Happiness

14 posts
Ikigai: Are You Doing What Brings You Joy?

Ikigai: Are You Doing What Brings You Joy?

Ikigai is a Japanese concept and is comprised of two Japanese characters—iki (meaning life) and gai (meaning value or worth) which together signify values that make life worth living or your “reason to get up in the morning.” It encompasses a sense of purpose and fulfillment in daily life including the pursuit of personal passions, hobbies, family/personal/social relationships, and community. So not only does ikigai represent finding joy, but it recognizes how individuals are interconnected, and their impact in a broader social sense.

You may have more than one ikigai with different things fulfilling different parts of your life. Also, depending on your experiences or stage of life, your ikigai can change or evolve over time. For example, if you have a baby, that child may become your ikigai (or a grandparent’s ikigai).

The concept of ikigai originated in Japan. A high concentration of centenarians (100+-year-olds) live in Okinawa, and they believe that finding ikigai improves your overall well-being and longevity and provides a sense of purpose (with a healthy diet, regular exercise, social connections, and a positive attitude). These individuals have figured out that finding their ikigai gives them a reason to get up in the morning, giving them fulfillment each day to live such long active lives. Ikigai doesn’t have to be complicated and may be as simple as gardening, dancing/singing, or even sipping a favorite tea. My mom’s friend, Tsuchino (who is over 90 years old), told me that her ikigai is playing sudoku.

My ikigai is cooking, which was inspired by my mom. Not only did she cook every day for our family, but she loved to cook for friends and neighbors. I remember them sitting around the kitchen table, talking/laughing, and savoring her homemade gyozas. My mom was sharing a part of herself, and I cherish her gyoza recipe. Despite how hectic my life can be sometimes, it energizes me to cook for others (curiously trying new recipes). I even bake and mail cookies to unsuspecting family/friends. Someone may not be having a “great” day and that box of cookies shows them that I was thinking of them. Sharing my love for cooking gives me immense joy and is my ikigai!

The Western Interpretation Of Ikigai


Ikigai concept

The Western interpretation of ikigai captures some of the original Japanese concept, but it focuses on career-centric aspects and is typically depicted by the above Venn diagram. Even within the Japanese concept, your ikigai could be work. The philosophy is to align personal passions with professional pursuits to find meaningful work by determining:

  • What you love,
  • What you are good at,
  • What you can be paid for, and
  • What the world needs.

The intersection and convergence of these four elements is your ikigai (although ikigai is not necessarily something you need to be paid for within the Japanese concept). Again, depending on the stage of your career, your ikigai can change or evolve over time. For example, maybe you’re considering pivoting and starting your own company or buying a franchise. Also, you can have more than one ikigai. Besides your regular job, maybe you get fulfilled from volunteering or helping the community.

There is a quote by Confucius, “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” So don’t wait until you’ve retired to find your ikigai. Finding your passion and mission can increase your work satisfaction and overall career fulfillment.

For me, I gravitate towards roles where I transform chaos into calm and figured out that this is my “work” ikigai. I understand why I’m passionate about helping companies that have been enduring too much distress and solving those complex problems with practical solutions. I also love sharing my knowledge through mentoring, volunteering (such as STEM organizations), and even creating LinkedIn content.

Understanding Your Ikigai


Ikigai is understanding your whole self over your lifetime, and the key is to appreciate the present moment and do the things you value and give your life meaning. Even after you “retire from work,” what will bring you joy and give you a reason to get up in the morning?

What is your ikigai? If you don’t know, you can start by self-reflecting. When are you the happiest (putting a smile on your face just thinking about it)? Or what activities do you look forward to doing in the future? Realizing what’s important to you and what you enjoy actively doing will bring you closer to finding your ikigai. To me, life is too short not to enjoy it . . . and find the simple things that will bring you joy each day!

For more information about ikigai and finding values that make life worth living, follow me on LinkedIn!

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Ikigai: Are You Doing What Brings You …

3 Ways To Improve Your Professional Happiness Using Your Career Decoder Results



The Career Decoder Quiz unlocks your professional strengths and potential. I'm going to walk you through three ways you can use your results to improve your own career happiness, success, and satisfaction.

I built the Career Decoder Quiz back in 2015 and, as of today, hundreds of thousands of people have taken the quiz. When I first shared it with our members and followers, I got a comment from someone on LinkedIn with a PhD in psychology who said their results were spot-on accurate. It truly made my day because I always knew that this information was important and accurate but it's very validating when you hear other individuals saying that as well.

How To Use The Career Decoder Quiz To Unlock Professional Success


The Career Decoder Quiz is all about your workplace personas. Your workplace personas explain how you like to add value and how you like to create value and results for your employer when you're doing work. And this is important to understand because you're not an employee. You're a business-of-one, and you're selling your services to the employer. You want to be able to sell services that you enjoy providing. That's how you find satisfaction in your career.

I've worked with thousands of people over the last 20 years. I've been a career coach for a long time, and I know that the number one reason people are so unhappy is that they're not internally motivated by their work. The technical term is "intrinsic motivation." It means it's work you desire to do and that's exactly what the career decoder results reveal. You're going to feel more satisfied naturally when you're doing the kind of work your results say you should do.

When we work with people inside the Work It DAILY platform, when our career coaches help our members, what we normally find is that they're doing work that is not leveraging their top two or three workplace personas. The Career Decoder Quiz is going to tell you you're top personas. When you get your results, anything that scores 20% or higher means it's a strength of yours. It's a persona that you prefer to leverage. Some people only have one. Some people have a couple of them. But you can't be all eight, so you're going to see what you prefer to do and how you prefer to deliver that value.

