How would you like to be more successful at work?  How would you like to be better paid?  What about being more engaged and energised – does that grab you?  And what would it be like if Monday mornings were something you looked forward too?  If you already do then congratulations, you’re probably happy at work.  If you’re not, then the good news is that you’re going to reap a whole pile of benefits as we show you how to be happier at work.

Jessica Pryce-Jones (author of Happiness at Work) conducted a large-scale study of more than 3,000 respondents in 79 countries and she found that the happiest employees are:

• 180% more energised
• 155% happier with their jobs
• 150% happier with life
• 108%  more engaged
• 50% more motivated and
• 50% more productive!

The happiest employees took 2/3 less sick leave and spent 80% of their time doing what they were there to do compared with 40% by the least happiest.

It’s not just employers that are better off. According to Dr Sonja Lyubomirski (Ph.DS Psychology, University of California) people that are happy at the office have higher incomes, better outcomes and enjoy more success. In research published in 2005, Lyubomirski found that there was a much stronger causal link between happiness and success than between success and happiness – i.e. happy people become successful – not the other way around (though there is a bit of that). Or put it another way – if you’re miserable before you became successful you’ll be miserable afterwards ( so don’t put it off your happiness !).

Why then do employers (and let’s face it many employees) resist the notion of happiness at work?  Why do they have a separate (and smaller) budget for wellbeing then they do for professional development?  It’s because we think to be productive you also have to be serious and stressed.  I call it the ”George Costanza Myth” (see my earlier post for more).   It’s the notion that successful people are harried, highly-strung and much too busy to have fun or to share a kind word with their colleagues.

In truth maintaining a positive, uplifted, outward-looking and humourful state is much better for your work, concentration, memory and decision-making than a serious, stressed and/or narrow focus.  It’s also better for your health, wellbeing, wallet and success.  So enjoy your life and your work – it’s good for you and it’s good for your organisation.  Stay tuned for further updates on how to build your happiness and productivity, save time and stop stress. Comments welcome.

Give yourself a top day.

Cris Popp
Chief Happiness Officer

I’m thrilled, and a little flattered, to announce that after two and a half years of hard work I’ve been invited to take Laughter Yoga to the “Happiness and Its Causes 2010″ conference! This conference has featured some of the biggest, baddest (or should that be happiest?), and most influence figures in happiness Dalai Lama; Martin Seligman (the ‘father’ of positive psychology); Marva Collins (US educationalist); and Tal Ben Shahar.  This year I am very much looking forward to seeing Barbara Fredrickson – a pioneer in the field of positive emotions.

Happiness & Its Causes is the world’s largest forum on human happiness and is being held at the Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre, 5-6 May 2010.  Each year, over 2,000 people from all walks of life meet at the conference to examine the big issues of life.   The conference provides a unique combination of hard-edged science, real life inspiration, gut-wrenching personal stories and practical wisdom.  Many have hailed it as a life-changing experience.  I know I certainly have – it is also an incredible buzz to be in a room so many people all interested in human development.

There are some fantastic key note speakers scheduled to present over the two-day event, including some of the world’s best psychologists, scientists and philosophers (and of course – me)!   I am very grateful for the opportunity to bring laughter yoga to so many people – I hope you can be one of them.   If you do come please popp (sorry couldn’t resist that pun) over and say hello.

Yours Laughingly, Cris