Not thinking about company obligations at night, cultivating friendships at work and planning quiet moments outside of professional life are some of the tips
In cases of burnout and mental exhaustion, the idea that work is the main source of happiness seems contradictory. However, it is undeniable that people spend the majority of their lives at work: according to the UK Accounting Technicians Association, they spend a total of 3,500 days at work. Even if you’re in a role you don’t love, it’s possible to increase your level of joy.
OR Estadao I listened to five experts to outline simple tips that can significantly change the way you approach work. There is no magic formula. The problems won’t go away, emails and meetings will continue to arrive in your notification box too.
But recognizing when professional life is boring is a first step, especially for leaders who are faced with bureaucratic tasks, pressure from all sides and decision-making, which is not always easy.
Here are the suggestions:
1. Prioritize hobbies outside of work
If you are one of those who can’t take your mind off work, even outside of working hours, it’s time to recalculate your path. A study by the American Psychological Association concluded that not thinking about work at night, especially managers, reduces the risk of burnout during the day.
According to the survey, bosses interviewed who had thought more about their work the night before were less likely to possess certain leadership qualities, such as enthusiasm.
Therefore, planning opportunities to disconnect from business obligations is essential for spending quality time, emphasizes Luís Gonzáles, CEO of Vidalink, a wellness plan company.
“For me, cooking, going to a show, diving are moments that completely disconnect me. It is also important to repeat activities and habits that are good for you, such as exercising regularly, sleeping and eating well,” he explains.
For the CEO, hobbies don’t have to be time-consuming or endless activities.
The key is to have space for joy outside of work, which greatly increases the person’s chances of being more sociable in professional life.
“[Os líderes] they must share what they experience and their feelings. Some leaders look for therapists and others look for friends who are also in the corporate world and share similar challenges,” says Gonzáles.
2. No one is happy alone: Find your community at work
It is essential to understand happiness as a feeling of well-being, taking into account that perfection does not exist in everyday life and that setbacks are part of any environment, regardless of profession, underlines Simone Nascimento, specialist in mental health in organisations.
In this context, in addition to being crucial for strengthening networking and guiding people efficiently, the development of friendships at work becomes a catalyst for dealing with daily ups and downs more lightly.
“Cultivating social skills prevents leaders from isolating themselves and opens the door to meaningful interpersonal relationships and positive connections, which are key to well-being, determining whether or not a person likes the company,” suggests the expert.
Nascimento reiterates that, in the case of leaders, an effort is needed to get to know the team better. The strategy involves gaining trust and building bonds.
The approach does not need to be forced or with excessive pressure. Start with collective dialogues, common topics, for example a football team or something specific to the neighborhood where you live.
Another important detail is breaking the paradigm of only talking to colleagues in similar roles. “There are interesting people at all hierarchical levels and it is possible to find affinities that maintain relationships beyond the positions held”, underlines Nascimento.
Also a person who agrees with the effect of real friendships at work is the psychiatrist Camila Magalhães. “Sometimes, the people we like at work may not look like us, or have the education and taste that we do. But they are different people who are brought together who will bring meaning.”
3. Self-knowledge is not blah blah blah
To find happiness during the day and in the work environment, the leader needs to know himself. How to do this?
Let’s imagine a hypothetical situation: leadership lives with people who have fluctuating moods and usually do not react calmly when something goes wrong.
According to Alessandra Becker, Chief Happiness Officer and Positive Leadership teacher, a professional who invests in self-knowledge does not allow herself to be infected by these unstable emotions. This is because you would be ready to face challenges assertively.
“For leaders it means recognizing their strengths and areas for improvement, understanding how their actions impact the team and learning to manage their emotions in stressful situations,” adds Daniela Bertoldo, leadership specialist.
During the journey of self-knowledge, Bertoldo suggests that it is worth setting aside time for personal reflection. The range of provocation may include the following questions:
- What are your values?
- What motivates you?
- How do you react under pressure?
Reaching this level doesn’t happen overnight: in addition to dedicating time, improvement also requires financial investments.
The recommendation, according to Becker, is to map the characteristics that distinguish you as a professional and the points to work on and develop, for example, in mentoring, coaching or psychotherapy processes.
4. Find your purpose and show that people are doing something that matters
“Leaders who want to be and build happier teams must remember two basic human needs: a sense of usefulness and connection,” says Paula Roosch, a specialist in emotional intelligence and empathy.
For the expert, leaders and followers need recognition and appreciation to ensure that the work they do is important.
Emotions also need to be monitored. The professional must pay attention to his own behavior and what is happening around him. “Pay attention to signs of demotivation and team feedback and act quickly,” says Roosch.
If leadership doesn’t know how to break the ice, there are a few ways to improve the workplace climate:
- Before meetings, engage in “hallway chats” to ease tension
- Give room for error, without seeking blame for failures, but favoring the search for solutions. This includes showing leadership failures and insecurities
- Many leaders end up focusing on negative feedback and forget to celebrate progress and efforts.
Overall, “this makes a difference to happiness at work,” Roosch emphasizes.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
