24 Tips for being happy at work

by Gretchen Rubin

Of course, being happy at work depends mostly on how much you like your job. But there are also smaller steps that can boost your happiness, as well.

Your work space:

• Check for eyestrain: put your hand to your forehead in a salute. If your eyes feel relieved, your space is too bright.
• Get a good desk chair and take the time to adjust it properly. (A friend works at Goldman Sachs, where they have a person who specializes in this, zoikes!)
• Sit up straight—every time I do, I instantly feel more energetic and cheerier.
• Think about how your space could be more pleasant. Could you invest in some desk accessories to help stay organized? Could you replace a hideous lamp with something more attractive?
• Get a phone headset. I resisted for a long time, because it looks so preposterous, but it’s really much more comfortable.
• Don’t keep treats around. A handful of M&Ms each day will mean a weight gain five pounds by year’s end.
• Periodically, take time to deep-clean the loose papers that have piled up. I never do this until I specifically schedule a time, but am always amazed at the wonderful calm it brings.

Your day:

• Never say “yes” on the phone; instead, say, “I’ll get back to you.” When you’re actually speaking to someone, the desire to be accommodating is very strong, and can lead you to say “yes” without enough consideration.
• Take care of difficult calls or emails as quickly as possible. Procrastinating just makes it harder; getting them done gives a big boost of relieved energy.
• When accepting a responsibility, imagine that it’s something that you’ll have to do next week. That way you don’t agree to something just because it seems so far off that it doesn’t seem onerous.
• Be honest about how you’re spending your time. You feel overwhelmed, but are you really working hard? How much time do you spend surfing the internet, chatting on the phone, looking for things you’ve misplaced, or doing a task that’s really someone else’s job?
• Go outside at least once a day, and if possible, take a walk. The sunlight and activity is good for your focus, mood, and retention of information.
• Even if you can’t go outside, take a ten-minute break each hour. Studies show that the break boosts your retention level.
• Don’t let yourself get too hungry.
• Let yourself stay ignorant of things you don’t need to know.
• Try to make a lunch date with someone outside the office at least once a week.

Your colleagues:

• Although some people believe it’s best to keep work life and personal life separate, and therefore avoid making friends with colleagues, for most people, having strong friendships makes work more fun. Science supports this: having close relationships is essential to happiness, strengthens the immune system, and reduces anxiety.
• If you work alone, take time to mix with other people. Socializing boosts the moods of introverts, as well as extroverts.
• Each week, walk around your company and introduce yourself to a few people you don’t know each week. You’ll feel more comfortable socially, plus knowing more people facilitates work flow.
• If a colleague gets under your skin, figure out why. I used to work with a guy who enraged me at every meeting. When I started analyzing his techniques, I became fascinated with the brilliance of his subtle put-downs.
• A friend took a job where she knew she’d have a difficult boss. From the beginning, she told herself, “There is only love.” She doesn’t allow herself to criticize her boss, even in her own mind, and won’t listen to anyone else’s criticism. She says it’s tough to do, but it has made her job far easier.
• Say “Good morning” to everyone.
• Periodically, have lunch with co-workers. This can be a time to talk about personal life, and so become better friends, or to talk about work, so that everyone has a bigger picture of what’s going on in the office—both good results.
• Lighten up.

careers, Jobs Indonesia, Indonesia Vacancy

Twelve Tips to Create a Happier (and More Productive) Workplace.

Every Wednesday is Tip Day.

This Wednesday: 12 tips to create a happier (and more productive) workplace.

I just finished First, Break All the Rules by Marcus Buckingham and Curt Coffman. I’d heard about it for years, but I didn’t actually pick up a copy until a smart friend told me to read it.

The authors did a study with the Gallup Organization to find a way, among other things, to measure strong workplaces, ones that would attract and retain the most productive employees.

They came up with a list of twelve questions, where, if employees answered “yes” and were happier in their workplaces, they tended to work in business units with higher levels of productivity, profit, retention, and customer satisfaction – which shows that there is a link between how employees feel and how they perform.

