Five Ways to be Happy at Work

Sometimes being happy at work involves you choosing to be happy by consciously fulfilling some of these factors:

1. Try to do something that you enjoy every day: Perhaps you enjoy reading up on a particular subject, or maybe you like to have some friendly competition with colleagues in your office. By doing something you enjoy every day, you will feel happier at work.
   
   
2. Develop your own skills and abilities: One of Maslow’s’ hierarchy of needs is self-actualisation, which in its simplest form means becoming everything that one is capable of becoming. Take charge of your own personal development to reach your true potential, you will feel a sense of achievement and progression and in turn a happier being.
   
   
3. Ask for feedback: It is great when you are acknowledged for the work that you do. It can be demoralising if you get very little feedback, however there is no harm is asking for it. Also as a contractor working on multiple assignments, I recommend that you start using the ‘recommendations’ feature on LinkedIn (presuming you are a member) and start getting into the habit of  asking for feedback; potential recruiters will then be able to review your recommendations.
   
   
4.  Avoid negativity: I have always found that people that spend time around negative characters usually subconsciously become negative themselves. Keep a positive outlook at work and avoid negative Neds and Nellies.
   
   
5. Make friends: It is proven that enjoying and liking the company of your co-workers aids in having a happy work experience. It is worth getting to know your work colleagues and try to get involved in some social gatherings outside of work.

By Gerry Gregoire