Be Happy at Work

Being content with your job is one of the most important issues you can deal with in your career. No one wants to feel like they're stuck in a job they hate. Here are 10 tips for making your workplace a happy place:

1. Stop worrying! When you're focused on personal issues while at work, it can be difficult to concentrate on your job. If your life is full of stress, it can be tough to come to work happy. Just like you need to leave work at work, you need to leave your personal problems at home – don't let them distract you. You want to be productive at your job and focus on work issues.
2. Embrace your space. You're at work for at least eight hours a day so make your work space as enjoyable as possible. Display pictures that bring a smile to your face. Bring in a lamp to create a more comfortable atmosphere. Think of things that make you happy and incorporate them into your office space decorating.
3. Make office buddies. Befriend people who have the same interests as you. Knowing people that have similar backgrounds or lifestyles will help you feel more at home in the workplace. Plus, you always have someone to hang out with at lunch!
4. Be healthy. Eating the right foods and drinking lots of water throughout the day do wonders to your energy level. Eating right also helps you have a better attitude about yourself and your surroundings.
5. Stay organized. Don't take on more projects than you can handle. When you can't find something or you feel overwhelmed, this leads to dissatisfaction with your job. Say no when necessary. Create a manageable schedule and organized work area.
6. Move! If you sit for long periods of time during the day, make sure you move around. Do some light stretches. Roll your wrists and stretch your hands. Remember to rest your eyes every so often if you stare at a computer screen all day.
7. Accept people. Don't let your coworker's behavior affect how you do your job. Since you can't change the people you work with, learn how to react to them. If conflicts arise, address them appropriately and move on. Don't let someone else's bad attitude put you in a bad mood.
8. Reward yourself. Occasionally reward yourself for a job well-done. Just like personal stress can interfere with work, the positive sides of life can affect your working mood, too.
9. Breathe! Multiple studies have been done that show how deep breathing exercises are great for your overall health. Make a conscious effort to take deep, long breaths throughout the day. Inhaling deeply can boost your energy, make you feel more alert and enhance your overall productivity at work.
10. Think happy thoughts. Focus on the positive things about your job instead of the negative things. Write down five things you enjoy or appreciate about your job. They could be simple things like being close to a window or a great coworker. Read over that list whenever you feel frustrated or discouraged with your job. Stressing the positives will make your job more pleasant.

Learn more about working in a career position that you love with Dan Miller's 48 Days to the Work You Love book.