What I Do To Bring Joy To My Workplace

When work is mentioned, it’s not often mentioned alongside the word “joy”. If you look around you now, chances are you’ll see most of your colleagues looking like they wish they were somewhere else.

But there is always that one person who walks into work every single day with a bundle of energy and a bubble of joy. You know the type – the one who wishes everyone a good morning and somehow manages to put a smile on everyone’s faces (even that grouchy HR exec!); the one who knows everyone’s birthday and will always show up with a slice of cake or a small gift; the one everyone wishes they knew what their secret is to happiness at work.

Well, we found these joy makers and asked them the question we’ve all been wondering about: How do you make work a joyful place? Here are their answers – worth following if you want happiness Mondays to Fridays!

“It’s a matter of perspective if you ask me. I have to be at work 9 to 5 (sometimes longer!) from Monday to Friday. I can choose to be grumpy and in a constant state of blah… or I can choose to make the most of it and enjoy my day, come what may. It’s probably a better idea to choose the latter, don’t you think? Sure, I have some down days but I quickly pick myself up because there’s really no point mulling over it. Try it for a week – be conscious of being happy at work and enjoying whatever it is that you do. It will definitely make your work week much more pleasant than complaining about this and that, and feeling sad all the time!” – Luna

“Come up for air and clear your head! We are not built to be desk bound for long periods of time. What I do is move around a lot at work so I don’t feel sluggish and down. Fortunately, my desk is next to a window so I look outside a lot to take in nature. That helps take away a lot of the stress for the day, and when you do this often enough, you’ll find joy and peace, even on your most tiring days.” - Ann

“Smile! It’s the easiest thing to do yet the one we often forget. Come to work with a smile on your face. Say good morning, make small talk – all before the real work begins. We are often so caught up in our career progression and being professional that we forget to have some fun at work – which is not only allowed but encouraged!” – Hattan

“Surround yourself with colleagues who are positive and inspiring. Imagine spending your days with them – all that joy is bound to rub off on you. But if you spend your time with people who moan, groan, and complain always – I don’t have to tell you just how quickly you’ll slide into that negativity.” – Meesom

“I give myself a treat – lots of it when I am feeling overwhelmed. A yummy lunch, a soft and comfy pillow for my back, especially if I know I will be working longer hours, my favourite candy or snack. These things, even if small, will make a hard day go by easily. I sometimes go the extra mile by packing these small rewards for my colleagues, especially if we’ve been working hard on a project!” – Dashan

Photo by Surface on Unsplash.