Increase your work happiness

11 SIMPLE WAYS TO INCREASE YOUR HAPPINESS AT WORK

Post date: 

29 Apr 2015 - 3:30pm

[Pic Source]

What is one simple practice I can adopt to be happier at work?

Leave the Office

"There are ample opportunities to get up and go for a quick walk throughout the day. Disagree? Then you need to learn to delegate. If you have a scheduled call that doesn’t require you to be on a computer, plug in your headphones and take the call while walking around the block. There is also an Internet hotspot about every 15 feet; you might give them a try from time to time.” — Adam Callinan, Beachwood Ventures

Form Morning Rituals

“In the morning, do you get on top of the day or does it get on top of you? Solid morning rituals can help ensure you get on the right track — and stay there. I meditate, exercise, have a healthy breakfast and write out the things I’m grateful for all before I get into the office. I find that these rituals center me and help keep a smile on my face for the entire day.” — Mark Krassner,Knee Walker Central

Incorporate Family

“Whether it is working with family or doing activities with employees and their families, this is something that shows that each person is a member of a family working together. Also, it will make people more comfortable and therefore, more productive.” — Bryan Silverman, InStall Media

Think About Your Team

“Thinking about the members of my team makes me happy. These are the people I enjoy working with who are really motivated, recognize problems and opportunities and take action. I just try to remember each and every one of them and how grateful I am to have them in my life. I also think of our customers as individuals and how grateful I am to have these great people in my life.” — Dan Price, Gravity Payments

Meditate

“Meditation is a key tool I use to work happy, and there are so many benefits of a daily meditation practice. In its simplest form, it’s about taking a minute to close your eyes, tune into your body and focus on your breath. Even Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll incorporated meditation into training leading up to the Super Bowl. And you know how that game turned out…” — Natalie MacNeil, She Takes on the World

Outsource

“Figure out the things that are sucking time and making you miserable, and find a way to outsource them. Whether you hire support staff or outsource to freelancers, figuring out what you like to do and focusing on those things will make you infinitely happier and more productive!” — Alexis Wolfer, The Beauty Bean

Be Grateful

“Say “thank you” every day to your staff, your partner and your family. Show gratitude and appreciate what you have.” — Joe Apfelbaum, Ajax Union

Try Improv

“For the past few years, I’ve been sneaking off to musty classrooms and tiny theaters to learn and perform improv comedy. Initially, I started this as a fun hobby, but it’s turned out to have an enormous impact on the way I work. It taught me tricks such as “Yes, and,” along with the importance of stating the obvious. I would recommend this to anyone who wants to be happier and have more fun at work.” — Robert J. Moore,RJMetrics

Keep Your Team Happy

“Don’t be caught up in the traditional 9 to 5. It’s okay to have your staff start at 10 a.m. on certain days or end early on Friday. Reward yourself and your team for hard work with small perks. Keeping a happy team keeps you happier at work and makes working long days worthwhile. ” — Amanda L. Barbara,Pubslush

Learn Every Day

“Work can get mundane when you’re doing the same thing day in and day out. An easy way to make work more engaging is to learn new things as you contribute to the company. Grow your mind as you help your company grow. Don’t be afraid to be open with your employer about learning. Bosses love employees who want to build skills, and many of them will bring you into the fold if you show promise.” — Doreen Bloch, Poshly Inc.

Take It One Day at a Time

“Take it one day at a time. Each day has its own problems, so why stress about tomorrow?” — Alfredo Atanacio, Uassist.ME

The Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC) is an invite-only organization comprised of the world’s most promising young entrepreneurs. In partnership with Citi, YEC recently launchedStartupCollective, a free virtual mentorship program that helps millions of entrepreneurs start and grow businesses.

"We leave no one behind."

Cycling or bicycling or just plain biking is big business in Singapore today with everyone - young, old, and the elderly dipping their hands into the cake. 

With the booming trade in bicycles and bike accessories hitting an unprecedented high, it was not long before queues formed at the local bike shops and upmarket ones, to check out the new craze in commuting, exercise, race, tour or just the familiar ego trip. 

Two years ago, I bought my first foldie, a $750 Giant Chiron2 from a Tay Cycle in Tampines St 11. As a newbie, the design of the white bike attracted my attention, though the folding mechanism is nowhere near the more popular Bromptons which costs four times as much. It took me a while to get comfortable with the Chiron, especially with the fold. 

My first ride with a popular bike group resulted in a near disaster. I was in the last group, the slowest group, to leave Tampines Plaza en-route to East Coast Park. We were assured that the safety officers or sweepers would not leave anyone behind. 100 metres after I started off at the rear of the group, I felt an uncharacteristic swerve of the bike, as if someone else was in control. I know it sounds eerie and unreal. Suddenly, both the front and rear wheel tracked left and the centre joint separated. The fold had come undone! Silly me had not checked the locking mechanism to ensure its security. Good thing I wasn't riding fast approaching the first pedestrian crossing at the Tampines MRT station towards Holy Trinity Church.

I fixed the problem in no time but because the Red Man was flashing and the beeper had sounded, I had to wait out for the next cycle. I looked around and discovered that I was the only cyclist from the group there. So where was the sweeper - talk about not leaving anyone behind! I was absolutely new to the route to ECP and had no idea where to turn.

I decided to proceed on the PCN towards the church hoping to see some cyclists ahead. Unfortunately, there was none. Our sweeper must have taken the lead to push the last group in joining up with the rest who were already far ahead. I wasn't aware that I had to take the long overhead bridge across the PIE to reach Simei. I circumnavigated the blocks of flats but it only confused me and led me back to Tampines Avenue 2. My decision was practical and final - return home via St 23.

You guessed right. I was fuming mad!

The Big Move

The Simei unit has been rented out and now the family is homed in a 1,700 sq feet unit in Tampines. From a family unit of 8 persons - it sure was packed to the brim - the number has now ballooned to 12, mind you. But that's fine considering that the new additions are welcome as family members from Penang and a maid from Philippines.