“How much money is enough?”
That question was put to John D. Rockefeller, the man who founded Standard Oil. The first-ever American billionaire replied, “Just a little bit more.”
His reply demonstrates well that happiness at work won’t come from earning more money and buying more stuff.
The high we get from acquiring another gadget, toy, or adornment doesn’t last. We quickly go back to our previous level of happiness, thinking about the next thing we hope will make us happy.
Thus—provided you have enough to eat, a home, and sufficient money to buy essentials—just having more money will not make you happier.
The Relationship Between Work and Happiness
Much as we complain about it, work is essential to happiness. After all, it feeds us, puts a roof over our heads, and lets us connect with other people.
Of course, we all hope for our dream job. But even if you’re not creating computer games, writing the great American novel, or saving the world, work provides satisfaction. It’s all about how you look at your job.
A hospital custodian can think of providing comfort for patients and support for doctors and nurses instead of just sweeping floors. Phone solicitors convinced of the value of what they are raising money for often raise more money because of a sense of purpose.
Studies have shown that happiness at work involves these four features:
- Opportunity for renewal
- Feeling valued
- Ability to focus
- Sense of purpose
Let’s consider each one and how it contributes to your happiness at work.
Opportunity for renewal
Workers who have opportunities to take breaks at work stay engaged and creative. Taking frequent breaks to renew is better for the worker’s health. It also (surprise!) increases creativity. These qualities greatly enhance happiness at work.
Taking a break every 90 minutes helps you focus and increases your creativity and well-being by almost 50 percent. So, whether you think of your work as your dream job or as just a regular job, taking breaks for renewal will increase your happiness.
Feeling valued
Supervisors who make their subordinates feel valued and cared for are good leaders. They have happier workers.
Workers are more likely to stay in jobs where their leaders inspire trust and where they feel safe. Usually, they are also more engaged in their work. Yes, happiness at work has a lot to do with whether the worker feels valued.
Ability to focus
Being able to focus on one task at a time is a job perk. Workers who have that luxury are 50 percent more engaged. Plus, workers who can prioritize their work so they can focus on one task are more likely to find happiness at work.
Sense of purpose
The highest impact on happiness at work and job satisfaction is feeling that your work has a purpose.
Workers who believe that their work has meaning and significance stay longer with their companies and organizations. They also are almost half more engaged as workers who don’t see much meaning in what they do.
And workers who believe their jobs have a purpose find almost twice as much happiness at work as workers who don’t feel their jobs have significance.
Buying Time
Even the wealthiest sometimes feel guilty about spending money on tasks they can do themselves, like taking a cab, hiring a maid, or sending a messenger. But that guilt may be misplaced.
To the extent that happiness involves spending money, surveys show that buying yourself time instead of stuff makes you happier.
People in the U.S., Canada, Denmark, and The Netherlands who spent money on convenience and saving time reported being happier than those who didn’t spend money that way. Ordering take-out, hiring a cleaner, or paying somebody to run your errands actually increased their happiness.
Yes, saving time means less stress and greater well-being. So, if you can afford it, give yourself the gift of time. It will increase your happiness at work and throughout your life.