This is a good list to use if you’re a manager who wants to create a happier and more productive work environment, or if you’re a job seeker/holder who wants criteria by which to judge a workplace.

Also, if you’re not happy at work, and you’re trying to Identify the problem, take a look at this list. It suggests strategies for improving your situation. Not everything is within your control, of course, but perhaps you could identify for your boss what you need to change #2 from “no” to “yes” or to shift responsibilities so you get #3. Or can you make an effort to gain #10?

1. Do I know what is expected of me at work?
2. Do I have the materials and equipment I need to do my work right?
3. At work, do I have the opportunity to do what I do best every day?
4. In the last seven days, have I received recognition or praise for doing good work?
5. Does my supervisor, or someone at work, seem to care about me as a person?
6. Is there someone at work who encourages my development?
7. At work, do my opinions seem to count?
8. Does the mission/purpose of my company make me feel like my work is important?
9. Are my co-workers committed to doing quality work?
10. Do I have a best friend at work? [But don’t have an office affair!]
11. In the last six months, have I talked with someone about my progress?
12. This last year, have I had opportunities at work to learn and grow?

The first six questions have the strongest links to business outcomes (productivity, profitability, retention, and customer satisfaction).

I was also interested to see that the study suggested that people’s opinions of their workplaces are more determined by their immediate manager than by the overall company. It was their direct manager – not money, benefits, perks, or a charismatic leader at the top – that was the critical element for people.

careers, Jobs Indonesia, Indonesia Vacancy

Sixteen Tips for Feeling Happier at Work.

Every Wednesday is Tip Day.
This Wednesday: Sixteen tips for being happier at work.
Being happy at work is, of course, quite related to how much you like your job, but there are small steps you can take to boost your mood. Maintaining the comfort of your body, sprinkling a few small pleasures throughout your day, using your time wisely – a little thought can mean a lot more happiness at work.
As Samuel Johnson observed, “It is by studying little things that we attain the great art of having as little misery, and as much happiness as possible.”

Your work space:
1. Check for eyestrain: put your hand to your forehead in a salute. If your eyes feel relieved, your space is too bright. When I got my three monitors (an investment which makes me ecstatically happy, by the way), I had to turn down their brightness levels because the glare was terrible.
2. Get a good desk chair and take the time to adjust it properly.
3. Sit up straight — every time I do, I instantly feel more energetic and cheerier.
4. Indulge in a modest spulrge, i.e., consider whether there are ways to spend money that would make a big difference. Could you invest in some desk accessories to help you stay organized? Could you replace an inconvenient lamp with something that works better?
5. Get a phone headset. I resisted for a long time, but it’s really much more comfortable. The phone headset is like the rolling suitcase: yes, you look a little silly, but it makes life a lot easier.
6. Don’t keep treats around. A handful of M&Ms each day might mean a weight gain of five pounds by year’s end. My husband used to work at an office that kept a kitchen fully stocked with treats. When he switched jobs, he dropped about ten pounds, which actually had me a little worried until we figured out the reason.
7. Periodically, take time to deep-clean the loose papers that have piled up. I never do this until I specifically schedule a time, but am always amazed at the wonderful calm it brings.
Your day:
8. Never say “yes” on the phone; instead, say, “I’ll get back to you.” When you’re actually speaking to someone, the desire to be accommodating is very strong, and can lead you to say “yes” without enough consideration.
9. Take care of difficult calls or emails as quickly as possible. Procrastinating just makes it harder; getting them done gives a big boost of relieved energy.
10. When accepting a responsibility, imagine that it’s something that you’ll have to do next week. That way you don’t agree to a task just because it seems so far off that it doesn’t seem onerous.
11. Be honest about how you’re spending your time. You feel overwhelmed, but are you really working hard? How much time do you spend surfing the internet, chatting on the phone, looking for things you’ve misplaced, or doing tasks that are really someone else’s job?
12. Go outside at least once a day, and if possible, take a walk. The sunlight and activity is good for your focus, mood, and retention of information.
13. Even if you can’t go outside, take a ten-minute break each hour. Studies show that the break boosts your retention level.
14. Don’t let yourself get too hungry.
15. Try to make a lunch date with someone outside the office at least once a week.
16. Let yourself stay ignorant of things you don’t need to know.

careers, Jobs Indonesia, Indonesia Vacancy

C'mon, Get Happy: Tips for Staying Positive at Work

by Caroline M.L. Potter

It's a lot easier to put on a happy face at the office when things are going well. But in lean times amid hiring freezes and an unpredictable future, it can be difficult to remain optimistic when you're on the job, especially when bad news about the economy is prevalent.

