How Would You Rate Your Happiness at Work?
By Sandy Schroeder
Questions about happiness at work often draw very different responses. Some people feel work is separate from happiness, and others feel happiness at work equates with success.
I happen to believe it is essential to enjoy what you do. When it works for you, it works for the job too. I have worked at jobs that I loved, and ones that I just tolerated. I always did a better job, and came away pleased when the job worked for me.
The Greater Good Science Center at Berkeley looked at this issue recently and came up with a quiz to assess happiness at work.
Here are a few of the questions that might help you think about how you feel about your work; questions are answered with a 1 to 5, Strongly Disagree or Strongly Agree.
- At my work, I always persevere, even when things do not go well
- I try my hardest to perform well, and often get immersed in my work
- I have a strong and reliable network of supportive colleagues at work
- I look forward to each new day at work
If those questions intrigued you and gave you a glimpse of how you feel about your work, you might ask yourself more questions
- Have you stayed in the same job for quite awhile because it pleased you?
- Do you find yourself thinking about the job when you are at home?
- Do you feel you have grown in your job?
- Where do you see your job leading?
- Have you shaped your job to your skills to make it more effective?
- Is your job like a second skin, or do you have to make an effort to fit into it?
- Are you looking for ways to change your job or improve your skills?
If those questions work for you, you might also think about how other aspects of your work?
- Do you feel at home in your workplace?
- Have you found friendship and support on the job?
- Do you routinely helps others on the job?
- Does your job inspire you to try new things?
- Does your job make you feel proud of your company?
- Is trust a guaranteed ingredient among your co-workers?
- What would you change if you could?
- What is the best thing about your job?
- Is humor an ongoing habit in your workplace?
If these questions have helped you look deeper into your job, you may want to discuss them with co-workers too. I have always been amazed at how different my views were from others, but I always learned from their answers too. The more questions we ask the more we may see.
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