University of Minnesota - (CEMBA) UMN Executive Leadership Insights
Find Your Happy at Work
Book

Find Your Happy at Work

50 Ways to Get Unstuck, Move Past Boredom, and Discover Fulfillment

Beverly Jones
Career Press, 2021
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Feeling stuck in a rut at work? According to executive coach Beverly Jones, even if you don’t love what you do, you can find meaning and happiness in your career. In this encouraging text, Jones outlines a range of strategies you can utilize to start flourishing at work. Drawing on behavioral science research, she covers everything from how to increase your mental well-being, build your network, continue learning and enjoy greater engagement. 

Summary

You have the power to make life-improving changes.

According to Gallup polls, more than half of American workers feel stressed and frustrated by or stuck in their present jobs. This stands in stark contrast to the one-third of workers who feel engaged and are happy, energized and purposeful at work. If you identify more with the former than the latter group, know that, even if you don’t see a way out of your current situation, you can make practical changes to improve your work life without changing jobs or career – specifically, changes to your perspective, skills, approach to life, mental acuity and health.

Sometimes, changing how you choose to work gives you a boost. Even if your job doesn’t offer you much autonomy, you can change how you usually do things – even if it’s as small as approaching an assignment with a less-pessimistic-than-normal attitude or listening more closely to your colleagues. Your brain reads this simple change as a chance to “be inventive” – a vital component of human happiness. 

Feel happier at work by pursuing the “Engagement Triangle.”

Happiness at work often hinges on three...

About the Author

Executive coach and leadership consultant Beverly Jones works with leaders at federal agencies, NGOs, universities and companies of all sizes. 

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