Sonja Lyubomirsky, author of "The How of Happiness: A New Approach to Getting the Life You Want," has pinpointed several strategies to help anyone become happy. She claims, "Everything I say is based on science. The strategies I've chosen are supported by studies that have tested them."

To start seeing your morning cup of coffee as half full, Lyubomirsky recommends that workers:

1. Embrace Gratitude. "Focus on really appreciating what you have at work. Maybe it's a valued colleague or your boss. Or maybe it's merely the fact that you don't have to drive very far to get there," she says, adding, "You can also express gratitude directly to people in the workplace, which can really strengthen your connections with your coworkers."

2. Commit Random Acts of Kindness. Lyubomirsky recommends doing things to help your coworkers without being prompted. "Give a colleague a ride to the airport. Or offer up one of your own sick days to someone who doesn't have any left." She points out that the benefits of committing these acts are good for both parties. "It's a good thing to do -- and it also makes you happier in the process."

3. Be Optimistic. Instead of getting bogged down in the challenges of today, she urges, "Think about the future. Think about your goals. Imagine your dreams coming true." If you don't think about things in an optimistic way, you could fall prey to a self-fulfilling prophecy, in which you've set yourself up for failure.

4. Reach out to Others. Don't isolate yourself from your office mates. Instead, reach out and engage people. Lyubomirsky, who is a professor of psychology at University of California, Riverside, says, "Social support is very important. Being around other people boosts positive emotions. It's almost like a miracle!"

5. Refuse to Ruminate. When engaging with others around the workplace, focus on problem solving -- not stewing. Says the researcher and writer, "Rumination is just going over and over the same thing and dwelling on it. It doesn't go anywhere, and it just makes you feel worse. You think you're going to get insight, but you're really just going from A to B to A to B. Avoid going in a circle and try to problem-solve together to move forward.

There are also other practical and simple shortcuts to happiness, as discovered by a group of researchers in the U.K. and discussed in the BBC documentary "Making Slough Happy," which aired in 2005. They recommend any of these office-friendly tactics to help buoy your spirits:

* "Plant something and nurture it." There are plants that will thrive in even the lowest light, and caring for one can add a bright touch to a dreary workplace.

* "Give yourself a treat every day and take the time to really enjoy it." Whether it's a chocolate after lunch or a cup of your favorite tea, a rewarding ritual can help you feel positive.

* "Have a good laugh at least once a day." Find your funniest coworker -- or head over to Sling.com or YouTube.com -- for a chuckle on your lunch break.

* "Smile at and/or say hello to a stranger at least once each day." Perhaps it's during your commute or in the company cafeteria, but take time to spread some goodwill to someone you don't know.

careers, Jobs Indonesia, Indonesia Vacancy

How to Find a Fun Job

Everyone has worked his share of boring and unrewarding jobs. After a few years in a dull career, you may start to consider looking for a fun job. A fun job should be a profession that you find rewarding and also allows you to pay the bills.

Instructions

1.

Step 1

Consider your interests. A big part of finding a fun job is thinking about what type of career will make you happy. For example, if you love to travel, you could get a job as a travel agent. Party-lovers might consider a career as a wedding planner.

2.

Step 2

Take a career quiz. Career quizzes uses your strengths and interests to pair you up with a job that you are likely to find enjoyable. Career quizzes are available online and offered through campus career services.

3.

Step 3

Apply for jobs at places that have a fun atmosphere. An easy way to find a fun job is to look at the places that you consider entertaining. If there is a theme park or boardwalk in your area, look for a job there.

