| Joy at Work |
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Why an "Enjoying Work” Support Group?This work is a first attempt to chart a path to joy in the workplace. Others are exploring the same possibility. Canfield and Miller [1] have a writing called Heart at Work. Matthew Fox’s book [2] is about the re-invention of work, and Schechter [3] focuses on rekindling spirit in the workplace. Notwithstanding, the road is still void of clear directions to achieving happiness while working. The direction as drawn out includes four important steps. One is to identify and use a small group of peers as a social support network to help you in this quest. It is assumed that each session will be completed and discussed with a group of supportive, friendly people. Second is to use methods and skills to deal with co-workers. Not all workers will think the goal of joy at work is possible; therefore it will be necessary to learn how to be happy in the midst of unhappy co-workers. Third is to develop strategies for personal motivation. Motivation is defined as seeing primarily the positive side of things or to give an old cliché, “To see the glass as half-full rather than half empty.” Fourth, and of equal importance, is to use ideas to improve the working environment. Workers do have some autonomy to change the work environment even if it is minimal. Taking action to make changes is part of what we ask workers to do in order to have more joy in the work setting. One major assumption underlies what we present here and that is that you, not your boss or your co-workers, are responsible for your happiness at work. Contentment and joy will not come about if you wait for your employer to do it for you. Personal responsibility is essential in personal well-being. If you are unhappy at work take some action to make it better rather than blame others for your unhappiness. Sure, this is easy to say, but it is often very hard to do on a consistent basis. The joy at work club is designed to help you use skills and strategies to develop personal responsibility for self-care and to help you maintain that attitude on a day-to-day basis. Much of what is set down in this writing is based on perceptual psychology. What you see is what you get, so to speak. The idea is to focus on the positive and possible rather than on the problems. The focus is on personal strengths and resources rather than personal limitations and faults. Admittedly this is not accomplished merely by say that a favorable outlook is the goal, but by using the four steps of the joy at work club. We try to identify what might be blocking joy at work and then take steps to overcome the blocks and enhance enjoyment. Sources: |