Happiness Series #4 Work

Happiness Series #4

Work can make you happy

Source: By mrsiraphol, published on 07 August 2013

Work

Not only can work give you money it can also lend meaning to your live and a sense of identity. Even if you have no need for money there are plenty of good reasons to work. It’s just finding the right work that’s terribly hard. You want a job that uses at least some of your talents and abilities. Work should matter to you for you to get the most out of it.

If you want to be a waitress, you enjoy being a waitress, you like serving people and making them smile and you make adequate money It’s all good in the hood. If your middle management and you’d rather be a waitress be a waitress. Likewise if you’re a waitress and want to be middle management find a way to make it happen.

Some people want a job for prestige and money, others want to help animals, some like math and order, and others are more creative. There are many books out there on doing what you love. Doing what your passionate about will help give your life meaning. My mother who is ‘retired’ is far busier then I and volunteers, and is part of a community, and cleans (also far more then I do) She is happy that way.

When you work on something your good at that you enjoy you can reach ‘flow’. That is being in the moment. That is where time seems to fly by. Far too many of us rarely ever feel ‘flow’. Flow is defined as the mental state of operation in which a person performing an activity is fully immersed in a feeling of energized focus, full involvement, and enjoyment in the process of the activity

Most people work 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, 40 hours a week. You need to be doing rewarding work during that time. Your work environment is also very important. Not just in or out of an office but who are you surrounded by? Do you work alone (good for an introvert) or surrounded by people (might not be good for an introvert) What is your boss like? What about co-workers?

The first thing people often ask is “so what do you do?” They’re usually talking about your work, it will give them a starting point on getting to know you, and to start a conversation. People also often define themselves by the work that they do. This is what I do accounting, therefore this is who I am an accountant.

Working hard can be its own reward. It helps you focus on something/someone else. We are meant to put effort into things. It can increase your self esteem. Work can leave you feeling that you have accomplished something that’s where the term job satisfaction comes in to play. Work can help you find your place even if it’s volunteer work or house work.

Some people can have horrible jobs and still be happy. They can compartmentalize and are fine. Most of us will carry the highs and lows of our jobs over to other parts of our lives. Even if it’s just because of work you’re stressed, you’re still stressed.

Work Recap

1. Work can give you money, meaning, and a sense of identity.

2. Whatever you enjoy and feel fulfilled by is a good job.

3. What works for one person will not necessarily work for another.

4. Flow can be a great source of happiness and meaning.

5. Is your work a good environment for you?

6. You job is not who you are but it is often used to identify you.

7. Job satisfaction or stress will often carry over to the rest of your life.

What does your work say about you? Do you feel fulfilled? Is it fun (most of the time)? Do you think it effects your overall well being? Even doing a job you don’t want to do at home (ie. Cleaning) done can leave you feeling satisfied and happy with the results in spite of not really enjoying doing it. What do you think?