4.

Step 4

Get a job on a cruise ship. Working on a cruise ship is a lot of fun and it also gives you a chance to travel. Look on a cruise line's website to see which openings are currently available.

5.

Step 5

Look through the classifieds to find a fun job. Browse though your newspaper or an online job search engine to get an idea of what jobs appeal to you.

careers, Jobs Indonesia, Indonesia Vacancy

20 Tips to Become More Productive and Happy at Work - Bagian 2

Pada bagian pertama , telah dibahas 10 tips praktis bagaimana Anda bisa tetap produktif ditempat kerja, sekaligus menikmati tugas-tugas Anda. Pada tulisan ini kembali kami sajikan 10 tips praktis yang selanjutnya.

11. Tetap fokus , ketika konflik terjadi.

Tetap fokus pada pencapaian target Anda. Tetap melangkah maju! Jangan pusingkan “siapa yang benar, siapa yang salah, siapa yang menang, siapa yang kalah”. Tinggalkan semua “sampah” ini, tetap bergerak maju. Jangan ijinkan “timbunan sampah” ini mengganjal perjalanan Anda.

12. Secara rutin, ambil waktu untuk ”meliburkan” diri Anda.

Lakukan sesuatu yang sehat yang belum pernah Anda lakukan. Pergi ke tempat yang belum Anda kunjungi. Cicipi makanan yang belum pernah Anda coba. Alami sesuatu yang berbeda sama sekali. Warnai hidup Anda dengan berbagai warna. Jangan gunakan warna kehidupan yang itu-itu saja! Semua ini akan menyegarkan kembali jiwa dan pikiran Anda.

13. Minta masukan positif.

Datangi atasan Anda, atau rekan kerja Anda atau bahkan bawahan Anda. Tanyakan kepada dia, hal-hal positif apa saja yang telah lakukan. Kemajuan-kemajuan apa saja yang telah Anda kerjakan. Jangan pusingkan negative feedback dulu. Positive feedback akan memberikan kepada Anda rasa percaya diri yang lebih tinggi dan pada akhirnya munculkan rasa kepuasan terhadap prestasi Anda.

14. Proaktif untuk kerja sama.

Jangan takut untuk berinisiatif kerja sama dengan rekan kerja lainnya. Jangan menunggu diperintah atasan untuk “connect” dengan orang lain. Kreatifitas seringkali akan muncul saat kita kolaborasi dengan orang lain. Dan hal ini akan memunculkan semangat.

15. Prinsip potong buah nangka

Untuk menikmati buah nangka, Anda harus belah-belah buah nangka besar yang utuh ,menjadi potongan-potongan yang lebih kecil, dan baru kemudian Anda bisa mengambil buahnya untuk dinikmati. Sama halnya, bila Anda mendapatkan masalah, pilah-pilah masalah itu menjadi potongan masalah yang kecil-kecil, lalu selesaikan satu persatu

16. Minta waktu

Bila Anda ditanya suatu pertanyaan berat yang tidak bisa Anda jawab, mintalah waktu untuk mencari jawabannya. Cari waktu untuk bertanya, riset di internet, tanya ahlinya. Praktisnya, katakan,”Saya akan kembali nanti dengan jawabannya”. Hal ini akan menghindari Anda terjerumus kepada jawaban yang Anda akan sesali.

17. Latihan untuk buang kebiasaan negatif

Seminggu sekali, pikirkan secara khusus, satu kebiasaan buruk yang Anda mau buang pada minggu ini dan seterusnya. Misalnya Anda mau latihan membuang kebiasaan menunda. Tuliskan ”STOP MENUNDA” di post-it-note. Tempelkan di tempat yang sering Anda lihat, sebagai alat pengingat, Buat komitmen untuk laksanakan hari itu juga.