The first way (and probably the most important way) you should be using the results of the Career Decoder Quiz is to get very clear on the kind of work you want to do.

We had a client take the Career Decoder Quiz. He was a very successful executive. In his current role, he was known as an Optimizer. (That's one of the eight workplace personas.) He was very good at looking at problems in the company and fixing them. But he wasn't fulfilled in this work. When he took our quiz, it turned out that his top three workplace personas were Mentor, Visionary, and Educator.

What he preferred to do was coach others. He preferred to share a vision, help people connect the dots, and see things that they couldn't see on their own. He also wanted to close gaps in knowledge and information.

So what we did was work together to quantify his skills and abilities in these three areas—the ways he preferred to work—and then he went to his leadership team and expressed the fact that he really wanted to find work within the organization that allowed him to leverage these three areas. And, lo and behold, the executive team said to him, "We've been waiting for you to say this." He was shocked. They were very happy with him in the Optimizer role and he seemed to be happy in the Optimizer role, so why would they've changed things? It wasn't until he expressed his desire to do work that was in line with how he felt satisfaction that he was able to get results.

I see this every single day inside the Work It DAILY platform as we coach people on their careers, helping them better understand themselves, and this is just one of the ways that we do it.

The second way you need to leverage the results you get from the Career Decoder Quiz is to use them in all your career tools (resume, cover letter, LinkedIn profile, etc.).

As a business-of-one, you have to market yourself to employers, and the way you market yourself is with things like your resume, LinkedIn profile, cover letters, answers in your interview prep, and elevator pitch when networking. A lot of people tend to have the "everything and the kitchen sink" mentality where they put everything they've ever done in all of these career tools. They want to present themselves as a Jack or Jill of all trades. That is a fatal error. You need to brand yourself as a specialist, and, more importantly, as a specialist doing the kind of work you want to be doing. The Career Decoder results are what enable you to do that.

Now, a lot of people get their results and suddenly change their LinkedIn headline to "I'm a Builder, Mentor, Superconnector," or in their resume they write that they are an Educator or Warrior or Researcher. That's not what I want you to do. That's actually pretty hokey and that's not what this was intended for.

Instead, take a look at your top personas. You'll realize those personas are really verbs. So if you're a Builder, then you want to go through your tools and quantify your experience building things: "I've built X systems." Or if you're an Educator, "I've taught X number," or "I trained X number of people." Or if you're a Superconnector, "I've connected X number of customers/vendors."

You want to look at how you move the needle in your career. You want to quantify your accomplishments and work experience using the terms that align with your top workplace personas. Quantifying these things and branding yourself this way is how you're going to send the message that this is your specialty, this is how you like to create value, and you can prove it.

The third way you can leverage these results and improve your professional satisfaction is by understanding or getting familiar with your co-workers' personas.

It's important that you know how to leverage the strengths of other people. And let me explain why.

When you know what your strengths are, you're going to have more confidence, and when you know the strengths of others, you know how to tap into them and collaborate better. This is what companies are looking for—their top resources working well together and creating much better results.

By recognizing the talents of others and knowing to leverage them in concert with yours, you're going to gain a lot of trust, respect, and credibility within the organization.

I see a lot of people plateau in their careers because they get so focused on what they're good at and how they win that they lose sight of the fact that in order to get to the next level in their career, they need to partner with others. They need to be able to leverage the strengths of others. You can't be all eight personas. You're going to need all eight of those personas in the workplace. So if you want to get ahead in your career you need to put your ego aside. You need to leverage your own strengths, your own personas, and you need to leverage those of your teammates. Your credibility, the trust and the respect that you're going to get, is gonna skyrocket. And, of course, that's going to make you much happier on the job.

Those are the three ways you can leverage the Career Decoder results. Discovering your workplace personas is so empowering. And we don't just use the Career Decoder Quiz with job seekers and professionals. We also use it with employers. They use it with their staff to help them better understand their teammates. And if you're a leader, not only should you take this quiz, but you should also give it to all of your employees and learn their results so that you can tap into their strengths and make sure they're happy on the job.

I hope this free quiz helps you, your coworkers, and your leaders. If you want to work one-on-one with our coaches and learn more about your results, join us inside Work It DAILY today. Let us be your guide toward a happier, more satisfying career.

This article was originally published at an earlier date.

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3 Ways To Improve Your Professional Happiness …

3 Reasons To Quit Pursuing Career Happiness



This may be controversial, but as a 20-year career coaching veteran, I think one of the biggest mistakes people are making post-pandemic is they are overly focused on trying to pursue career happiness when in reality you should be focused on building career resilience.

Career Happiness Is Elusive. Building Career Resilience Will Give You Career Satisfaction.


There are three reasons why career happiness is very difficult to achieve. First, career happiness is a state of mind. So if you're sitting here and wondering, "How can I just be happier in my career today?" you can't. Instead, certain things need to happen that are going to make you stronger and more resilient, feel more in control, and give you more satisfaction.

Career satisfaction will make you feel happy.

The second reason you should quit trying to pursue career happiness is that it constantly evolves. It's like a moving target. The moment that you start to feel happy, the situation will change, or your circumstances will change. So it's not a one-and-done sort of thing. Many people struggle with the concept of "happiness," and say something like, "I was happy here and now I'm not. I'll never be able to achieve this." That's not true at all. Happiness is a constantly moving state.

The third reason you don't want to focus on career happiness is that it's different for every person. I coach people every day who tell me they tried something that worked for someone else, but they didn't get the same results, and now they feel bad about it—about themselves, their situation, etc. You can't compare someone else's success, someone else's perceived happiness, with your own ideas of success and happiness.

Career happiness just isn't the right thing to pursue for all three of these reasons.

