Gratefulness

10 Kickass Ways to Be Happier at Work Today

April 29, 2016 by Wilma Jones Leave a Comment

10 Kickass Ways to Be Happier at Work Today

Your happiness is controlled by one person. You. It’s your outlook that makes the difference in whether today is a happy one, or not so much. Maybe you think that those things that irritate you at work have big impact regarding whether your day is good or bad. But in reality you have control over how you view the things that happen today.

People focused on positivity are sometimes characterized as viewing life through ‘rose colored glasses.’ And I ask, “Why not?” What is wrong with putting a positive spin on everything that happens in our lives? It’s like that Dr. Seuss quote advises us, “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.”

In the spirit of finding something to smile about, even when things don’t go your way, I offer these 10 suggestions to increase the positivity in your workday, today!

BEFORE YOU GO TO THE OFFICE/START WORK

1. Start Your Day with a Positive Outlook

The way you start your day has a big effect on whether that day turns out to be good or bad. Your thoughts, speech and behavior definitely influence the mood of your day. Make sure the thoughts you allow yourself to think and the words you choose are positive. When you emit negativity, that is the energy you attract.

2. Drink a Glass of Water Before You Have Your Morning Coffee

Many of us need that jolt of caffeine to get us started in the morning. But we also need to hydrate our bodies. Science has proven that drinking water as soon as you awaken boosts your metabolism and helps your brain function better. It addition, it helps to rid your body of toxins.

3. Take a short walk before you head to the office.

Whether you take a few moments to walk around the block or jump on treadmill (dreadmill for me) you will lower your stress levels. If that walk is outside you will think more creatively. In addition, you gain a sense of accomplishment from having completed a little exercise. Trust that it really works!

4. Eat Breakfast with Plenty of Protein.

People who eat a breakfast with at least 13 grams of protein are better able to manage their weight. In addition, this helps to keep your blood sugar and cholesterol at a healthier level.

WHILE ON THE JOB

5. Thank a Colleague

Gratitude is called the “Number 1 way to supercharge your happiness.” Take a moment and send an email, call or stop by a coworker’s desk to thank them for something they did to help you or a customer the previous day. It will make your day happier and theirs!

6. Smile

Research has proven that smiling will put you in a better mood and reduce stress. Even if you’re faking the smile, you will feel better.

7. Stay Hydrated and Drink Another Serving of Water Before Lunch

Drinking a glass of water before meals helps you to eat less at the meal. And remember water helps to energize your body. Take a mid-morning break to hydrate yourself. You’ll also boost your brain function again.

8. Eat a Healthy Lunch

Step away from the fast food counter. Researchers have announced yet another study about why fast food is bad for you. The latest results confirm that these processed foods have been show to contain the same components found in soap and makeup. Yup, it’s that scary! Maybe you should consider brown bagging it or hitting up the salad spot near your office for your midday meal.

9. When that 3 PM Slump Hits Take Another Short Walk

Taking a leisurely lunchtime stroll around 3 PM is better for boosting your energy than having yet another cup of coffee. Whether it’s a walk around the building or a stroll among the cubicles, an afternoon walk helps to battle stress and improve your thinking. As little as 10 minutes can

BEFORE YOU DEPART FOR THE DAY

10. Make a List of the 5 Most Important Things to Accomplish Tomorrow

Making a list of your top priorities for the next day helps you feel empowered and in control. You depart from your desk knowing what you need accomplish in the morning.

Do you have other tips to help make us happier at the job?

Two Words Can Make a Huge Difference

April 8, 2016 by Wilma Jones Leave a Comment

Two Words Can Make a Huge Difference

The workplace is the place you’re least likely to hear the words, “Thank you.” A 2012 study documents that 90% of workers do not show gratitude to their colleagues on a daily basis. And the results are even worse for bosses. Only 7% of workers thank their bosses for anything regularly. That is a pretty sad state of gratitude in American companies.

Statistics document that a workplace environment where people feel gratitude from management and are encouraged to show thankfulness to one another, reduces employee turnover and increases profit. Why then, is it so hard to accomplish? One of the biggest issues is management. As many of us have heard in our careers, the company shows their thankfulness for our efforts in the form of a paycheck. But obviously, that is not enough to motivate people over the longer term. That’s why so many of us think to ourselves at the end of the weekend, “Is it Monday already?”

The best way to begin to change this course is to ask your employees what way they would like to be recognized when management wants to thank them for their efforts. People are not the same and what one person enjoys in terms of thanks may not be accepted the same way by another employee. For example, some people want to be acknowledged in front of other staff, maybe in a team meeting. Others would prefer comp time off to enjoy with their family outside the office. Find out what is important to your staff and figure a way to show gratitude in a way they will really appreciate.

