Powered by Happy

think about your last really happy day at work. how did it affect your performance, your relationships, your creativity? now think about a day when you felt miserable. it’s not just your mood that takes a hit on days like that – your productivity drops, teamwork feels harder, and even simple tasks seem to drag on forever. those days can feel endless, and let’s be honest, pretty unbearable.

but here's the good news: happiness at work isn't a matter of luck or circumstance. it's a skill you can develop, a practice you can master, and a choice you can make every day. 

in this chapter, you'll discover practical strategies to boost your workplace happiness, enhance your performance, and create positive ripples throughout your organization. from rewiring your mindset to building a personal happiness toolkit, these insights will transform how you experience work - and how work experiences you.

success doesn't create happiness — it's actually the other way around. when you're happy at work, you become more successful. this powerful insight turns traditional thinking on its head, and it's backed by solid research from some of the world's leading institutions.

studies show that happy employees are forty percent more productive than their less satisfied colleagues. they also stay in their jobs longer, collaborate better with teammates, and create more innovative solutions to workplace challenges. your brain simply works better when you're in a positive state. you become more creative, learn faster, and make better decisions.

the science behind this is fascinating. when you experience positive emotions at work, your brain releases chemicals like dopamine and serotonin. these natural mood boosters do more than just make you feel good – they enhance your ability to spot opportunities, solve problems, and connect with others. your mental processing becomes sharper, and your emotional resilience grows stronger.

this enhanced brain function leads to measurable improvements in performance. happy workers consistently outperform their peers in key areas like sales and customer satisfaction. they show greater creativity in problem-solving and innovation. they're also notably more engaged with their work and more likely to advance in their careers. their enthusiasm and positive approach make them natural candidates for new opportunities and leadership roles.

the best part is that happiness at work isn't something that just happens to lucky people – it's a skill you can develop. by understanding and applying specific strategies, you can actively boost your workplace happiness and, as a result, your success. small changes in how you approach your work can create significant improvements in both your happiness and your performance.

think of workplace happiness as a muscle you can strengthen. just as you might work out to build physical strength, you can practice techniques that build your capacity for workplace positivity. these techniques are practical and achievable, regardless of your current job situation or career level.

the key lies in taking a systematic approach to building workplace happiness. the next chapter will introduce a powerful framework that breaks down workplace happiness into five essential components. by understanding and developing each of these components, you can create a more fulfilling and successful work life.

just as you can power up your devices, you can power up your happiness at work. this means taking deliberate steps to boost your positive energy and engagement. think of it as charging your internal battery — and there are five key ways to do this.

purpose generates motivation and drive, so finding your purpose in work is the first charge up. this means going beyond your daily tasks to connect with what truly matters to you in what you do. when you understand how your work contributes to something meaningful, even routine tasks take on new significance. you might discover purpose in mentoring colleagues, improving customer experiences, or contributing to your organization's broader mission.

owning your work experience is the next supercharger for your happiness banks. rather than waiting for happiness to find you, take active steps to create it. this might mean reorganizing your workspace, setting clear boundaries with colleagues around work-life balance, or initiating projects that excite you. you're in charge of your work experience, and small changes can make a big difference.

wisdom comes third, and it's all about learning from every experience. each challenge, success, or setback contains valuable lessons. by staying curious and open to learning, you transform everyday work experiences into opportunities for growth. this might mean seeking feedback, trying new approaches, or sharing insights with colleagues.

energy management is the fourth key element in the framework. this isn't just about having more energy — it's about using the energy that you do have more wisely. think about when you feel most energized and arrange your important tasks during these peak times. simple changes like taking short walks, having energizing conversations, or finding quiet moments for reflection can help maintain your energy throughout the day.

resilience is the final aspect of the framework, because work life has its ups and downs, and bouncing back from setbacks is crucial. building resilience means developing strategies to handle stress, maintain your perspective, and keep moving forward even when the going gets tough. it's about bending rather than breaking when challenges arise.

these five elements work together to create a powerful approach to workplace happiness. by strengthening each one, you create a more sustainable and enjoyable work life. in the next chapter, we'll explore specific techniques for rewiring your mindset to put these principles into practice.

to start building your own powered-up framework, begin by shifting how you think about each day. you don’t need to fake constant cheerfulness – that’s not the same as being truly happy. it’s more about creating simple, practical mental habits that naturally boost your positivity and resilience.

start with the first ten minutes of your workday. instead of diving straight into emails or urgent tasks, take a moment to set your mental stage. think of three things you're looking forward to today. these don't need to be big events — maybe it's a morning coffee with a colleague, making progress on an interesting project, or trying a new approach to a regular task. this simple practice primes your brain to spot opportunities rather than obstacles.

next, work on expanding your perspective when challenges arise. when facing a difficult situation, imagine viewing it from different angles. a demanding client becomes an opportunity to develop problem-solving skills. a challenging project becomes a chance to learn new approaches. this isn't about ignoring problems or focusing only on the parts you like, it's about finding the growth potential within them.

building better thought patterns also means managing your mental energy. notice when negative thoughts start to spiral and develop simple ways to redirect them. you might keep a list of past successes to review when doubts creep in. or create a folder of positive feedback to remind yourself of your capabilities. these concrete reminders help break the cycle of negative thinking.

