7 Ways To Be Happier At Work And Boost Your Career

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This article is part of an exclusive month-long program on CAREEREALISM to help readers break free of The Golden Handcuff Effect. Click HERE to learn more about the Professional Emancipation Project, a.k.a. The P.E.P. Talk.

Want to be happier at work today?

A brilliant person named Anonymous once said, “Attitude determines altitude.” In today’s workplace environment, it’s more important than ever to stay positive. We work in offices without walls and doors. We send and receive dozens, sometimes hundreds, of quick messages all day. Everyone knows everything about our work patterns, schedule, and mood. We are literally working in a workplace without boundaries, and we need to do everything we can to maintain the veneer of civility.

Feeling genuinely happy helps. Bosses and co-workers can read our feelings like an open book, so it’s helpful to do what we can to project a positive outlook.

Being happy on the job improves our reputation. Optimism makes us more resilient, able to adapt to new situations, and even more capable of solving problems faster. Happy employees receive better feedback from bosses and peers and enjoy more job satisfaction because work doesn’t feel boring, difficult, or unpleasant.

Ways To Be Happier At Work

Here are seven ways to smile all the way to your next raise:

1. Don Your “Rose Colored Glasses”

For every disappointment, find some aspect that makes it palatable. For example, maybe you didn’t snag the flashy assignment, but your fabulous pitch raised your profile with some people who matter.

2. Use Upbeat Language

Your words – on the phone, in e-mail, and in person – have a powerful, subliminal effect on others’ moods and impressions. Make yours pleasant and positive by jazzing up routine exchanges. For example, “I’d be delighted to!” is much better than “Sure,” and a thousand times better than the surly “Whatever.”

3. Cheer Yourself On

Write down ten statements that you’d tell your best friend if she suffered a career setback, such as, “You did the best you could, and you’ll do even better next time.” At any point in the day when you feel discouraged, pull out that list and give yourself a daily pep talk.

4. If A Complaint’s Coming On, Zip It

Complaining is contagious. It makes you feel worse, and it makes others around you feel significantly worse, too. If you can’t figure out a way to say something constructive about a problem or challenge, then keep mum. Acting cheerful in the face of challenges will boost your career and professional reputation.

5. Use “Secret” Mood Boosters

If you have a daunting workday ahead, listen to an anthem on your way to the office that puts you in a great mood and recharges your emotional batteries. Or use a good luck charm or accessory. Or wear one. Anything from a lucky suit to a lucky pen will work its magic, if it makes you feel more confident.

6. Take A “Play” Break

If you’re in a bad mood at the office, take a five-minute break to play a lighthearted game that you’re really good at, such as ken-ken, a crossword puzzle, or Wordogram on your iPhone. This will temporarily distract you from your negative mood, and enable you to experience a small win. The trick here is to get back to your work before the bad mood has a chance to resurface.

7. Be “Complimentary”

When you notice a co-worker doing something well, tell her. Sincere compliments and praise have a way of boomeranging back to you. Soon you’ll be getting positive feedback too.

The P.E.P. Talk

This article is part of our P.E.P. Talk Series. Over the next month, some of the brightest and best authors, business professionals, and coaches are coming together to share their valuable advice for breaking free of “The Golden Handcuff Effect” so you can take full ownership of your careers and experience Professional Emancipation.

Photo Credit: Shutterstock

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5 Comments

1. 

   Victor Vigil

   March 17, 2013 at 1:41 PM

   Put a positive spin on it. Start of the day positive and drive it.

   Reply
2. 

   Nick @ ayoungpro.com

   March 15, 2013 at 10:53 AM

   Great list. Also, sometimes you just have to fake it ’til you make it!

   Reply
3. 

   Brian C

   March 15, 2013 at 10:25 AM

   Humbug! Staying positive no matter what is disingenuous at best and fake at worst. It is sad that are currently cursed with a work culture that promotes Stepford men and women among other things. In order to improve the way we do business, we have to be able to come to terms with the negative things that go on in an office. Sometimes there are no silver linings when something bad happens. It is only human to acknowledge feelings of anger or sadness and we should vent those frustrations lest they fester into something worse. What is needed is a sense of perspective in that things will not stay the same forever. The storm clouds that are presently overhead will eventually go away and the sun will come out. What does not put us six feet under will make us stronger.

   Reply
4. 

   Holly Finch

   March 15, 2013 at 8:21 AM

   Staying positive is essential to success in a job search, while you are at work and even in your personal life! Nobody enjoys a complainer, half empty sad soul. I like the comedian who jokes, “Every day above ground is a good day!”

   Reply
5. 

   SUBROTO BANERJEE

   March 15, 2013 at 5:52 AM

   Encouraging and informative article,hope will benefit millions of demoralized employees across the globe.

   Reply