9 Daily Habits That Will Make You Happier

I came across this informative article I think some of my readers would greatly appreciate.  I have personally used some of the tips in the past and present and they definitely work.  If you are happier in your personal life, it will help your professional life. Enjoy!

9 Daily Habits That Will Make You Happier

Too Many Time Wasters at Work Mean Shorter Hours Needed

Do you work for a company who has tasks that could actually be completed in five hours rather than eight?  Now I know some won't admit too much of anything, because hours equate dollars and no one wants to give up money.  But the truth of the matter is many companies spend far too much money keeping employees at the workplace for eight plus hours. Some tasks simply can be done in less than eight hours.

 

If you are a boss, rather than cut jobs out altogether, consider part-time hours.  Observe your staff a little more closely.  How much time is being allotted to do routine things?  Is it especially important to have time set aside to check several ways to communicate ie.) email, text, voice mail etc. when maybe all you need is one?  What about fax machine and copier tasks, do these duties have to be done daily?  How about break times ie. ) for smoking and personal conversation at cubicles, over the phone, and the water coolers, how often and for how long is this going on?  Are birthdays, baby showers, weddings, and other holidays necessary to celebrate at work?  How long are lunches? There are also those workers who take much time seeking parking and walking to work, can this time be streamlined?

 

 Make a list of the time wasters and note the approximate time employees are taking up time doing things like:  eating at their desks, opening emails, surfing on the Internet, and other things.  You know that too much comfort can take away from valuable tasks being done such as: calling clients back, running company errands, filing paperwork, typing documentation etc.  Sometimes laying off people is not the solution, but cutting back hours is.

 

Once you factor in all the time that is being directed to these activities, you will find that much time during the workdays are being wasted.  Consider having a meeting with your leaders sharing your findings and then proceed to make necessary arrangements.  Do include the cost savings to the company.

 

Here are some workplace time wasters you may not have thought about:

• Slow computers and other office equipment that could generate faster output.
• Making adjustments to an electronic device from an ipod to a watch.
• Eating snacks every 30 minutes.
• Standing in long lunch lines.
• Answering phone calls and email from fellow co-workers.
• Walking to a bathroom on the other side of the building.
• Walking to the snack machine on the other side of the building.
• Filing, faxing, or typing information  that really don't need to be handled in one or all of these ways.

Can you think of some more?

 

 

 Nicholl McGuire is the author of a variety of books and journals including: My Business Plan on Blurb.com

Dress Code Policies - Spell Them Out!

One's workplace attire should never be a topic years later if the information was clear and specific from the beginning of employment and updated in writing as necessary.  However, what makes this subject matter an issue that surfaces every now and then is due to fashion trends, dedicated employees viewing others getting away with breaking policies, and more.  

So when the issue comes up, don't brush it off, give it a pass, or spend way too much time talking about it.  Instead, spell out what the fashion violations are in writing, redistribute company policies, arrange to meet with all parties, explain why employees should adhere to company standards, and mention the consequences.  When you take the time to do all these things, you don't have to worry about someone claiming, "I didn't know..." when you write them up.

Career Development – A Boss Who Feels Jealous. | WiseWolf Talking – the WiseWolf Coaching Blog

If you're a boss who is secretly experiencing jealous feelings toward someone in your group, you may want to read this:  Career Development – Dealing With A Boss Who Feels Jealous. | WiseWolf Talking – the WiseWolf Coaching Blog

Is Someone on the Job Running Scared, Fearful You are Going to Take Their Job?

You might have been the one joking about one day taking over your manager's position.  He or she may have noticed lately that you are a threat.  Sometimes we underestimate those who appear like they are secure with their positions.  We assume that they trust us.  But once you verbalize your desire to have anything of those who lead over you, you become someone to watch out for.

I got the opportunity to observe a student elevate into a teacher role over a period of years.  When the student had finally reached his plateau, it was time to find a way for the teacher to push his student out the door.  Now on the surface, this was a good thing, that is if the student felt he or she was ready.  But there was some growing that still needed to be done and besides the student was looking for opportunities close by, not far away.  This one who had learned the ropes didn't want to believe that his beloved teacher was pushing him outdoors when those around him tried to warn him.  What the student forgot, was that the teacher remembered his cocky comments about one day being "the boss" and so when the time was right, he had to push his student away.  No one likes an arrogant student or one who acts like a know-it-all, these flaws in his character was quite evident to the teacher.  It would only be a matter of time that they might bump heads.  Now because the teacher didn't want to hurt the student by setting him up to fail, despite past offenses, fear, and the temptation to want to pay him back, he did what was best, he encouraged him to go elsewhere.  "Did you consider looking into my position with another establishment?" Of course, the opportunity would move the student and his family far away.  The threat would be gone permanently, so he had hoped.

I share this story because I think that some people tend to get too comfortable with their bosses.  They go out for drinks and meals and discuss personal business.  They invite their workers to their homes.  They offer to run errands and do favors.   For some individuals this sort of thing works, but for others not so much.  Where exactly is the line?  Who draws it?  And when do you not cross it?

You see those close knit relationships are nice as long as everyone knows their role and don't mix business with pleasure (such was the case between teacher and student until the student started acting arrogantly), but they are also detrimental to your future work relationship. Sooner or later one is going to say or do something that the other doesn't like, especially if it has something to do with his or her position in the company.  When this happens, just like the man who thought his boss "just loved him,"  a worker will soon hear about him or her "being a perfect fit elsewhere."

Just something to think about.

So what are some signs that show that a boss feels threatened by you?

1. He starts acting like every idea you have isn't right, wouldn't ever work, or could possibly cause more harm than good.
2. He acts visibly jealous when you talk about all of your accomplishments--even though he had a hand in them.
3. He looks for faults.  He finds issues with how you do things that he never had with you before.
4. He teases, name-calls, or does other things that make you question whether he is just joking or is serious.
5. You hear from others that your boss has said some things about you personally and/or professionally that appear like you don't know what you are doing or what you are talking about.
6. He takes your ideas and doesn't give you any credit.
7. He often encourages you to get a similar position elsewhere and may even go so far as to help make some things happen.

If you feel like your boss is threatened by you, find a way to talk about your concern, but whatever you do don't act like you are better, know more, or can handle every situation perfectly.  If you are a believer, pray for your boss or anyone who has been giving you trouble lately.