10 steps to happiness

Because our moods affect our performance, it’s no surprise that our clients are increasingly aware of their employees’ emotional wellbeing. Employers are beginning to realise the impact that emotional wellbeing has on their employees’ performance. 32 per cent of UK employees are not happy at work and 86 per cent see a direct link between their performance and their mood. Here’s ten ways how you can improve both.

1. Take control. There are things you can change about your workplace. It may even be that you need to change jobs. Too many people are too passive and they stay in jobs they don’t enjoy. It’s kind of better the devil you know. They need to start taking control of the situation and start doing something about it.
    
2. Have the right attitude. Be positive and remind yourself of the good things about your job. Yes, you need skills and capabilities at work, but your attitude will take you a lot further.
    
3. Smile. Interaction with your colleagues is important. Being honest, open and authentic and having an expectation that people will come back with the same things.
    
4. Reduce stress. If you’re under too much pressure, tell somebody at work. If you’re working under pressure that you can’t handle and you live with that stress for a long time something will give. Either change your circumstances or something will change within you.
    
5. Matching values. Do you agree with your company’s values? It’s important for people when they are looking for jobs to look at what are their values and ask do the values match.
    
6. Research. It helps to research a company before you join. Ask about culture at interviews and talk to people who work there. It’s expensive for a company if somebody doesn’t work out and it’s expensive and psychologically difficult for somebody to go somewhere that doesn’t work for them.
    
7. Get feedback. This could be from your line manager or from a mentor. You’re expecting appreciation. Have you ever asked for it? Sometimes managers are under such pressure they don’t recognise they should appreciate people on their team.
    
8. Diversions. Everyone needs something to take his or her mind off work, so find an activity that allows you to switch off and that absorbs you to such an extent that you stop thinking about work.
    
9. Volunteer your time, energy and skills. Whether it's a one-off or something you do on a regular basis, volunteering is good all round. As well as making a positive contribution to the happiness of others, it's a great way to meet people, get the most out of your local area and to increase your own happiness and wellbeing.
    
10. Mind, body and soul. Exercise is good but you need to be more than simply physically fit. Physically, you could be superman or superwoman, but work in a place where nobody appreciates you and you feel miserable. Your mind will start to get stressed and when that happens you aren’t able to do your work and you have to spend longer to get your work done.

This leadership article...
was prepared for participants on our acclaimed 10/10 leadership development and mentoring programme. Whether you are a first time manager or an experienced leader, straightforward, practical advice on best practice is hard to find. Until now. To find out how you and your team can benefit, please contact us.

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