So, what do you do instead? You focus on building up your career resilience. Why do you do that? Because the stronger you get, the more in control you will feel, and the more satisfied you will be with your career—and that will make you feel happy.

How To Build Career Resilience


Happy man at his dream job

There are three things you need to build career resilience. First is the environment. You need to surround yourself with a community of people who are all focusing on career resilience as well. What happens is you end up learning from these people. In fact, they show you things you didn't know you needed to know. But also, candidly, you look around the room and you go, "These people aren't any better than me. I can do this." And that's going to give you motivation, which many people lack.

The second thing you're going to need is coaching. You're going to need people who have done this, who have hacks, who have tips, who have tricks, who are keeping up with the latest techniques, who can understand your particular situation and get you the advice you need. Think about all the people in your life you use when you can't get results on your own. They're essentially coaches. That's what you need right now to get you to the next level. If you think about it, coaching isn't a sign of weakness. It's the path to greatness, especially in things like sports. And this is no different. You're playing a sport here in your career.

The third thing that you're going to need is knowledge. Knowledge is power. Knowledge is the one thing nobody can take away from you. Employers can never take away your knowledge. That's your power. That's your value. That's your worth when it comes to work.

When you gain new insights, when you learn new things, it is going to make you much smarter. You're going to make more informed decisions, and you're going to take yourself from being an employee who feels like they don't have any power to an employee who realizes they're a business-of-one, and you want to be a partner with that employer. They're not any better than you. You want to partner up, and you want the mutual trust and respect that you deserve. But that only comes when you build up that resiliency.

I like to call people who build career resiliency "Workplace Renegades" because they get off the hamster treadmill, think for themselves, and learn how to take ownership of their carer using the right environment, the right community, the right education, the right courses and knowledge, and then the right coaching, the right support.

If you would like some help building resiliency in your career, become a Work It DAILY member today. Sign up for our 7-day FREE trial and see how easy it is to get the results you want and deserve.

Good luck, and go get 'em!

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3 Reasons To Quit Pursuing Career Happiness

3 Reasons To Quit Pursuing Career Happiness



With increasing emphasis on productivity and performance in the workplace, it's easy for professionals to feel overwhelmed and stressed in their jobs. Happiness at work can be elusive, and we all know that the quality of our professional lives directly impacts our overall well-being. However, the good news is that there are practical and effective strategies that can significantly boost happiness at work.

We recently asked our leading executives for their best tips on how to boost happiness at work.

Here are their responses...

John Schembari, Senior Education Academic And Operations Executive


Boosting happiness at work depends on many factors, some of which will be in your control and some not. However, the following are some strategies I would use for boosting happiness at work.

Have regular sit-downs with your supervisor. Be clear on both success to date and clear next steps for your work. Base this on organizational strategic plans as well as on personal/professional development plans.

If your leadership has not provided this, consider how you and other team members might develop a professional learning community that studies and acts upon problems of practice. Grow both your own professional knowledge and the number of opportunities for collaboration with colleagues.

Also, join relevant outside networks related to your job/profession. How might you show leadership in your industry as well as in your office?

John Schembari is a current K-12 teacher/school leader academic improvement coach and former school building and district administrator. He loves to draw, travel, swing dance, and read nonfiction.

Ana Smith, Leadership Development & Learning Strategist


Happy employees huddle up and celebrate at work

The neuroscience of happiness offers valuable insights that can be applied to create happier work environments. Here's a summary of how to boost happiness at work considering the neurological foundations:

1. Neurochemicals of Happiness:

There are four primary neurochemicals associated with happiness and well-being: dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin, and endorphins. Understanding and harnessing these chemicals can foster happiness:

  • Dopamine: Often referred to as the "reward chemical." It's released when we achieve goals.
    • Tip: Break tasks into smaller milestones and celebrate small achievements. This constant release of dopamine from frequent achievements can foster more sustained happiness.
  • Oxytocin: Sometimes called the "love hormone" or "social bond hormone." It's associated with trust and bonding.
    • Tip: Encourage teamwork, appreciation, and constructive feedback. Building trust and connections between team members releases oxytocin.
  • Serotonin: This mood stabilizer is linked with well-being and feelings of significance.
    • Tip: Recognize and appreciate employees' contributions. Mentorship programs can also elevate serotonin levels, making individuals feel valued.
  • Endorphins: These act as natural painkillers and are released in response to stress or discomfort.
    • Tip: Promote physical activity. Things like group exercises, stretching sessions, or even short walks can trigger endorphin release.

2. Positive Reinforcement:

Using positive reinforcement can stimulate the release of dopamine. Regularly acknowledge and reward efforts, which in turn will encourage similar behavior in the future.

3. Social Connectivity:

The human brain is wired for social interaction. Encourage socializing, teamwork, and group activities. Spaces for casual interaction or team-building exercises can foster connections, contributing to happiness.

4. Learning and Growth:

Novel experiences and learning stimulate the brain and can result in the release of dopamine. Providing opportunities for personal development, training, or workshops can elevate mood and job satisfaction.

5. Mindfulness and Meditation:

Engaging in mindfulness activities strengthens the prefrontal cortex and reduces activity in the amygdala, the brain's stress center. Consider offering meditation or mindfulness sessions.

6. Autonomy and Mastery:

Allowing employees some level of autonomy can stimulate their intrinsic motivation, leading to greater job satisfaction. Let employees have a say in how they accomplish tasks.

7. Physical Environment:

Lighting, especially natural light, can affect mood and productivity. Serotonin production is influenced by the amount of sunlight you receive. Ensure workspaces are well-lit, preferably with natural light.

