5 Ways to be Happy at Work

The workplace is where diverse personalities, attitudes and work ethics form a huge melting pot which can ultimately be the catalyst for your professional growth and contentment, or your worst nightmare.

The mettle you are made of is tested of course, but what is ultimately important is that you are cognisant that your overall well-being, and more specifically, your happiness solely depends on you.

Most of us spend at least eight hours at work, representing more than half the time we spend awake on any given work-day day - reason enough to ensure your own happiness.

I have surely had my fair share of workplace scenarios that I have blown way out of proportion, and I have made myself unhappy while blaming others. As is often said, 'experience teaches wisdom', and as such, I am now cognisant that I need to have a positive outlook. I can now have pertinent thoughts such as how can I add value or how can I be an inspiration to others.

Over the years, my mom has always said, 'get your happiness out of your work, or you will never know what happiness is'. Indeed, a very profound statement, and it supports the fact that your happiness depends on you. Here are five tips to make you happier at work:

Leave your past in the past, focus on the future: We have all made mistakes. However, we cannot keep looking back; that way, we will never be able to move forward. Learn from past mistakes and focus on building a solid future.

Don't compare yourself to others: Each person has a different path to tread; the paths start at different places and will more than likely end at different places with entirely different results. It makes absolutely no sense and will surely amount to nought if you compare yourself to others. I have a friend who always says everyone has a story; I will add to that - write your own story.

Don't worry about things you can't change: There will always be circumstances you cannot control - the economy, competition within your industry, etc. The onus is on you to do your work and to do it well, focus on what you can actually control - your thoughts and your actions.

Ensure your thoughts are positive and your actions are not malicious.

CAN'T WIN ALL

You can't 'win' every argument: Some persons have to win every argument; don't be that person! Some battles are not worth fighting. For your own peace of mind, let go; it may just be easier to handle someone if they think they 'won' the argument.

Winning the argument is not of paramount importance; it is how you move on from there that will determine the value added.

The best is yet to come: Some situations are hard to accept; however, regardless of how bad things get, believe that the best is yet to come. With that attitude, you will always make the best out of a situation knowing that there is much better on the horizon. You will have a different attitude that may just impact and motivate others.

Reposition and refocus! Happiness is a state of mind. What condition is your mind in?

Keva Ellis writes on human resources and general management issues.itsrainingviolet@gmail.com.