How to be happy at work

I have visited Google headquarters and their cluster of buildings in Mountain View California. What I read about Google is true. Working at Google sounds very cool. There’s free food, engineers are enabled to spend 20 percent of their time on their own projects and most importantly, a work environment that makes sure fun, play and creative thinking are all incorporated. But suppose your work place is not like Google? Suppose you could never have imagined that work would be fun because yours isn’t? What can you do?

We had a very successful seminar last week. The ballroom was packed. CNN Hero of the Year Efren Penaflorida arrived the night before from America but made good his commitment to show up in my seminar. Popular TV host TJ Manotoc gave a short sharing. He did not know I would ask him to do so. As he went up the stage he mumbled and said, “How can I refuse you Francis?” He really is one all around good guy.

I found out that another genuine Filipino hero was in town. Called her up the night before and invited her to drop in and give a talk and she graciously accepted my invitation. Dr. Josette Biyo, the multi-awarded teacher (now school directress) from Iloilo brought the house down with her story, humor and testimony. The audience was gracious. We were pressed for time but they stayed on overtime allowing me the opportunity to complete my presentation.

Dr. Biyo did say something extremely thought provoking. She said, “You need to love your work. And if you cannot find yourself working on loving your work, you need to leave your work and try something else.” It may sound harsh but it is actually practical. Would you waste your entire life trapped to a work you loathe and refuse to make something out of yourself? The problem here is that your work will be mediocre and you may not be doing your company a favor. But before leaving, perhaps I could offer some suggestions on how to be happy at work? 

1. Choose to be happy.

Get real! Not everyone can have an ideal work place and not everyone can have the best boss ever but you can always choose how you would respond (not react) to the situation.

2. Count the good things.

Whether you care to admit it or not, I am sure there are certain aspects about your work that are positive so don’t just count and keep tab on the negative experiences, you had, be grateful about the positive experiences and benefits you have.

3. Continue developing yourself.

Raise up your personal bar. Strive for excellence and never settle for average. Read books, attend seminars and add more skills to your repertoire. The more knowledge you acquire the more options you will have. This is not only ideal this is essential.

4. Stick close to positive people.

Negative people can suck away your energy and passion. Stay away from them. Do not be interested in office gossip. Stick to people who can add value to your personality and character.

5. Live a healthy lifestyle.

Exercise. Watch carefully what you eat. Drink plenty of water. If your body is weak, then being happy would be difficult to attain.

6. Do what you love.

Get a hobby. Go into sports. Do something you look forward to doing everyday and when this is balanced to an unhappy work place, your current job won’t seem so bad.

7. Leave your work problems at work and leave your home problems at home.

Do not allow your problems to cross boundaries. Do not drag your family members into your realm of unhappiness.

8. Learn to say no.

Make only commitments you can keep. Do not fill up your calendar with activities that do not add value to your success goals. Say no to activities that would achieve nothing but rob you of your time.

Of course, you can always make your current job work or decide that it is time to quit your job. This is why you have to be courageous. But before you hand over your resignation understand one thing. Most successful people came from unhappy backgrounds and worked for bosses who are jerks but they rose beyond their situations and win. So allow me to make one final suggestion. Wouldn’t you pray that God occupies your heart with gladness in what you do? This may yet be the best suggestion ever.

And now that you know you have to make your choice. 

(Francis Kong’s new book “Duh!?” is now available in all leading  bookstores nationwide.)