Unlocking the Power of Joy: How Finding Happiness at Work Can Transform Your Career and Life

In the past few weeks I’ve had the opportunity to attend local concerts performed by award-winning musicians – Alex Cuba and the Jeremy Ledbetter Trio.

What has been remarkable about these concerts, aside from the sheer talent of these musicians, is the joy they express while playing their music. It radiates from them.

They incorporate a sense of play. These musicians are lighthearted, creative, and funny, which wildly engages the audience. It’s infectious.

As I watched these performances, I couldn’t help but wonder why we don’t see more joy in the workplace? Why aren’t more people radiating happiness at work?

We’ve all been around people who do exude joy at work. They display energy and enthusiasm for their job. They aren’t just putting in time, they put in passion. They approach challenges with creativity and innovation, not just going through the motions. They support others, collaborate, and contribute.

However, these people are the exception, not the norm.

A Gallup poll conducted in 2020 found that only 35% of US employees reported feeling engaged with their work. Another study by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) found that 38% of their employees in the US reported feeling very satisfied with their job. While these numbers seem low in terms of engagement at work, they’re at an all time high.

More people are currently engaged in their work than in the past 20 years. And yet, so many people are still dissatisfied.

Although there is no rule that dictates which jobs are harder or easier to find joy, some jobs may present more challenges than others. Jobs with repetitive tasks, high stress, little work-life balance, and little autonomy are examples of jobs that may be more difficult to find joy. Yet, despite these challenges, we can focus on what we can control and find ways to incorporate personal values and interests into the job.

Of course, it may be difficult to replicate the same joy that musicians experience while performing, but there are several ways people can find joy and satisfaction in their work.

Here are a few suggestions:

1. Pursue passion: Find ways to incorporate personal passions and interests in your work. For example, if you love writing, look for opportunities to write articles, reports or presentations related to your job.

2. Set goals: Setting and achieving goals can be a source of satisfaction and joy. Set achievable goals that align with your personal values and interests and celebrate when those goals are reached.

3. Build relationships: Building positive relationships with colleagues can make work more engagement. Taking time to chat, collaborate and support colleagues can lead to a more positive work environment and a sense of fulfillment.

4. Take breaks: Taking regular breaks throughout the workday can help prevent burnout and increase productivity. Take a short walk, meditate, or do something enjoyable to recharge and boost your mood.

5. Celebrate success: Celebrating successes, big or small, can increase joy and satisfaction in work. Take time to recognize the efforts that went into reaching those goals.

Incorporating these small, doable strategies into your daily work routines can lead to a greater sense of joy, fulfillment, and satisfaction.

As a challenge this week, I encourage you to find a little more joy. Pick one or more of these strategies – pursue a passion, set goals, build relationships, take breaks, and celebrate successes – and incorporate it into your work day. And if you’re a manager, encourage your employees to do the same.

Change may not occur over night, but by continuously building these positive habits within yourself and those you work with, you will likely begin to notice more joy in your workplace.

Best wishes, Lauren