Happiness How-To

Community Manager — Wed, 02 May 2012 14:48:00 GMT

Happiness is on your mind: last month's post How to Be Happy At Work got our readers clicking like crazy. After all, who doesn't want to be happy at work? So many hours of each day are spent at our desks, if we're not happy at work; we're spending a large part of our day feeling unhappy indeed.

We know that our tips on cultivating happiness at work boost your happiness quotient because you told us so. Ready for more ideas?

No one gives happiness advice like Gretchen Rubin, creator of the blog and book The Happiness Project. Rubin devoted a calendar year to both studying happiness and trying to boost her happiness levels with specific steps each month. Rubin's entire web site has great, user-friendly advice; we particularly like a recent post, Feel Grateful for the Basics. In it, Rubin examines the "lost wallet syndrome," which is the phenomenon of taking for granted the things that make our life easy, pleasant and provide happiness. Only once those things are "lost" do we realize their crucial role in our happiness. Bottom line: appreciate what's good in your life; everybody has blessings so take the time to count them.

We also like the advice from the Zen Habits, a blog about simple living. In the post A Powerful Three-Step Algorithm for Happiness, http://bit.ly/JdKZj1 the author recommends spending the day doing three simple things: 1) taking the time to appreciate everyone you encounter, 2) smiling and making eye-contact and 3) trying to express appreciation and love to all you encounter. Sounds simple but when was the last time you really took the time to express simple appreciation to those you love for their role in your life. Bottom line: happiness is contagious, spread it to others and get it back in spades.

Finally, you know us: organization is our reason d'être and we like to think organized people are happier people. Think about it: organized people are less stressed, more productive and have more time to spend on passions and people. So go ahead and add a little happiness to your life by getting organized!

Do you think it's possible to increase happiness? What is your surefire way of boosting happiness for yourself? For others? Share your thoughts here and on the Pendaflex Facebook page.

Beyond Folders : organization tips, happiness

Happiness How-To