8. Work-Life Balance:

Constant stress or overworking can produce excessive cortisol, a stress hormone that hinders happiness. Encourage a balanced work-life dynamic, ensuring employees have time to recuperate.

9. Feedback Loops:

Regular constructive feedback can stimulate areas of the brain associated with learning and growth, fostering a sense of progression and development.

10. Purpose and Meaning:

The brain seeks meaning in activities. If employees understand the bigger picture and the impact of their work, it can boost their sense of purpose and happiness.

By understanding the neuroscience behind happiness, employers can create environments that not only enhance productivity but also cultivate a sense of well-being and satisfaction among employees.

Ana Smith helps people & organizations achieve their full talent potential by developing and co-creating people strategies and customized solutions, and turning them into impactful outcomes and collaborative relationships, using coaching as the "red thread."

Kirsten Yurich, Executive Coach & Vistage Chair


Happy business woman/employee/professional smiles while working on her laptop

The good news about happiness—let’s say the kind that comes from building strong relationships—is further correlated with 10 years of additional longevity, lower cortisol levels, and a stronger immune response.

Happiness at work is likely unattainable as a goal and, in my opinion, not the responsibility of the employer. It is better thought of as a result. Therefore, there are some very important things that ARE the responsibility of the employer. And when leaders focus on those influencers, it can result in happiness.

Steve Nobel authored a book called Joy at Work. It is a concept that focuses on finding happiness and fulfillment in your job. It involves having a positive mindset, a sense of purpose, and finding daily satisfaction in your work. The common elements to highlight here for joy stem from the employee, not the employer.

That said, what can the employer do to (what I call) “enable conditions” for the employee to find joy? I believe there are many things they can do, falling into only a few select categories.

The top three categories I like to focus on include: "providing expectations and feedback," "selection and assignment," and "motives and preferences."

1. Expectations and feedback – workplaces are more likely to produce workers who experience happiness if…

  • They can connect day-to-day behavior to organizational results and purpose.
  • Managers set clear expectations for success.
  • Managers provide feedback based on agreed-upon criteria accomplishments.
  • Overall there is an environment of 5:1 of positive to negative feedback.

2. Selection and assignment – happiness will correlate with employees who…

  • Are hired into the right roles using clear and tight job descriptions.
  • Promotions are carefully orchestrated so as to not undo careful selection procedures.
  • Assign employees within a department to projects and tasks that match unique skills and talents.

3. Motives and preferences – the matching values and what motivates us. When workplaces can…

  • Communicate their values clearly and use them in hiring practices. Happiness results when you have people on your team who are generally motivated by the same things that align with your company’s ethos.
  • Discover what gets your people up out of bed each day. What drives them about life and work? Use this information to build individual development plans; find ways to build in their uniqueness as contributions to your overall culture.

Happiness is often elusive, contextual, or temporal. Instead of focusing on happiness as a goal, arrange these influencers to improve the chances that your employees will experience happiness or joy at work more often!

Kirsten Yurich is a former CEO and current Vistage Chair. As a clinician, professor, author, and executive, she leverages this unique blend and creates learning environments for executives to become better leaders, spouses, and parents.

Michael Willis, Sports Business Operations Executive


Happy employees/professionals celebrate at work

As I reflect on my incredible journey of two decades with the NFL, I can't help but feel an overwhelming sense of joy and gratitude. My happiness draws from my experiences and the unique culture of the NFL.

1. Embrace the Passion for the Game

At the NFL, we understand that passion is the heartbeat of our organization. Encourage employees to find their passion within their roles, igniting a sense of purpose and happiness that fuels every task.

2. Cultivate a Winning Team Spirit

A jubilant workplace thrives on teamwork. At the NFL, we've seen that nothing can match the joy of celebrating victories together—fostering camaraderie, collaboration, and a shared sense of purpose among your team members. When you win together, happiness follows.

3. Celebrate Milestones and Achievements

The NFL celebrates touchdowns, and so should your organization celebrate achievements. Whether it's hitting sales targets, completing a project, or reaching a company milestone, revel in your victories. Recognizing success brings happiness and motivation.

4. Inspire Leadership with Enthusiasm

Leadership is more than just managing tasks; it's about inspiring with enthusiasm. At the NFL, our coaches and leaders lead with passion and drive. Infuse your leadership style with infectious enthusiasm, and you'll boost your team to be equally excited about their work.

5. Create a Fun Work Environment

In the NFL, we know that fun is a vital ingredient in our recipe for success. Organize team-building events, theme days, or friendly competitions. A fun work environment boosts morale, creativity, and happiness.

6. Acknowledge the Importance of Health and Wellness

The NFL strongly emphasizes the health and well-being of its players and employees. Encourage physical fitness, mental well-being, and work-life balance. A healthy workforce is a happy and productive one.

7. Promote Continuous Learning and Development

At the NFL, we never stop learning and improving. Invest in training and development programs to help your employees grow personally and professionally. A culture of learning and growth contributes significantly to happiness and job satisfaction.

8. Engage in Acts of Giving Back

One of the most triumphant experiences is giving back to the community. Encourage your team to participate in charitable activities or volunteer work. Kindness and philanthropy create a sense of fulfillment that extends to the workplace.

Conclusion

In my 20 years with the NFL, I've learned that happiness at work is not just an aspiration; it's a way of life. By embracing passion, fostering teamwork, celebrating achievements, inspiring with enthusiasm, empowering employees, creating a fun work environment, prioritizing well-being, promoting learning, giving back, and expressing gratitude, you can create a jubilant workplace where employees thrive and success becomes an everyday celebration.

