5 Keys to Happiness at Work

5 Keys to Happiness at Work

Last update: 27 April, 2020

No matter how much you love your job, it’s not uncommon for you to feel overwhelmed or drained once in a while. The commitments, responsibilities, and limitations it imposes on you can be stressful. Nevertheless, you can always achieve happiness at work. This is true even when you don’t really like the type of work you’re doing.

A constructive attitude along with a high level of motivation contributes to your happiness at work. Perhaps your job isn’t perfect, but there are ways of adopting a positive perspective. This perspective will allow you to concentrate on all of the positive things it offers you.

“When work is pleasure, life is a joy! When work is a duty, life is slavery.”

-Maxim Gorky-

When you’re able to be happy at work, you improve your quality of life. Work is one of the places you spend most of your time at. Additionally, many of your plans depend on it. Even your well-being depends on it. Here are five keys to happiness at work.

1. Focus on the present

Many problems, especially those related to stress and anxiety, exist more in the mind than in reality. They arise from negative expectations regarding what could happen in the future. For example, you may imagine problems that haven’t even happened yet.

All of this creates enormous psychological exhaustion. Under such circumstances, it becomes impossible to be happy at work. In fact, the opposite happens. Work becomes a distressing place because you always fear the worst. The antidote is to focus on the present. It’s to worry only about the tasks you have to do today.

A woman working at the computer experiencing happiness at work.

2. Collaborate with others in order to achieve happiness at work

There are many times in life when the best way to help yourself is by helping others. The simple fact of being sensitive to other people’s needs and problems is something that enriches you as a human being. At the same time, it helps you pop the bubble of egocentrism that only brings unease.

If you set a goal of doing positive things for others, you’ll surely be able to achieve happiness at work. Furthermore, you’ll be able to feel happy in your other environments. You may discover, little by little, that others’ behavior toward you has turned more friendly and understanding. This will noticeably improve your working conditions and will fill your days with special energy.

3. Learn to take breaks

One of the most common problems workers have is a lack of balance between their work and rest. Breaks are really important, too. A person who is fatigued won’t be productive and will be more likely to make mistakes and overlook important details. Also, a fatigued person is less creative and sharp.

When you’re tired, it takes you an hour to do what you usually can do in thirty minutes. Aside from that, you easily fall into bad moods. As such, you have to constantly mix work and breaks. You should do this throughout the working day with active pauses.

4. Appreciate things and be thankful

Being happy at work is easier if you take a moment to think every day before getting started. Appreciating your job and stopping to think about its benefits can change your perspective. You should think about how much it benefits you.

You surely have many reasons to be thankful for each working day. The sole fact of having the abilities to undertake your work is a reason to feel thankful. The ability to make money is another reason to be grateful.

5. Create a “haven”

It’s easier to get motivated when you make your workspace enjoyable for you. If possible, personalize the objects around you as much as you can. Give your environment a personal touch. This will definitely make you feel better!

Table decorated with flowers representing happiness at work.

It’s also appropriate to create your own rest “havens”. These are special places where you can spend your free time. Such environments should make you feel serene and happy.

Happiness at work is a true blessing. That being said, such happiness rarely comes on its own. You generally have to create the conditions for it to bloom. If you’re able to achieve it, this will definitely improve your overall well-being.


This text is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace consultation with a professional. If in doubt, consult your specialist.