I remember when I started out in my first sales gig. I so craved to be on the top of the stack ranking board. I wanted to earn the glamorous trips the top performers were awarded every year. When I won a trip to London in my second year of sales, I was over the moon with pride and happiness! However, after more than 25 years and hundreds of thousands of miles in travel, the thought of taking a trip with a few hundred of my (not) closest coworker-friends is not something I am thankful for. There are other ways to motivate me as a seasoned sales management person.

Your next best move if you manage a team is to start gradually. If you haven’t been a “thanker’, you can’t just walk in and start showing gratitude to everyone. It will be received as insincere. You need to take baby steps toward gratitude. Start with simple conversations with your team. Or maybe even launch a survey asking your team what they value in terms of recognition and thanks for their efforts.

Be sincere and be realistic. Remember that the most important relationship a person has at work is with their immediate supervisor. Make sure your team knows you care and you appreciate their work. That is the biggest indicator of work happiness. Reduced turnover and increased productivity are the by-products of building a great team based on showing gratitude to one another.

What are your thoughts about showing gratitude at work?

4 Reasons You Should Show Your Clients Gratitude

March 16, 2016 by Iman Leave a Comment

4 Reasons You Should Show Your Clients Gratitude

Source: Why it is so important to express gratitude in your business

Gratitude is the center of all things good. Do you know why? It’s because gratitude allows you to put things into perspective. When you recognize the good in a situation it obviously allows you to look at things in a more positive way, even if it seemed negative in the beginning. This is the main reason you should always show your clients gratitude; because if it weren’t for them you wouldn’t have a job or a business.

Here are 4 additional reasons you should show your clients gratitude.

#1. When you show your clients kindness and gratitude, they are more inclined to refer you and speak positively of your business.

#2. It’s much harder to secure new clients than it is to satisfy and keep your current clients happy. Remember the rule that you get 80% of your business from 20% of your customers.

#3. Your number one asset is your client relationships; negative client relationships don’t lead to good things for you or them.

#4. Giving to others is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself. Studies have shown that when people help each other, they release additional endorphins, the feel good hormones.

Now remember these four reasons the next time one of your clients is being demanding.

What are your thoughts about showing gratitude to your customers?

This article covers the mindfulness and gratitude pillars of the Living Happier @Work program.

Get Happier With Gratitude

February 10, 2016 by Iman 1 Comment

Get Happier With Gratitude

Source: 5 Simple Ways To Improve Your Life Through Gratitude

Most people know the saying, ‘you never know what you’ve got until it’s gone;’ but no one ever wants to experience it, because it means you’ve lost something. Gratitude is one powerful way to keep that classic saying from coming true and your feeling regret. Gratitude is so powerful because it helps you put things into perspective. You may be struggling with something in your life, but when you start comparing yourself to others, you realize that the grass is not always greener on the other side. In an effort to keep you in a positive, grateful mindset here are 5 ways to incorporate gratitude into your life.

#1. Write it down – Keeping a gratitude journal is a great way to record the things that you’re grateful for every day. It’s also a great tool to go back to when you’re not feeling so positive to remind yourself of all that you have.

#2. Find the silver lining – Everything is a matter of perspective. Do you look at your glass as half full or half empty most of the time? Every situation has a silver lining, look for the good in it and appreciate that.

#3. A thank you goes a long way – Say thank you to the people that serve you every day, whether that be your barista, a taxi cab driver, hairdresser or babysitter. They will greatly appreciate your kindness.

#4. Show your love – Make sure the people closest to you; your wife or husband, your kids or others know how much they mean to you and how much they are an important part of your life.

#5. Show it on social media – Your reach is huge on social media, be that person that shares something positive on their timeline. You never know how you’re impacting others that may just need a little pick me up.

Now start impacting the world with your gratitude.

This article covers the gratitude and kindness pillars of the Living Happier @Work program.

10 Kickass Ways to Be Happier at Work Today

10 Kickass Ways to Be Happier at Work Today

1. Start Your Day with a Positive Outlook

2. Drink a Glass of Water Before You Have Your Morning Coffee

3. Take a short walk before you head to the office.

4. Eat Breakfast with Plenty of Protein.

5. Thank a Colleague

6. Smile

7. Stay Hydrated and Drink Another Serving of Water Before Lunch

8. Eat a Healthy Lunch

9. When that 3 PM Slump Hits Take Another Short Walk

10. Make a List of the 5 Most Important Things to Accomplish Tomorrow

Two Words Can Make a Huge Difference

Two Words Can Make a Huge Difference

4 Reasons You Should Show Your Clients Gratitude

Get Happier With Gratitude

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