Michael Willis has 18+ years of experience working with accounting & sports organizations and has managed P&Ls of $10M - $125M+ with budgets of $3M-$50M+. He worked for the NFL for 22 1/2 years, mainly with the game officials working on the financial/accounting side of the business.

Lisa Perry, Global Marketing Executive


Happy employees talk to each other at work

Research has shown the impact of employee happiness on the bottom line. Organizations with happy employees outperform the competition by 20%, show a 12% boost in productivity, and happy sales teams close 37% more sales.

Being happy at work correlates with developing emotional intelligence and heightened self-awareness.

Self-awareness is a transformative trait that holds immense power both personally and professionally. Research shows that 95% of us believe we are self-aware, yet the actual number is 10 or 15%. Most of us are oblivious to how others truly perceive us. As a result, we may unknowingly alienate our peers and inadvertently disengage those around us.

Consider this: What if your interpersonal weaknesses overshadowed your remarkable qualities and technical abilities, such as being a sales or coding dynamo? What if these weaknesses then caused others to lose motivation and become disengaged with you? Wouldn’t you want to know? Herein lies the power of self-awareness: it allows you to reshape how you present yourself to the world by aligning your self-perception with the perception of others.

The benefits of self-awareness can propel your career forward, foster success, nurture healthier relationships, contribute to better mental health, and ignite innate curiosity, leading you to ask more questions and seek continuous improvement.

To enhance your self-awareness, follow these practices:

  • Stay curious and ask questions. Embrace a curious mindset and actively seek knowledge.
  • Listen to opposing views and opinions. Be open to diverse perspectives, as they can broaden your understanding.
  • Don’t take things personally. Cultivate resilience and avoid letting criticism affect your self-worth.
  • Seek to understand and then be understood. Prioritize effective communication by truly comprehending others’ viewpoints.
  • Be a great listener. Practice active listening to hear what is said and discern what remains unsaid.

Focus on becoming the best version of yourself. Ask questions like, “Who is the person I aspire to be? What actions can I take right now to embody that ideal version of myself? How would the best ‘me’ handle this situation?”

Next, let’s explore emotional intelligence. Emotions are contagious, making it imperative for leaders to pay attention to their emotional intelligence. This awareness begins with you, whether you’re a manager or the CEO. Your emotional cues serve as guideposts for those around you, shaping how they should feel and picking up your feelings through subtle signals conveyed by your tone, body language, and demeanor.

Consider this scenario: You step into a meeting where everything appears harmonious, and there is a thick tension that hangs in the air, causing an unsettling discomfort. Your body registers something is amiss, even though there are no signs of conflict. This is a great example of the impact that emotional intelligence has on our workplace experiences.

Emotional intelligence ranks as one of the most vital leadership skills. It empowers individuals to comprehend and regulate their emotions at work. The workplace can be stressful and pressure-filled, with the occasional drama thrown in. It can also be exciting, joyful, and a source of contentment. How we navigate these emotions reflects our emotional intelligence.

Teams composed of emotionally intelligent individuals tend to outperform their peers, boost higher job satisfaction levels, and improve employee retention rates. This is because emotional intelligence helps you:

  • Interpret Nonverbal Cues: Discern subtle nonverbal signals that address potential issues before they escalate.
  • Be Self-Aware of Personal Emotions: Self-awareness of your emotions empowers you to control your behavior, preventing potential disruptions to relationships.
  • Improve Efficiencies: Emotional intelligence streamlines decision-making and task completion by fostering empathy and understanding of others’ emotions.
  • Advance Your Career: Emotional intelligence and leadership skills go hand in hand. Demonstrating qualities such as patience, active listening, positivity, and empathy can pave the way for career progression, promotions, and salary increases.
  • Inspire Strong Interpersonal Skills: By radiating motivation, empathy, responsibility, and teamwork, you set a contagious emotional tone that encourages your team to follow suit.

To enhance your emotional intelligence, consider these steps:

  • Prioritize Happiness: Reflect on what brings you joy and strive to incorporate it into your daily life.
  • Embrace the Present: Recognize that you are precisely where you need to be at this moment. Live in the present and savor the small, meaningful moments.
  • Adaptability: Cultivate adaptability in your approach to various emotional situations.
  • Cultivate Meaningful Relationships: Foster genuine connections with those around you, emphasizing empathy and understanding.
  • Acknowledge Your Feelings: Start by recognizing and acknowledging your own emotions.
  • Identify Weaknesses: Self-assessment is key to identifying areas for improvement.
  • Seek Feedback: Invite constructive feedback from colleagues and mentors to gain valuable insights.

You have the power to create and boost your own happiness at work by making intentional choices and having a positive mindset. If you’re eager to delve deeper into effective strategies, I invite you to explore my book "How to Develop a Brand Strategy" and brand marketing articles.

Lisa Perry helps companies drive revenue by using consumer trends, insights, and data analytics to innovate their approach to marketing.

How do you boost happiness at work? Join the conversation inside Work It Daily's Executive Program.

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Executive Spotlight: How To Boost Happiness At …



Nowadays, we hear a lot about work-life balance and why it's important to have, whether for mental health or simply for quality of life. But what exactly is work-life balance? How do we know when we've learned the balancing act?

Sometimes it can feel like we throw "work-life balance" around so much that the phrase loses its meaning, its importance. Everyone seems to be focused on achieving that delicate balance, where we can thrive both in our personal lives and in our careers. We like to think that we're living a balanced life, but are we?

If one of these three statements doesn't ring true for you, you probably need to focus on improving your work-life balance, and maybe rethink your priorities too.

I Have Time To Pursue Hobbies


Happy, thinking professional woman has time to pursue hobbies after achieving work-life balance

For most of us, our passions aren't something we can monetize. In fact, the vast majority of working professionals will not have a career that they are passionate about. They may be excited about the problem they're trying to solve at their company. But is it their passion? Probably not.

