"The value of taking risks through all stages of life is constant...it's the excuses that change."
Rik Leaf, Four Homeless Millionaires
When I think of what makes me happy at work, often it involves working in my area of strength or reaching a goal that seemed hard to obtain. I also believe that happy people tend to be more productive at work and I found the Gallop Poll conducted a survey a few years ago around this subject of employee productivity. The more an employee answers "yes" to these twelve questions, the more productive (and happy) they will be:
1) Do I know what is expected of me?
2) Do I have the materials & equipment to do the job?
3) Am I doing what I do best every day?
4) Have I received recognition or praise in the last 7 days
5) Does management/leadership care about me?
6) Is my development encouraged?
7) Does my opinion count?
8) Is my work important?
9) Are my co-workers doing quality work?
10) Do I have a best friend at work?
11) Have I received feedback in the last 6 months?
12) Have I received opportunities to learn & grow?
While the twelve items listed above will increase an employee's productivity and happiness, I sensed something was missing or perhaps an addition was needed to number 12 listed above.
Recently I read an article on "What Happy People Do Differently" in the August 2013 issue of Psychology Today. What was interesting about this article was the discovery that happy people will often engage in unhappy activities. In other words, they follow their curiosity about what causes a problem and seek out activities that make them feel uncertain, uncomfortable or slightly anxious in search of a solution. In essence, they take a risk and try something new whether that be a new task, idea or strategy to get out of their comfort zone.
A great example of this for me is the use of social media. I sensed this new form of communication would help solve problems I was having reaching my clients and I decided to follow my curiosity of how this worked while also feeling anxious, nervous and uncomfortable about learning something new. I am not saying I am an expert right now, but I do know that I am happier at my work knowing how to navigate the social media world and feeling a sense of accomplishment in deciding to dive in and learn as much as I can.
While becoming curious and exploring new territory at work may not seem to make you more productive immediately, the research is proving that being curious and taking a risk can lead to more happiness at work.
Question for You:
Do you find yourself discontent, bored or unhappy with your job? When was the last time you were curious about something and took a risk in exploring that curiosity?
Action for You:
Follow up on an idea or curious feeling you have around a problem in your area or another department. Allow yourself to feel the anxiety and discomfort of learning something new, knowing that the journey of taking a risk and exploring something new may lead to increased happiness in your work.
"Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all."
Helen Keller
