Ways To Be Happier At Work

A reader recently pointed me to some "rules for a happier life" that
various folks have posted in various forms. Here's my take on those
rules as they apply to the workplace:

Don't compare yourself to others
Everybody, and I mean everybody, starts out in a different place and
is headed for their own journey. You have no idea where someone else's
journey might lead them, so drawing comparisons is a complete waste of
time.

Never obsess over things you cannot control

While it's often important to know about other things-like the
economy, the markets that you sell to, the actions that others might
take, your focus should remain on what you actually control, which are
- your own thoughts and your own actions.

Know and keep your personal limits and boundaries

While your job might sometimes seem like the most important thing in
your world, you are killing a part of yourself if you let work
situations push you into places that violate your privacy and your
integrity.

Don't overstretch yourself or your team

It is great to be enthusiastic and willing to go the "extra mile," but
making promises that you or your team can't reasonably keep is simply
a way to create failure and disappointment.

Remember you get the same amount of time every day as everyone else

You may feel you are short on time and that you need more of it, but
the simple truth is that when the day started, you got your fair
share: 24 hours. Nobody got any more than you did, so stop
complaining.

Don't take yourself so seriously; nobody else does

The ability to laugh at your shortcomings not only makes you happier
as a person, it makes you more powerful, more influential and more
attractive to others. If you can't laugh at yourself, everyone else
will be laughing behind your back.

Daydream more rather than less

The idea that daydreaming and working are mutually exclusive belongs
back in the 20th century. It's when you let your thoughts wander that
you're more likely to have the insights that will make you both unique
and more competitive.

Don't bother with hate; it's not worth the effort

Hate is an emotional parasite that eats away at your energy and
health. If something is wrong with the world and you can change it,
take action. If you can't take action, you are better off to forgive
and forget.

Make peace with your past lest it creates your future

Focusing on your past mistakes or wrongs inflicted on you is exactly
like driving a car while looking in the rear view mirror. You will
keep heading for the same direction until you collide with something
solid.

Don't try to "win" every argument

Some battles aren't worth fighting, and many people are easier to
handle when they think they've won the argument. What's important
isn't "winning," but what you, and the other people involved, plan to
do next.

--www.smallbusiness.yahoo. com