Thels Talk

Archive for the ‘Workplace’ Category

Choosing to be happy at work means avoiding negative conversations, gossip, and unhappy people as much as possible. No matter how positively you feel, negative people have a profound impact on your psyche. Happiness is largely a choice. I can hear many of you arguing with me, but it’s true.

“You get paid to do your job, not to like it,” seems to be the attitude of most managers and workplaces. What’s worse, employees seem to be willing participants in this arrangement. When I ask people what makes them happy at work, they rarely talk about the work itself – many tend to see it as a means to an end, rather than as something to enjoy.

You spend more time at work than with your family, friends, and hobbies combined. Hating your job is not an inconvenience, it’s a serious problem. It can cause stress and depression.

And yet, a job can be a tremendous source of happiness. It can give you success, victories, and professional and personal growth. It can let you contribute to something important. It can be a source of positive, meaningful relationships with both managers and co-workers. It can, in fact, be a lot of fun!

A young employee complained to me recently that she wanted to change jobs because her boss was not doing enough to help her develop professionally. I asked her whom she thought was the person most interested in her development. The answer, of course, was her. You are the person with the most to gain from continuing to develop professionally. Take charge of your own growth.

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