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Many of you may be on the Mortuary Management email list, and have already read this piece. (Headlining the most recent issue!) But, in case you missed it, I think it’s a great way to start your Monday….

On the Value of Happiness

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about happiness. What is it? How do we get more of it? And why should we want it? It could be that I just celebrated my birthday – a time of reflection for most folks, but when you’re in your mid-fifties, you’re extra-prone to thinking about the meaning of life –and your own life in particular.

Well, over two thousand years ago, Aristotle wrote, “Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence.” If that doesn’t sum it up, I don’t know what does.

Aristotle may have had a wider view of the value of happiness as “the meaning and purpose of life,” but I’d like to narrow our focus down to the value happiness in the workplace.

Gretchen Rubin, in her best-selling book, The Happiness Project, told her readers that “research has shown that happy people are more altruistic, more productive, more helpful, more likeable, more creative, more resilient;” friendlier, and …and this is really something to think about…healthier.

Happy employees outperform those who are less happy. They (happily) work more hours each week; are cooperative and less self-involved; more willing to share the workload and get the job done. They also learn faster, are more energetic, and more motivated. Sounds great to me!

If happy people are better employees, managers, and co-workers, it stands to reason we should be nurturing happiness in ourselves and those around us. Not just once a year at the company picnic, or holiday gathering; but every single day; even when the economy is less than stellar.

How can you do that? While a down economy can affect your happiness and performance at work if you let it, here are four things that you can do to boost your happiness and performance at work, any time:

1. Find meaning and purpose in the work. Keep client family ‘thank you letters’, and re-read when discouraged. Make sure you get enough rest. When you get tired, everything gets harder.

2. Show your gratitude for what you do at work. I’m a firm believer in the power of gratitude to shift thinking. That’s why I keep a gratitude journal.

3. Confront and dispute your favorite negative thoughts that can consume your daily thinking. What do they say? We have over 60,000 thoughts a day, and most are repetitive, and many are negative. Change the tone of your thoughts from negative to positive. For example, instead of thinking “This problem is too difficult,” think “This problem is challenging.” If you think negatively about someone, remember positive things about that person. Shift your attention to the positive side.

4. Identify, affirm and find creative ways to do what you do best each day at work. And don’t forget your co-workers. What do they do best? How can you fully engage their strengths?

I mentioned my birthday early on in this column. The big question: am I happier at 56 than at 46? And, if so, why? The answer is a resounding “yes!” And here’s one reason why: because I know myself well-enough to live authentically; to accept me, and be me.

With that said, by allowing everyone in the workplace to be authentic, to play to their own pleasures (we all have things we love to do at work) and strengths (usually those same things we love to do) will create more happiness for all; better relationships, better workdays. Now that’s happiness!

If you’d like to learn more about the book The Happiness Project, see the website, www.happiness-project.com. Gretchen also has a companion site, The Happiness Project Toolbox, www.happinessprojecttoolbox.com/.