18. Belajar sesuatu dari kritikan orang lain.

Bila Anda mendapatkan kritikan dari orang lain, sekalipun orang yang paling Anda benci, jangan cepat-cepat menangkis (defense), Seringkali isi kritikan itu adalah sesuatu yang benar tentang diri Anda. Dengarkan – simak dengan baik – putuskan langkah positif apa yang perlu dilakukan untuk memperbaiki diri

19. Selalu beradaptasi terhadap perubahan

Daya beradaptasi adalah ”survival skill” paling utama didalam kehidupan. Orang yang tidak beradaptasi pada berbagai perubahan, akan mudah stress dan tertinggal. Bersikap terbuka dan selalu mau belajar pada hal-hal baru. Lihatlah perubahan sebagai hal yang menyenangkan dan sebagai obat rasa jenuh terhadap rutinitas yang sama

20. Milikilah target untuk meningkatkan ketrampilan terus menerus.

Jangan lupa, tidak peduli Anda kerja pada orang lain atau bisnis Anda sendiri, harga Anda tergantung pada kualitas keterampilan yang Anda jual. Semakin tinggi kualitas ketrampilan Anda, semakin ”mahal” harga Anda. Oleh karena itu, tingkatkan terus menerus ”barang dagangan Anda

Freddy Liong, MBA, CBA - Success@Work book writer & Coach

careers, Jobs Indonesia, Indonesia Vacancy

20 Tips to Become More Productive and Happy at Work - Bagian 1

Apakah Anda terjebak pada pola kerja yang sangat membosankan, yang membuat Anda menjadi jenuh dan tidak bahagia dengan pekerjaan Anda saat ini? Apakah Anda ingin lebih produktif dan mendapat kepuasan dalam pekerjaan Anda?

Berikut ini adalah beberapa tips untuk memperbaiki pola pikir, rutinitas dan gaya kerja Anda. Ikuti berbagai tips ini, dan Anda akan melihat perubahan yang terjadi!

1. Buatlah perencanaan

Mulailah hari Anda dengan memberikan ekstra waktu 15 menit setiap hari untuk menyusun perencanaan. Tuliskan 1 s/d 3 hal-hal yang terpenting yang harus Anda lakukan hari ini. Pikirkan 3 prioritas hari ini yang menunjang kearah target Anda. Dan jangan lupa, orang yang mudah jenuh dan bosan adalah orang yang tidak memiliki "peta kehidupan" yang jelas. Jadi buatlah "goal setting" Anda, baik jangka pendek maupun jangka panjang.

2. Buatlah "Power Question"

Tuliskan di sebuah "post-it-note" atau diselembar kertas, tulisan "Apakah saya sudah gunakan waktu saya dengan maksimal hari ini?" Tulisan pertanyaan ini akan menolong pikiran Anda untuk bertindak produktif dan keluar dari lingkaran malas-malasan.

3. Jangan jadi "Perfeksionis"

Seorang perfeksionis tidak akan pernah puas dengan apa yang dilakukan hari ini. Selalu saja ada kesalahan, ada problem dan ada hal yang tidak beres dengan tugas hari ini. Anda tidak bisa bertindak seperti Tuhan yang bisa menyelesaikan segala sesuatu dengan sempurna. Terimalah kekurangan yang terjadi. Yang penting, hal-hal utama sudah bisa terselesaikan.

4. Jangan langsung cek email

Kecuali apabila memang tugas Anda mengharuskan mengecek email dari menit ke menit, maka letakan urusan email setelah tugas yang paling penting bisa diselesaikan. Sadarkah Anda, berapa banyak orang yang terjebak dengan email dan berlama-lama didepan komputer dan melakukan hal-hal yang bukan prioritas utama?

5. Take a break

Setiap 1 - 2 jam berkonsentrasi didepan komputer atau tenggelam dengan segala macam analisa, ada baiknya bila Anda istirahat sejenak barang 10 - 15 menit. Hal ini akan memulihkan konsentrasi dan fisik Anda kembali .

6. Delegasi atau hapus

Delegasikan segala tugas-tugas yang "remeh" kepada staff Anda ( bila ada ). Fokus & prioritas pada tugas-tugas utama dan yang lebih penting. Bila perlu hapus segala kegiatan yang tidak menunjang target Anda hari ini, misalnya ngegosip, menjawab telpon tawaran kartu kredit, dsb.

