Here is a four step process for improving your happiness at work.

Do you wish you were happier at work? I have worked with hundreds of people who were unhappy at work and some of their stories were heart wrenching. Here is a recent response from a woman who was very dissatisfied with her work environment: My boss has temper tantrums. He will be snarky with me (his assistant) and others, and he also yells at people. He has reduced me to tears and made me feel like a child. He also slams things, kicks things, throws things. He has been verbally abusive toward me and other employees. His business partners are aware of his behaviors but accept it. If this sounds like you, run. Get as far away from this situation before this abuse gets the best of you. For those of you who don't like your work, but are in a more tolerable situation, here's a four step process for improving your happiness level at work.

Step One: Analyze why you are unhappy

The first step in dealing with a situation, whether you are leaving or staying, is to be very clear on what the problem is. The best way to analyze your current situation is to gather some cause and effect data. Whenever you feel unhappy with your job, think back over the immediate past and try to identify the triggers. Keep a journal over time if this helps you, or consult with a trusted friend/colleague to gather an outside perspective. Once you know the source of dissatisfaction, you will be clearer on what to do and also know what to avoid in your next job.

Step Two: Determine if you are going to take action

Happy employees, those who love their jobs, have learned that they need to take control over their own career development. You may or may not be able to make a difference, but one thing is sure, nothing will change if you do nothing. That is why it is important to determine if and how you plan to take action on working through your situation. First, you need to consider the risks and opportunities for challenging the status quo of your current situation. The clearer you are on what you will gain and some obstacles you may face, the more confident you will be in your next steps. This is where your trusted friend/colleague can help you think through the risks and opportunities. Often the simple act of starting to do something, anything, about an unhappy situation is the catalyst for making you feel better about the situation.

Step Three: Select and execute a strategy

Selecting and executing a strategy is easier said than done. Many times, we find individuals never do anything about their situation because they lack confidence and are afraid. Some of the main reasons employees are reporting staying in a job they hate is they do not have another job to go to, or they fear that by leaving they would make a mistake. Explore what is stopping you from executing a strategy and find support to see you through to the end. For example, if you're afraid of making a mistake, seek support from a friend, coach, or colleague who will offer encouragement. If you think you'll never find another job to go to, do some research to dispel those beliefs. You might be pleasantly surprised.

Step Four: Evaluate your current plan and refine when necessary

Even after a strategy has been selected and you have begun implementing, we recommend setting up check-points to see what is working and not working with your current plan. Make sure you are clear on what will really make you happy and set up some criteria for measuring your progress. How do you know you are successful if you have not defined what success looks like?

By Louisa Jewell, MAPP

Co-founder of www.WhyDidYouGo.com

Improving happiness at work, one workplace at a time

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Louisa Jewell
		About the author:
		I am the co-founder of www.whydidyougo.com and a consultant, facilitator and speaker. I work with organizations and leaders to create positive work environments that promote higher levels of performance and well-being. I am a positive psychology specialist and have just recently graduated from the ground-breaking Master of Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP) program at the University of Pennsylvania. The MAPP program is led by renowned psychologist, Martin Seligman and is the first masters program in the world that offers in-depth study of the science of human flourishing which I use with my organizational clients.
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