In two days, you will put up your new 2012 calendar in your office. Sometimes having a brand spanking new calendar can make you feel like you have a whole new future ahead of you. (I almost said that it makes me feel like I have a new business suit, but after all I'm working in Northern California these days. We wear jeans and sweaters. Period.)
Of course, if you're fiddling with the calendar in your office, it means you're back at work after the holiday break. The reality is that you probably have a new set of objectives looming before you and perhaps a new boss, team or organizational structure, too.
If you're like me, you'll be struggling with mixed feelings on January 3. One part of me will be merrily sprinkling small bursts of anticipation and curiosity across my brain as I look forward to 2012 and some new projects. However, another part of me will be clamped on the door frame to my office wailing, "Do I have to do this again!?!"
If this confusion sounds all too familiar, I'm here with a gentle suggestion. It has nothing to do with New Year's resolutions which -- face it -- have far more to do with figuring out our wishes, hopes and daydreams than with resolving to change.
We can learn a lot from the growing research on the psychology of happiness. But let me make an immediate clarification. This field of psychology addresses how to make the most of what life gives us, good or bad -- not how to throw the best beach party or become the next winner of a Nobel Peace Prize.
So here's the suggestion from the happiness research. Take a look around at work, pause, and count your blessings.
OK, don't stop reading. Stick with me. I am no Pollyanna. There's sound research that this will help you feel sunnier (and ergo, do better work, be a better manager, friend, parent, etc.)
Think about three to five things you have to be grateful for at work. They could be really mundane (i.e. "I'm glad we took the time to price those hot jobs last year" or "I'm glad I finally got a desk chair that supports my back"). Or they could be major (i.e. "I'm grateful for that promotion" or "I feel like we managed the incentive budget really effectively this year").
To get a regular hit of happiness, do this at least once a week. And, for some people, doing it every day will be a really big help. Right now, though, I just want to help you get over that nasty January 3 hurdle.
Of course, 2,800 hours of happiness at work -- taking the bad with the good -- could make 2012 really notable. Consider what you could look forward to. "Gratitude helps people feel more positive emotions, relish good experiences, improve their health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships."
Happy 2012!!! And thanks so much for supporting the Compensation Cafe. It's really fun to think that our interesting, experienced colleagues want to hear about our thoughts and ideas. Really fun!
Margaret O'Hanlon is founder and principal of re:Think Consulting. She has decades of experience teaming up with clients to ensure great Human Resource ideas deliver valuable business results. Margaret brings deep expertise in total rewards communications and change management to the dialog at the Café. Before founding re:Think Consulting, she was a Principal in Total Rewards Communications and Change Management with Towers Perrin. Margaret is a member of the Board of Directors of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC), Pacific Plains Region. She earned her M.S. and Ed.S. in Instructional Technology at Indiana University. Creative writing is one of her outside passions, along with Masters Swimming.
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