By: Marlene Cosain
Happiness: It’s the pursuit so many people are on! Besides love, it is the one feeling people spend their life trying to get and maintain. Why? It’s only our human nature to want to feel loved, cared for and to enjoy the best life has to offer. When we have a sense of happiness, we take on adversities with open arms and an open mindset as opposed to a pessimist. Our health is stronger, our relationships are fulfilling, and when we work with purpose, it’s powerful, but let’s be truthful to ourselves. As much as we like to say we are happy, many days come with challenges, and it can completely change our mood and have a major effect on our day.
If you are anything like me, my face betrays my words 100% of the time. If I am upset, happy, sad, my emotions are always transparent by either my facial expressions or the way I carry myself. That is why if I ever feel shy of one hundred, people immediately ask me if something is wrong.
Others are completely in their own world of stress, deadlines, projects, relationship troubles and so much more. They are so in their worries that they don’t even notice they are transmitting low levels of happiness that others pick up on. Now, if you are surrounded by six sad people, your chances of becoming number seven are high because we adapt to our environment. Energies are contagious! For example, if the manager is grumpy, it’s going to set the mood for the rest of the workplace, so it’s important to lead from the front and set that example of a positive work environment. It’s almost like a domino effect you don’t want around your workplace.
Happiness Buddies!
One great way to make sure that everyone is keeping their happiness levels in check is by having happiness partners! For instance, at work Rachel sits next to me and is really great at picking up when my mood is not the best. She takes the time, to ask me if everything is okay. Most of the time it makes me realize that I was in a bad mood and it was showing in my work and towards my coworkers. Sometimes I didn’t even realize I was being grumpy, until she asked me what was wrong. Once it was pointed out for me, it made me be more conscious of the energy I was giving and helped me get to the root of why I was in the mood I was in.
It’s not what you say, it’s how you say it
When you’re trying to cheer someone up, be mindful of how you are addressing them. Some may take it as an attack and then get defensive. The last thing you want to do is create an argument over something that had a good intention behind it. Your happiness buddy should in a sense be someone that you are close with, that you trust, and someone who knows your personality. It makes it easier for you to be approached by a close friend rather than someone from left field that you don’t necessarily have an established relationship with.
Making sure that your employees are happy is the foundation for success. Checking up on each other creates a sense of compassion between a team. So grab a buddy and make sure there are more smiles and positive energies going around the office. When your team is happy, it changes everything!