another powerful technique is changing how you talk to yourself at work. replace simple phrases like i have to in your thought process with, i get to. this subtle shift transforms obligations into opportunities. for instance, when you catch yourself thinking i have to attend this meeting, try consciously replacing it with, i get to contribute my ideas. this simple change in language can significantly affect how you experience your workday.

connecting with others plays a crucial role in rewiring your mindset, too. seek out colleagues who maintain a constructive outlook and get their input on situations that need your own positive outlook. their approach often rubs off on you, creating a positive feedback loop. share your successes, no matter how small, and celebrate others' wins too. this creates an environment where positive thinking becomes natural and reinforcing.

it is important to understand  that rewiring your mindset is a gradual process, not an instant decision. small, consistent changes in how you think about work add up to significant shifts in your experience over time. 

creating a happiness toolkit means developing practical habits and techniques you can use every day at work. think of these tools as your personal set of strategies to boost positive emotions and handle workplace challenges more effectively. these practices don't change challenging situations directly, but they can transform how you feel about them, freeing you to engage more positively.

start with a simple gratitude practice. keep a small notebook or digital file where you document daily wins and positive experiences at work. don’t think about writing long entries – just quick notes about successful meetings, helpful colleagues, or problems solved. over time, this collection of positive moments can become a powerful reminder of your impact and growth, especially useful during challenging times.

maintaining perspective is another essential tool in your kit. when faced with difficult business decisions or changes, practice seeing them through an organizational lens rather than taking them personally. remember that most workplace decisions involve complex factors beyond your immediate view. this mindset tool helps you stay balanced and prevents you from carrying unnecessary emotional weight.

your ego can be one of the biggest barriers to workplace happiness, so add some humility practices to your toolkit as well. before important meetings or discussions, take a moment to check your ego "at the door." listen more than you speak. be open to others' ideas and perspectives. when things go well, share the credit. when things go wrong, focus on learning rather than defending.

build recognition rituals into your daily routine. make it a habit to acknowledge others' contributions, no matter how small. send a quick thank-you message after someone helps you. celebrate team successes openly. these simple practices not only boost others' happiness but create a positive atmosphere that enhances your own work experience.

value alignment checks belong in your toolkit too. regularly assess whether your work activities align with your personal values. when you notice a disconnect, look for ways to bring more meaning to your tasks or have honest conversations about adjusting your role. this ongoing alignment helps maintain authentic workplace happiness.

start using these tools gradually, adding one new practice at a time. your toolkit should feel natural and supportive, not just another set of tasks to check off your to-do list. and consider sharing your practice with a trusted colleague on their own happiness journey, because nothing boosts motivation and commitment more than practicing with a partner or even a whole team.

your workplace happiness creates ripples that extend far beyond your own experience. like waves spreading across a pond, your happiness practices influence everyone around you, transforming the environment for everyone. the key lies in how you show up each day and interact with others.

start by being the colleague for others that you'd want others to be for you. this means showing up as a genuine, positive, and respected team member. when you maintain this approach consistently, you'll find that happiness flows back to you naturally. make an effort to truly know your colleagues — their hidden talents, their challenges, their dreams. people don't care how much you know until they know how much you care.

one challenging but powerful practice is assuming innocence in all your workplace interactions. instead of creating stories about others' intentions or dwelling on potential conflicts, choose to believe that your colleagues are acting with the best intentions. this simple shift eliminates unnecessary tension and creates space for positive connections to grow. when challenges arise, remember to maintain perspective. don't overreact or internalize things that are beyond your control.

building meaningful workplace relationships amplifies your happiness practice. develop genuine friendships at work, because  these people understand your daily pressures better than anyone else and can become lifelong allies. start and end each day with gratitude, using your walk into and out of work to reflect on what you appreciate. take time to praise and recognize others' efforts — you'll be amazed at the positive responses you receive.

remember that others are watching and learning from your example. act in ways that might inspire someone to tell you years later that you were instrumental in their career. keep complaining to a minimum, pull your weight as a team player, and help others even when you don't feel like it. this creates a satisfaction that feeds back into your own happiness and builds a supportive network for when you need it most.

the most powerful ripple effect comes from authentically living these practices. stay humble, learn from mistakes without dwelling on them, and celebrate small wins. be patient with others and help bring them along on their own journeys. most importantly, align your work with your values and pursue what genuinely excites you,  because true workplace happiness spreads most effectively when it is genuine.

by maintaining these happiness practices, you become part of a larger transformation in workplace culture. your positive impact extends far beyond your own desk, creating an environment where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

the main takeaway of this chapter to powered by happy by beth thomas is that… 

success doesn't create happiness, happiness creates success, and this insight can transform your work life. by understanding and applying the five key elements of powering up — purpose, ownership, wisdom, energy, and resilience — you can actively build your workplace happiness. simple practices like morning check-ins, purposeful mindset shifts, and intentional relationship building create a foundation for sustained positivity at work. most importantly, when you cultivate your own workplace happiness through practical tools and authentic engagement, you create positive ripples that extend far beyond your desk, contributing to a more fulfilling environment for everyone.

okay, that’s it for this chapter. we hope you enjoyed it. if you can, please take the time to leave us a rating – we always appreciate your feedback. see you in the next chapter.