Are You Happy at Work?

After 30 years, I left the businesses that I started and worked at with both great success and some failure along the way.

My bath manufacturing business Palazzo Baths had enjoyed huge success by –

• Being pride of place in the best bathroom in the world in 2003
• Being in the hotel that won Latin – American Hotel of the year in 2005
• Being in the best Hotel in the world 2006
• Being in the best luxury Lodge in Africa 2007
• Oprah Winfrey bathing in a Palazzo Bath
• Richard Branson owning 2 in his ski lodge in Verbier in Switzerland.

So why did I sell the business for a song in 2011?

The reason – Workplace Unhappiness.

This led me to asking: If that type of success does not lead to Workplace Happiness – what does??

The answer I found is very simple.
According to Alexander Kjerulff in his book Happy Hour is 9 to 5 –

We derive happiness from the very work that we do – the work itself.

..or to put it another way –

A feeling of happiness derived from work.

Happiness at work is that feeling you get when you:

• Really enjoy what you do.
• Do great work that you can be proud of.
• Work with amazing people.
• Know that what you do is important.
• Are appreciated for your work.
• Get to take responsibility.
• Get to take responsibility.
• Have fun at work.
• Learn and grow.
• Make a difference. Are motivated and energized.
• Know that you kick butt.

Is it possible to be that happy at work?

The answer is Yes.

You may ask: How is this possible?
or
What do you do when you do not get the happiness you wanted from your job?

According to Dan Gilbert, Professor of Psychology at Harvard,

You make it yourself!!

Are you happy at work?

If not, read the next article of a series which will show you the How of Happiness at Work.