Staying happy in the workplace

FINDLAY — "Deriving happiness from what you do centers around enjoying your purpose and understanding how you can contribute to the world around you," said city of Bowling Green Director of Human Resources Michelle Ish Thursday at a presentation about how to stay happy at work. Ish said it's important to make the choice to be happy in the workplace during her presentation, given at the Hancock County Safety Council meeting Thursday. "Start each day with an attitude of gratitude," she said, and find one thing to be happy for each day. Being happy in the workplace has other benefits. Ish said it will help not only your physical health, but also make you perform better, make better decisions, set bigger goals and help you seek growth opportunities. She said being mindful of mood can help differentiate between what's work related and what isn't. For those who like helping others in their work, Ish said there is a correlation between helping others and job satisfaction. "People tend to be happier at work when they are generous and have strong relationships where they have the opportunity to help others," she said. If you find yourself having a bad day, Ish recommends simply stepping away from it for a short break. To illustrate her point, she said she routinely finds small ways to make herself feel better, like eating her lunch away from her desk, enjoying a small treat or, when necessary, taking a day off to regroup and reset. "If your life is out of balance, you will be unhappy at work and at home," she said. Prioritizing health, both physical and mental, are vital to staying happy at work. If all else fails, she said that perhaps it is time for a change. Maybe that change is simply a new position with the same employer or it may be a different employer altogether. If looking for a new position with a different employer, Ish said it may be worthwhile to make a list of "must haves" and pursue opportunities that offer the items on the list. But she also noted that it's important to be flexible. The "must haves" may change based on the opportunity. Most importantly, the key to being happy at work, Ish said, is to appreciate yourself. Staying happy in yourself will lead to a happier and healthier life all around.