Happiness: Positive changes that every person can make
Happy people are more successful, just ask Shawn Achor, the author of The Happiness Advantage.
"People who cultivate a positive mind-set perform better in the face of a challenge and in every area of your business, you will show improvement if your brain is positive" said Achor at a recent speech to 800 global entrepreneurs.
In fact, sales people who were happy outsell their less positive colleagues by more than 37 per cent and positive people in organisations are not only happier, they perform better and live longer, healthier lives.
"People who cultivate a positive mind-set perform better in the face of a challenge and in every area of your business, you will show improvement if your brain is positive" said Achor at a recent speech to 800 global entrepreneurs.
In fact, sales people who were happy outsell their less positive colleagues by more than 37 per cent and positive people in organisations are not only happier, they perform better and live longer, healthier lives.
Shawn Achor's book, The Happiness Advantageis a must-read "(sic) for everyone trying to excel in a world of increasing workloads, stress, and negativity. The Happiness Advantage is about how to reap the benefits of a happier and more positive mind-set to achieve the extraordinary in our our work and in our lives". (The Happiness Advantage website)
Every business has people that are unhappy.
They may be suffering a marriage breakdown, health problems, workload issues or they may just be down for their own personal reasons.Managers who identify that people in their team are unhappy and who take time out to ascertain what will help them make a positive change in their lives will not only benefit the employee but it will also help the businesses outcomes.
Employees often put a negative spin on when happiness occurs. How many times have you heard someone say "when I finish this project, I will be happy"? I always like the one where people say that "when they lose weight, they will be happy". How many times do you hear this?
Large organisations, particularly in economies that are struggling right now, have the biggest issue with "happiness" within their businesses because people focus on the negative and not the positive. "I won't be getting my bonus this year" is a common employee downer. The other is that many employees in this situation focus on the negative media around the economy and jobs rather than thinking about the bright side of a down-turn. You may ask what the bright side would be and for me, as a marketer, it's quite easy. Businesses can thrive in a down economy by not focusing on the negative. Instead, re-invest in your people and in marketing, and you will definately see a positive turn in your business.
Often therapy isn't the right outcome either for those who can't see the forest for the trees. If you have ever been to a therapist, you will know that you when you go in with one problem, you walk out knowing that you don't have one problem, in fact, you have 10 problems.
When employees say that they are stressed, you know that this is positive in some ways because through stress, people are able to reach their potential.
Changing mindset isn't easy but it is important to change the view of the lense on how we view happiness and to surround yourself with incredible people, that give you as many positive experiences as you give them.
Some tips to changing your mindset include:
- Jot down three things they were grateful for.
- Write a positive message to someone in their social support network.
- Meditate at their desk for two minutes.
- Exercise for 10 minutes.
- Take two minutes to describe in a journal the most meaningful experience of the past 24 hours.
Let me know how you go!
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comments ( 4 )
Ex rebound relationship
28 Aug 2013You could definitely see your enthusiasm in the work you write.
ReplyThe sector hopes for more passionate writers like you
who are not afraid to say how they believe. Always go after your heart.
Owen
06 Feb 2013Very relevant post. Happiness in the office is massively underrated. It is so much easier for people to switch on and off if they are happy. A quick 5 minute conversation with a work mate every couple of hours works wonders for a persons mental capacity and productivity.
ReplyInteresting point about the big firms as well. I have no personal experience of how these businesses work but I would hazard a guess that a lot of people feel insignificant to the company and this contributes to their unhappiness and lack of productivity. This is when it is so important for the managers to raise morale and simply be there to talk to people and remind them what they are working for.
One thing that always amazes me is people who either do not take lunch or eat at their desk. The usual excuse is that they have too much work to do. I do not know the numbers but I would be pretty confident that someone who takes at least a 30 minute lunch break will get more work done in that afternoon than the person who sat at their desk, didn't get any sunshine and did not 'switch off'.
Leia
18 Oct 2012I feel that this article rings true today more than ever before as people are trying to squeeze more and more into everyday. Most people it seems think that if they are constantly busy with work, sport, and a hectic social life then obviously they must be "happy" right? Well I think that most people need to take a step back and prioritise what really makes themselves happy on an individual level.
ReplyEven if as Mellissah states it starts with jotting down each morning before you start your work day three things that you are grateful for, I think it would aid to start employers having a positive mindset about the day and with a few more simple steps such as those outlined in the article could even increase productivity and reduce stress in the long-term
Sayem
15 Oct 2012This article tells us how important it is to be positive in a work environment which lacks in many businesses nowadays. Excellent journal put up by Mellissah, this gives great knowledge how to deal with such crisis.
Reply