This is why hobbies are so important. Hobbies give us that much-needed outlet for our passions. They add meaning and value to our lives. They let us channel our creativity and help us pass the time in a relaxing way that also feels productive. Most importantly, hobbies give us something to look forward to when we're done work, and can even help us cope with stress.

When we don't have time to pursue hobbies, we're at risk of becoming burnt out and demoralized employees. So, try kickboxing or painting or knitting. Make it a priority. Write it down on your calendar. We're sure you can think of at least one thing you wish you had more time to devote to. Why aren't you devoting more time to it? This is one of the surest signs your work-life balance is out of whack. And no, you're probably not just "too busy."

The bottom line: If you have gifts you can't use or interests you can't pursue at work, you need a hobby.

I Am Present For All Important Life Events


Happy group of friends hang out after prioritizing work-life balance in their lives

Everyone's idea of "important life events" is different. You should always be present for the moments that hold significance for you, without feeling guilty for doing so.

By this, we mean physically and mentally present. What good is it if you're physically present for an occasion but mentally concerned about project deadlines? No hurrying up to reply to an "important" work email. No thinking about work at all. If work follows you wherever you go and prevents you from living in the moment, you're not living a well-balanced life.

When you understand that every job is temporary, you begin to realize just how valuable the present moment is, no matter if you're at work, out with your friends, or on vacation with your family.

I Am Not Afraid To Say "No."


Happy professional woman improves her work-life balance by learning to say "no"

It's easy to become hyper-focused on our careers to the point that we sacrifice certain things in order to achieve career success. We don't want to disappoint anyone. We want to be the go-to person. We want to work on this and that and on anything else that could possibly help us land that raise or promotion. Consequently, every time somebody asks us to do something at work, our default answer is always "yes."

This kind of habit and mentality is not healthy. Your time is just as valuable as everyone else's. You only have so much energy to devote to certain tasks during the day, and if you keep saying "yes" to things for other people, how much of your life is left for you?

The secret to achieving work-life balance is setting personal boundaries. Lots of people in your life will pull you in different directions, but if you set boundaries, you can ask yourself if something fits into those boundaries—and if it doesn't, you're then empowered to say "no."

Everyone should learn to set personal boundaries. It gets you into the habit of asking yourself, "Is this really important?" It's a question that helps you get real clear on what your goals are, and what's a priority for you.

Work-life balance today means you can say "yes" to all three of these statements. If you can't answer confidently, it may be time to take a closer look at your career and figure out where things are unbalanced.

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What “Work-Life Balance” Really Means Today



While making the most money we can (or at least enough to be comfortable) is the goal, sometimes a high-paying job costs you more in the end. You might have to give up things that are important to you like job security, stress-free work, and work-life balance. So, when should you leave a high-paying job for a lower-paying job? How do you know it's time to find a new job?

Leave Your High-Paying Job For A Lower-Paying Job If THIS Is Happening...


@j.t.odonnell Replying to @_.michele4._ When to leave a high paying job for a lower paying #job. #jobtok #edutok #careertok #learntok ♬ original sound - J.T. O'Donnell

If you're getting thrown around in a job and it's really draining you, but they pay you a lot of money, you have what we call "golden handcuffs." You're trapped. And the reality is if you can't find a way to make peace with that, if you can't find a way to not let the way they throw you around and raise your blood pressure bother you, then it is time to move on.

Now, oftentimes when you decide to leave a high-paying job, you get offered a job that would require you to take a huge pay cut. If that happens to you, don't assume that's your next long-term career move. Look at this lower-paying job as an opportunity for you to get yourself back to a happy place and figure out how much more money you need. You might be perfectly happy with the lower salary, or you might decide you want to start a side hustle, or you might decide that you want to take this time to do the homework and figure out your next career move so that you can make more money and be happier no matter what.

It comes back to working on yourself. And if this lower-paying job will allow you to do that for, say, six months to a year, then I would say go for it. Leave that high-paying job for a lower-paying one. Your career and mental health will thank you.

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3 Tips For Staying Positive During A Holiday Job Search



Don't let your employment status dictate how much you enjoy the holidays. This is a time for happiness, family and friends, and delicious food!

I mean, c'mon. There's no reason why your job search should interfere with Grandma's famous pumpkin pie. But it can be hard to stay positive during the holidays when those aunts and uncles are nagging you about your job search and old friends are asking what you're doing for work these days.

It can be so tempting to completely remove yourself from holiday festivities so you don't have to experience that agonizing awkwardness of answering the same dreaded questions over and over again. Don't let your insecurities ruin the most wonderful time of the year. Here are our three tips for staying positive during your holiday job search:

1. Don't Allow Yourself To Feel Sorry For Yourself


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You don't have time for that pity party nonsense! You've got to bake cookies, play with your dog, and sip hot cocoa with your family.

Whenever you start feeling worn down from the stress or start feeling bad for yourself, do something productive. You could make yourself a structured job search plan that incorporates, or research companies you're interested in. Or you could do something that's not related to your job search at all.

You can hit the gym, take a walk outside to get some fresh air and sunshine, or you can indulge in a good book for 30 minutes. Don't feel guilty about doing these things—they're necessary for your mental and physical health, which are two things you can't neglect, especially during a job search.

2. Focus On What You're Excited About


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When someone asks you, "How's the job search going?" don't focus on the negative. Remember: you have the power to control the tone of this conversation. If you focus on your lack of success—how many interviews you haven't gotten or how many companies didn't call you back—you're not only going to make the conversation awkward for both of you, but you're going to feel awful about yourself.

