Happiness at work is no longer a luxury, it is essential for life’s fulfillment. People are discovering that when they love their jobs, they are more productive, creative, motivated at work and happier in life. Alexander Kjerulf, an author, founder and the Chief Happiness Officer of Woohoo Inc, an organisation that provides training and workshop about Happiness at Work, has presented to hundreds of clients over 30 countries since 2003 about finding happiness at work.

In one of his best-selling book, ‘Happy Hour is 9 to 5’, he talks about loving your job or finding one you can love and provides simple and effective ways an individual can use to create a better work life and a happier workplace, such as:

Be positive
There are many ways to be more positive in work life, even when one experience challenges at work. Research suggests that people have powerful capabilities to choose positive emotions and ways of thinking. Most of the experience in life is a result of how an individual interpret and respond to his/her surroundings, rather than repressing or trying to “get rid” of negative feelings, they can choose to interpret and respond to them differently.

Keep Learning
Never stop learning, there are always new skills to learn and techniques for an individual to adopt at work. The most successful people in the world do not act like they know everything, they all understand the fact that they have to continuously learn to be successful.

Be open
Sharing important information with people makes them feel trusted and valued. If they understand the actual situation, it makes them more efficient and able to take the right decisions.

Participate
Psychological studies show a fundamental basis of happiness is the ability to control the environment. When they are involved in decisions making and active participation, they are much happier.

Find meaning
It is much easier to be happy if the job has meaning to an individual. Knowing how their works contribute to the Company’s success or to the local community make them proud of what they do.

Love
Act of kindness at workplace such as Gratitude; it is nice to let an individual know that other peers recognise his /her effort. Support is also important in finding ways at work to help others, it is the simplest things to do to create an environment of kindness, most of the time the offers were appreciated more than the act itself, it creates a great workplace culture.

So, if you’re not happy at work, it’s time to take action!