10 Things You Can Do to Be Happy at Work

Do you feel drained and worn out when you go to work? Most office workers spend more time at work than at home.

According to the September 2023 Transport Opinion Survey from the University of Sydney’s Institute of Transport and Logistics Studies, Australian staff spent 21% of the working week at home. This means they spent less than two days at home weekly.

Source: University of Sydney’s Institute of Transport and Logistics Studies

Therefore, you must make the best of your work and improve your happiness. Our guide will detail ten things that can improve your happiness at work.

1. Pursue your Passion at Work

Some of us are lucky enough to work in an area we are passionate about, but not all of us.

If this is not you, you must find a way to do something you enjoy. Even if small, it can make a massive difference to make a happier workforce.

You can take on extra responsibilities or volunteer for a project outside your usual role.

Another option is to research and pursue a new career. If this is the road you want to go down, do plenty of research until you are confident that the new job excites you.

2. Prioritize Work-life Balance to Avoid Overworking and Stress ⚖️

Finding time for relaxation is essential for a happy workforce, even if you love your job.

Taking time for family, friends, hobbies, and your mental health links with better well-being and less overworking or illness.

Many employees in Australia already recognize this. According to a study by the OECD Better Life Index, full-time Australian worker set aside 60% of their total day for leisure and personal care.

Flexible working can also give you more time at home if that’s what you need.

3. Have a Positive Mindset at Work

Start your day positively by writing what you are grateful for, enjoying a warm drink, exercising, or meditating. By starting the day with the right mindset, you set yourself up for the day ahead.

When you have a calm mindset, it is easier to deal with stress and problems at work. Also, you can spread this type of positivity to your colleagues, making your workplace happier.

4. Ensure That You Maintain Focus

Many studies show that multi-tasking decreases productivity and quality of work.

For example, a study by Forbes shows that multitasking can decrease employee productivity by up to a significant 40%.

Source: Forbes

Our brains can only focus on one thing at a time. Focus helps reduce stress and your well-being.

5. Help Others Who Are Struggling at Work

If employees feel they are struggling at work, helping them will improve their mood.

Perhaps a colleague has too many projects to manage or is having personal difficulties. Reach out and offer them a hand. You can do this by taking some of their workload or offering them personal advice.

6. Grow Your Skillset and Try New Tasks

Learning new skills, trying new tasks, and extending yourself are critical drivers of a growth mindset.

Perhaps you feel unhappy after missing out on a promotion. However, there are always opportunities to learn new things, even in your personal time.

Look for opportunities for personal development at work and outside of it. Here are some ways you can put a growth mindset into practice.

7. Protect Your Personal Life and Avoid Too Many Hours in the Office

Overloading your schedule with too many projects, commitments, and meetings can lead to burnout.

Be protective of your job description, and when you are busy, don’t take on additional tasks or projects. Ask for help from your manager and colleagues if you fear burnout, and discuss ways to reduce the pressure.

8. Prioritize Social Connections at Work ☕

Making time to share a coffee and a laugh at work makes long days and busy hours less stressful.

While we are at work to be productive, it is also a social space in which connection is essential.

For example, in a study by the American Psychological Association, 89% of workers are happy with their work relationships. Additionally, 82% of people in the survey said that their healthy work environment actively encourages friendships between workers.

Being in a social space at work helps reduce stress. Also, connections also aid in building positive relationships and improving performance and output.

9. Be Strong in Your Beliefs

Stand up for your beliefs, whether having the courage to express opinions or call out bad behavior. If you stay true to yourself, your well-being at work will improve.

10. Finish Your Day on the Right Note

How we start the day is just as important as how we finish it. Note your achievements and write a to-do list for the next day. Here is what you should include on a to-do list for the following day.

You should also prioritize rest and sleep as they contribute to happiness and well-being.

Final Thoughts on 10 Ways to Achieve Workplace Happiness

Work-life can be draining, but our happiness is within our control.

If you are lucky enough to pursue your passion, you are more likely to be happy. But if not, you can improve your well-being by having a positive mindset, helping others, learning, and being social.

Check out our blog on Tommy for more tips on how to improve your happiness and job satisfaction.