Happy new year! I hope you and your family enjoyed a festive holiday season; my family and I had a wonderful time. It’s officially 2022; I personally love the start of a new year as it’s a fresh slate to set and achieve new goals while making more memories. However, I know for many, the vast unknown can be quite intimidating especially in the context of the workspace. Whatever the year holds for us, I wanted to use this opportunity to remind you that the year is what you make it. It starts by consciously choosing to be happy and enjoying the journey. Let’s talk a little bit more about how you can achieve it.
Being Happy 101
“Stop searching for happiness. It is not a destination: rather, it is a state of being.”
Nathan Jamail, Keynote Speaker
I once heard a leader say that if your goal is to find happiness, then you will never attain it. What does this mean? Is this guy trying to say you can’t be happy? No, he isn’t. In fact, he has a valid point, allow me to explain. Many people often set finding happiness as a yearly resolution- but the thing is, the potential to be happy already exists in you, it is not a lost treasure. Happiness is simply a state of being, ready for you to settle in and enjoy, once you realize this truth. This isn’t to say that you should put your head in the sand and ignore tough things. It is to point out, that it is your perception of said things that causes distress. Not the things themselves. And that you can choose to perceive differently at any time.
Being a Happy Leader
“If you project unhappiness, expect an unhappy team.”
Nathan Jamail, Keynote Speaker
A great leader realizes the importance of all team members, including him or herself, in being happy. This state of being boosts morale, builds strong team sentiments and makes the 40 hour+ work week a lot more tolerable. Therefore, as a leader you must insist that everyone is and remains happy, and those who refuse? Well, them and even you- if you are included- better find a new place to work or hang out. Unhappiness can insidiously spread from one team member to the other and when this happens? Goodbye productivity. So it is your job as a leader, to create an environment where happiness can flourish, or at the very least, be proactive in seeking resolutions to issues blocking the perception of happiness.
Don’t be Fooled, Happy is NOT Contentment
“If an organization is having a morale issue, look at the happiness and contentment of the team.”
Nathan Jamail, Keynote Speaker
Ok, ok, ok. This must seem quite contrary right? Me telling you contentment is not an indicator of happiness. I promise, I’m not insane. You see the thing is, when people stop trying to improve or learn, they become bored and content (and actually unhappy). Ergo, contentment is your enemy as a leader, as it contributes to bad morale.
I’m gonna drop another bomb here, so hold on tight! Contentment is like quick sand; anybody can fall in it and it will continue to pull people down until they are gone or until a leader challenges them and pulls them out. The former is counterproductive as in business, like life, one must always strive to be better and improve.
Final Thoughts
This brings me back to the start, happiness is a state of being, so instead of setting a new year resolution to be happy, realize the potential to achieve it has been there with you all along. Also, don’t settle, do not mistake contentment for happiness, from you or your employees. Just remember: contentment is like bad breath—sometimes we can’t smell our own bad breath and we need someone to tell us, so we can change it. Get in a happy state of being and challenge yourself and your team to never be content.
Hey, you! Yep, I’m talking to you! Do you know that I specialize in giving employees that extra moral boost through my #winning organizational culture and performance workshops? You can book me here or check out some of my other materials, like my books Serve Up, Coach Down and The Leadership Playbook: : Creating a Coaching Culture to Build Winning Business Teams.