Instead, tell them about a few companies and opportunities you're excited about. Focus on your little wins like having a great informational interview with someone from one of your target companies. Convey your enthusiasm for finding a new job opportunity. It'll make you feel uplifted, and it gives you the opportunity to talk about your job search in a positive way.

3. Laugh, Dance, And Be Merry


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What makes you laugh out loud, even when no one is in the room? What songs make you want to get up and dance, even when people are looking? Find those little things that make you happy and pepper them in throughout your day. There's honestly nothing better than a good laugh.

Distract yourself with positivity—and don't feel bad about taking a "Happy Break" every once in a while. It will help keep you in balance during your holiday job search.

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5 Tips For Reclaiming Your Career & Finding Happiness



Which one describes your morning more accurately? a) Waking up excited to head into work and do what you love. b) Waking up dreading work and seriously considering calling in sick.

If the second scenario sounds more like you, it's time for a change, don't you think? Here are five tips for reclaiming your career and finally finding career happiness:

1. Figure Out What's Causing The Problem


Professional man smiles while talking to a coworker

What is it that you hate about your job? Why do you dread going to work? Is it the work itself or the people you work with? Is it a specific task or a specific individual that is making your life miserable?

Once you determine the cause of the stress/misery, you can take steps to fix or eliminate the problem. Maybe there's more than one problem. That's okay. The key is to identify where the real pain points are in your career. Only then can you make the changes you need to make to ultimately find career success.

2. Manage Up


Man manages up at work during a meeting

I'm sure you've heard this term before, but what does it really mean to "manage up" anyway? Well, it means that you need to step it up a little bit with your work and go above and beyond what you're being asked to do.

Managing up will help others recognize your value within the organization, making you an asset. By going the extra mile with your work, you take stress off your manager or boss, which can help you build a better working relationship with him/her.

Remember: your job is to make your boss's job easier. If you're not doing that, you're not doing your job—and you're not showing your value as an employee.

Your career is yours and yours only. Reclaim it by giving 110% in all aspects of your professional life. When you start making progress, you'll realize the secret to career growth and happiness starts with intrinsic motivation.

3. Attend Workshops & Seminars


Group of happy professionals attend a workshop

Find some local workshops and seminars that will help you enhance and develop your skills. By attending these events, you'll not only learn new, valuable skills, but you will prove that you are willing to take that extra step in order to get ahead.

Figure out what areas you think you should improve in. Do you need better time management skills? Would it help you to learn the HTML basics? Maybe you just want to brush up on your business writing or public speaking skills.

Whatever your interest, there are workshops and seminars for everything! Attend one and see how much it impacts your confidence and happiness as a professional.

4. Find A Mentor


Man mentors a colleague at work

It's always nice to have a little extra guidance and support. Find someone who has extensive experience in your field and ask them if they would mind being your mentor. They can provide valuable insight and contacts that will help you get ahead.

Never underestimate the power of a mentor. Building a close, professional relationship with someone you admire can do wonders for your career. If you already have a colleague in mind, what are you waiting for? Reach out today!

5. Get Out There & Meet The Right People


Group of happy professionals networking

If you really want to take control of your career, you need the right people in your corner. Are you going out there and meeting the right people? Like it or not, your network is your net worth. Although networking with people outside of your industry has its benefits, it's important to have a focused networking strategy that builds a solid network of contacts.

There are several ways to connect with the right contacts. Here are a few:

  • Attend industry-specific events (They don't have to be networking events!)
  • Join industry-specific organizations and clubs
  • Use keywords and hashtags to find potential contacts on Twitter and LinkedIn

We all have highs and lows in life. The same is true for our careers. If you're feeling unhappy in your career, you have the power to change that. Every hurdle you face, you can overcome.

Follow the tips above and you'll not only reclaim your career but find career happiness as well. We believe in you!

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5 Ways To Be A Happier, More Confident YOU



Have you noticed that when you're happy, you tend to be more productive, confident, and successful? Heck yeah! That said, we're all guilty of feeling negative sometimes, which can significantly damage those things.

Here are some things you can do to be a happier, more confident you:

Vow To Stop Negative Self-Talk


Happy man works from home

When you're feeling discouraged about something, it can be easy for the evil negative self-talk (a.k.a. NST) to take over. Don't allow yourself to say (or THINK) things like, "I'll never get a job" or "I'm never going to be good enough." When you focus on this negative mindset, those thoughts turn into motivation-suckers.

In addition, NST can be a big, fat barrier between you and strong relationships with others. According to WebMD, people who think negatively tend to be less outgoing and have weaker social networks than positive thinkers. Studies link positive emotions with more satisfying relationships. So, if you want to build a strong network, your first step is to have a more positive outlook on life!

Find A Reason To Smile Every Day


Happy employees work together

Whenever you feel down, try to find something to smile about (ex: take a fun online quiz, look at cute puppy videos, or check out funny listicles). If you find yourself giving into negative emotions, allow yourself five minutes to find something to smile about. Honestly, it works!

Embrace Your Quirks


Happy woman thinks about something during a meeting

Think about this quote from Dr. Seuss: "You have to be odd to be number one."

Your little quirks make you who you are. They make you stand out from everyone else. In a world where everyone is fighting to stand out from the crowd, there's never been a better time to embrace what makes you different. Quirks are what give you flavor. Stop wasting time and energy on trying to be someone you're not. Accept yourself and embrace those little things that make you... you.

Learn How To Take A Compliment


Happy man gets a high five from a coworker

You may compliment others all the time, but what happens when someone compliments YOU? Do you smile and say, "thanks!" or do you instantly try to undermine yourself? There are many of us out there who are guilty of this. According to this article in LifeHack, many people feel they don't deserve positive feedback, and anyone who pays them a compliment must be either lying, misguided, or feeling sorry for them.

