My friend Annette (who is the CEO of Årstiderne) sent me these inspiring words:
Happiness lies in the joy of achievement,
the thrill of creative effort.
The human spirit needs to accomplish, to achieve, to triumph to be happy.Happiness does not come from doing easy work.
It comes from the afterglow of satisfaction after the achievement of a difficult task that demands your best.Your personal growth itself contains the seed of happiness.
You cannot pursue happiness by itself.There is no happiness except in the realization that you have accomplished something.
Happiness thrives in activity.
It’s a running river, not a stagnant pond.
I agree completely. Achievement feels great. We all like to get results, make a difference, contribute value and do work we can be proud of.
My only quibble with this is that achievement is not the only source of happiness at work. I believe there are two things that make us happy at work and getting results is one of them.
See if you can guess what the other thing is :o)
A quote I’ve found myself increasingly crafting my work life around is “love what you do, always”
That being said, “happiness thrives in activity” struck a chord with me. I find it to be SO very true in every minute of every day. Work is much more a source of accomplishment than relaxation =)
I totally agree.
The other thing at work that would make you happy is loving what you do… this post hits me in the head yet again… I guess the time will come when I will be able to work where I can actually get to practice these two things that you posted about: achievement and loving what you do…
Love what you do!
Simple, but too often, it doesn’t happen. The vast majority of people don’t love going to work each day. Tragic. If you’re passionate about what you do, you’re more likely to help create a successful business, more likely to stay focused and more likely to remain healthy, happy and positive.. all good stuff.
Don’t tolerate work, celebrate it.
I think it would serve you far better if you ‘happily achieved’ instead of being happy only once you had achieved.
In my mind and experience happiness is normal state inside each of us that most of us have disconnected from, because we think and have been trained and conditioned by society that “something” HAS to happen before we can feel happy… not so (for me)!
FIRST feel happy THEN do what you love!
The other way around will put you in internal stressloop where happiness is sought for ‘on the outside’ – where there will forever only be temporary gratification – some traditions call it ‘a bottomless hole in the ego’ you can try to fulfill your whole life with little more than temporary succes… auch… :)
I know this was maybe way too deep, and I do understand the positive intend with the rhyme and respect that – I’m just pointing out the elusive obvious :)
Whatever you call it, it was my two cents right here before the weekend – enjoy yours!
Absolutely Thomas, the trick is being completely happy and satisfied with where you are, but still driven to take action and make more happen in your life.
I’m finding that realising that Right Now is all there is, and focusing on being the best I can be in the current moment is really helping to lift my mood level.
All the best,
Andy Baird
Cash. Free Time. Luxury Travel. Are you getting yours?
http://go.yourwebcash.biz/
Modern: Yeah, it resonated with me too. To many people, happiness equates with NOT doing anything. To me, it means doing something fun and worthwhile.
Guilla: Sorry to hit you on the head. Again :o)
Craig: Exactly – way too few people love their jobs. Probably because we’ve been conditioned to think that “work is tough, that’s why you get paid!” Let’s change that, huh?
Thomas: That is such a great point. Way too many people think that happiness lies at the other end of achievement or goals or relationships or … It makes much more sense to be happy first and THEN go for whatever you want!
Andy: “Right now is all there is.” I like it!
That is very much what a result-driven person, a CEO for example, would say. What if you don’t achieve? Are you suddenly unhappy? What’s changed? What if the outcome was outside your control? Is your happiness determined by chance? Then are you truly happy?
I would rather find happiness within.