7. Putuskan untuk selalu "happy", antusias, selalu mengucap syukur dan berpikiran positif

Menjadi sosok professional yang produktif dan kompetitif, tidak berarti Anda harus serius setiap saat. Buat keputusan untuk "happy all the time" dan latihan berespon positif walau sedang "puyeng 7 keliling". Hindari percakapan negatif yang akan meruntuhkan semangat Anda.

8. Menerima & memahami rekan kerja yang negatif

Orang yang bersikap dan berpikiran negatif, biasanya sedang mengalami masalah atau memiliki latar belakang yang kurang menyenangkan. Belajar untuk memahami mereka. Ketika Anda menjumpai orang yang menyebalkan, Anda hanya memiliki 2 pilihan, yaitu menjadi emosi dan tertular negatif atau tetapkan dalam pikiran Anda,"Dia pasti sedang mengalami masalah berat, saya akan coba untuk memotivasi dia". Intinya, Anda mau tersedot sikap negatif dia, atau Anda mau menebar aura positif kepada dia. Anda yang pilih!

9. Setahap demi setahap , bila Anda sedang banyak masalah

"Go slow!" Jangan terburu nafsu. Selesaikan satu persatu. Seperti melerai benang kusut, lakukan setahap demi setahap. Cari seseorang ( yang berpikiran positif ) untuk bisa bagi cerita masalah Anda. Sekali lagi, jauhi si "negative thinker" dan tukang gossip.

10. Jangan coba menggeser "gunung"

Pernah alami hal seperti ini ? Deadline ketat, boss yang "menyebalkan", pelanggan yang kasar, rekan kerja yang egois, computer yang "lemot" ( lambat ). Hadapi saja semua nya dengan mengucap syukur, jangan coba-coba punya keinginan untuk mengubah "gunung" yang tidak bisa digeser. Cari jalan lain, putar, u-turn, intinya, tujuan tetap harus tercapai. Jangan merengek dan mengeluh dikaki "gunung" dan buang-buang waktu!

Freddy Liong, MBA, CBA - Success@Work book writer & Coach

careers, Jobs Indonesia, Indonesia Vacancy

10 Tips From Gretchen Rubin on How to Be Happy at Work

Written by Gretchen Rubin; Selected by Nancy Clark

Being happy at work depends mostly on how much you like your job. But before you start looking for new employment, try implementing several of these smaller steps—they can boost your happiness as well. 1. Indulge in a modest splurge. For example, consider whether there are ways to spend money that would make a big difference. Could you invest in some desk accessories to help you stay organized? Could you replace an inconvenient lamp with something that works better? 2. Periodically, take time to deep-clean the loose papers that have piled up. I never do this until I specifically schedule a time, but am always amazed at the wonderful calm it brings. 3. Never say “yes” on the phone; instead, say, “I’ll get back to you.” When you’re actually speaking to someone, the desire to be accommodating is very strong, and can lead you to say “yes” without enough consideration. 4. Go outside at least once a day, and if possible, take a walk. The sunlight and activity are good for your focus, mood, and retention of information. Even if you can’t go outside, take a 10-minute break each hour. Studies show that the break boosts your retention level. 5. Try to make a lunch date with someone outside the office at least once a week. 6. Say “Good morning” to everyone. 7. Although some people believe it’s best to keep work life and personal life separate, and therefore avoid making friends with colleagues, for most people, having strong friendships makes work more fun. Science supports this: having close relationships is essential to happiness, strengthens the immune system, and reduces anxiety. Or, if you work alone, take time to mix with other people.Socializing boosts the moods of introverts, as well as extroverts. 8. Take care of difficult calls or emails as quickly as possible. Procrastinating just makes it harder; getting them done gives a big boost of relieved energy. 9. Be honest about how you’re spending your time. You feel overwhelmed, but are you really working hard? How much time do you spend surfing the internet, chatting on the phone, looking for things you’ve misplaced, or doing a task that’s really someone else’s job? 10. Lighten up. careers, Jobs Indonesia, Indonesia Vacancy