happy and grab it, if not continue seeking while you are still happy at work. If better is possible, why not because good would not be enough. Right!

Whether one is happy or not, the clock ticks and time goes by, something that each and every one of us will lose and can never recover. So why not wake up to everyday, with a happy and cheerful attitude and carry it to wherever we go.

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Hello, my name is Ivanhocg. My blog Life Improvement Happiness relates to inspirational and motivational aspects to elevate one's state of mind towards happiness, and hope that readers will be in a better state of mind to take charge and control of their own mind and in the process, improves his life condition and state of happiness.

There is always Hope when one finds that he is all lost, not knowing what to do and blame the whole world for his circumstances, problems, frustration and everyone else except himself. It is only a problem that exists in his own minds, and if and only if he is destined to encounter someone who can lend him the ears and in the process help him see and ponder with self reflection to see where his problem lies, and then takes action to improve his lots, he will find the world in a new light. This Blog intent is to share the thoughts and thinking that motivates and inspires him to take better control of his stand of mind and thereby be more happy than before.

Do visit my site Improve Life Happiness if you are feeling down and lousy, and need to recharge your frame of mind. The author also writes on his other blogs Yourfrustration