Here are some tips for how to take a compliment:

  • Own your accomplishments
  • Be appreciative
  • Be honest and optimistic about the future
  • Recognize your contribution
  • Follow up
  • Be gracious

Be Thankful


Happy coworkers thank each other and shake hands

Say thank you. Whether a stranger opens a door for you or your boss gives you a raise, always say thank you. Studies show that showing gratitude makes us happier. Make an effort to give thanks to those who deserve it.

By doing these five things daily, you'll be one step closer to being a happier, more confident you.

Need more help gaining confidence, especially when it comes to your career?

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4 Things You Can Do To Be Happier At Work Today



No matter what you do, making sure your happiness and well-being are intact are major priorities. If you're stuck in a position, work long hours, or hate your job, this can be a difficult thing to maintain.

There are things you can do to make your situation better, though.

Here are four ways you can be happier at work today:

Eat Your Veggies At Work


Woman eats lunch while working from home

Constantly feeling down in the dumps? Maybe you need to eat more colorful foods! Researchers found that eating fruits and vegetables every day can actually increase happiness and overall well-being. For optimal results, eat seven servings of fruits and veggies each day.

Set Specific Work Goals


Man thinks about his work goals

How ambitious are you? Turns out people who set high goals for themselves are happier than those with lower expectations. Make a list of things you want to accomplish—both short-term and long-term goals. It's always good to have something to work toward!

Don't Make Money Your First Priority


Happy young woman works from home

You know that saying "money can't buy happiness"? Well, it's true. According to U.S. News and World Report, seeking more money can actually make you less happy. Instead of focusing completely on finances, make sure you take the time to celebrate your own personal growth, like what you've learned, who you've connected with, and how you've improved yourself.

Smile More In The Office


Happy man smiles at work

You were late to work, got chewed out by the boss, and spilled coffee on your favorite white blouse. The last thing you want to do today is smile. However, studies show forcing a smile can actually make you genuinely happy. Not only that but putting on a fake smile can help decrease stress.

So, what's not to smile about? These are just a couple of small steps you can take to feel happier at work, starting today.

If you're feeling lost, trapped, or burned out in your career, these tips might not help you feel happier at work. That's a much bigger problem. You're not out of luck, though. We can help!

We'd love it if you joined our FREE community. It’s a private, online platform where workers, just like you, are coming together to learn and grow into powerful Workplace Renegades.

It's time to find work that makes you feel happy, satisfied, and fulfilled. Join our FREE community today to finally become an empowered business-of-one!

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5 Ways To Have A Great Day At Work



Who doesn’t want to have a great day at work? I suppose everyone wants to have a great day except for a grouch—those who feel happiest when they are grouchy. So, what are some of the things I have done to have a great day at work?

Before I start, perhaps it's best to explain that you need to have a long-term view. That view is: achieving more great days at work is possible if we learn some key habits.

1. Finish Today's Work Today


Employees have a great day at work

A great day at work today, started yesterday. And a great day at work tomorrow, started today. So, regardless of what you do, finish today’s work today. And if your work is like mine, always unending, start by having timelines and daily goals you want to achieve every day. These become your productivity benchmarks.

2. Be Mindful


Happy employees have a great day at work

Learn to be conscious of your own feelings. Be aware of why you feel a certain way about certain work issues and colleagues. When you feel certain feelings, tell yourself why you feel that way. For example, “I feel jealous because John received compliments.” Then, ask yourself: "What is a better way to feel?" For example, “I should be happy for John. He worked really hard for it. I should congratulate him.”

Of course, it's not easy. But if you do it constantly, soon you will catch yourself with negative thoughts. You will arrest these negative thoughts before they become words out of your mouth and actions. You will be more self-aware. A more self-aware person can instantly change the way they think, speak, and act. A mindful person will slowly begin to have a great day at work.

3. Appreciate Challenges


Coworkers have a great day at work

Challenges are all around us. Even the moment you get into your car and onto the roads, the challenge begins. Why is the car in front moving so slowly? Why is that red light so slow in changing? Challenges surround you daily. If you continue fighting them, there is no way you can have a great day at work.

The trick is to appreciate these challenges as a way to train yourself. Train yourself to accept challenges—that there is no way you can change this and it’s a matter of how you respond that will determine how you feel towards your day. When you start to appreciate challenges at work, you will start to have more great days at work.

4. Embrace Change


Coworkers smile at each other while working

Just like challenges, change is all around you. Life is about change. Every second, your thoughts and feelings flicker. You change from feeling good to feeling bad, to feeling angry, and a gamut of other thoughts and feelings. Change produces uncertainties and because we like constants and routines, uncertainties bring dissatisfaction.

One way to overcome this is to embrace change. Accept that change is a natural phenomenon and whether it's a good change or a bad change, these are merely labels we give to a situation. Because things change constantly: something good may change into something bad very quickly and vice versa. A great day at work starts when you can better embrace change.

5. Reflect, Don't Regret


Man smiles at work

Reflect constantly on your actions. Some people like to reflect at the end of a day, some like to reflect at the end of the week. Whatever suits you best, do it. But reflect. It allows you to be more self-aware and mindful of your actions. Reflect so you are able to make adjustments and be better the next time.

You need not do all of these tips concurrently. Start with one or two, but be consistent with them. Then, see how your great days at work start to increase.

If you've tried the tips above and still find it difficult to have a good day at work, it may be time for a change. Join our FREE community today and learn how to become empowered in your career so you can finally find work that makes you happy, satisfied, and fulfilled!

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