How to Find Happiness at Work

Happiness. Zappos believes in delivering it. Coke wants you to open it. Countless books try to help you achieve it. Research demonstrates that you are more productive with it. And yet the truth is that so few people feel it at work. Why? Is it because leaders don’t create "happy" workplaces? Is it because work is inherently miserable? Or perhaps it's because of our attitudes about work? There's really no definitive answer here.

A negative boss, bad working conditions and a toxic culture can certainly make people unhappy. I’ve also seen how leaders can create happier and more productive employees by creating the right culture and work environment. However, I believe the biggest determinant of our happiness at work is... us.
Our happiness has less to do with forces outside of us and more to do with what's inside of us.

Happiness is an inside job.

I’ve met bus drivers, janitors and fast-food employees who are more passionate about their jobs and happier than some professional athletes making millions of dollars. Our happiness comes not from the work we do but from how we feel about the work we do. And to feel great about the work we do it’s essential to fuel up with passion and purpose. As I wrote in The Seed, happiness is a byproduct of living and working with passion and purpose.

But Jon, I don't know what my passion and purpose is, you might say.

It's ok. The first step is to be the SEED, plant yourself where you are and begin to serve and make a difference. When you plant yourself and make a difference passion flows through you, purpose begins to reveal itself, people want to be around you and you feel happier.

When you work with passion and purpose you don't have to seek happiness, rather it finds you.

Start planting and cultivating it today!

Written by Jon Gordon
www.JonGordon.com

The Grass Isn't Greener

We often think that the grass will be greener somewhere else.
We believe we'll be happier and more successful anywhere but where we are.
And so we pursue happiness.
And chase success.
Thinking one day we will magically find them. But rarely will we find happiness and success by seeking them.
I've learned if you want success you can't chase it.
Instead, you must decide to make a difference where you are... and success will find you.
I've learned if you want to find happiness don't seek it.
Instead, decide to work with passion and purpose... and happiness will find you.
Happiness is a byproduct of feeling fulfilled.
The key to experiencing real success and true happiness is to be The Seed and plant yourself.
When you plant yourself where you are with a passionate desire to make a difference you'll grow into the influencer you were born to be.
When you serve in small ways you get more opportunity to serve in bigger ways.
Too many people want instant success and gratification right now! Too many athletes want to be traded because think they'll be more successful on another team. Too many employees complain that their co-workers aren't working hard enough and this affects their own performance. Too many sales people compare themselves to others and because frustrated and disengaged. Too many people worry about what everyone else is doing instead of focusing on what they are doing. Too many people run from challenges instead of developing stronger roots.
If you are like me, you've been one of these people. Most of us have at one time or another. It's human nature after all.
That's why I want to encourage you to remember that your job is not to worry about things you can't control.
Your job is not to run away from where you are in the hope of finding greener pastures.
Your job is to plant yourself each day and be the best you can be and bring out the best in others.
Your job is to grow yourself and grow others.
When you do this and allow yourself to be used for a greater purpose, a greater purpose will move through you and bring greater opportunities, greater success and greater joy and happiness to you.
The greenest pasture is not somewhere else. It's the place where you plant yourself and grow into the leader you were born to be. When you do, you'll produce an abundant harvest filled with real success and true happiness.

Written by Jon Gordon; www.JonGordon.com