How to build on your happiness and wellbeing at work in 2019

A fresh, shiny, new year feels full of promise yet sometimes it can be hard to tap into that when it seems like we are surrounded with change and uncertainty.

We are living in times of unprecedented change, complexity and competition. On an individual level we are faced with a huge overload of information, a lack of work-life balance and a lot of uncertainty when it comes to jobs and security.  Technology has given us tools to have much more freedom in our lives. Almost too much. We have unlimited choice as consumers, we order food that arrives in minutes, and we have access to billions of people all over the world. And yet…

I don’t believe we are very well-equipped when it comes to navigating our way through this chaotic existence. We do not develop the skills we need to thrive in today’s world from school, university or employer. We have all the information and knowledge we could possibly need at our fingertips and are, in many ways, so much better off than previous generations, yet there is a real lack of effectiveness when it comes to living our lives with purpose, passion, and happiness. What many people don’t realise is we have the ability and the capacity to do just that at our fingertips!

Lets take a look at the seven skills which, if you try to adopt them, will help you succeed, determine your strengths, and fulfil your potential so you can work towards being a little bit happier in 2019.

1. Adaptability

It’s more important than ever to be flexible, adaptable and agile, with plenty of resourcefulness and creativity to help you respond effectively to challenges and grab new opportunities. Being adaptable means you are far more able to handle uncertainty and risk without feeling overly vulnerable. So make sure 2019 is a year where you say “yes” to new things, to going out of your comfort zone and and “no” to allowing circumstances to dictate how you feel or how you act.

2. Critical thinking

Critical thinking and an open attitude is raw material for twenty-first century success! To challenge inbuilt assumptions, be willing to look at things from different angles, think outside the box, collaborate with others, clarify goals and find solutions. Problem-solving skills have never been so crucial. Being able to handle huge amounts of data effectively and come up with lots of creative ideas requires us to really sharpen our brains but also means giving our brains space to reflect and be creative – that means putting down your Smartphone regularly!

3. Empathy

This is the ability and capacity to really understand what someone else is experiencing and to walk a mile in their shoes. Why is empathy important? Because without it you will never have strong listening skills or the ability to respect others and really value your relationships. Everything you do is now more visible than ever. Managing and nurturing all your relationships well is a key skill and competence requiring focus and effort. You may not always get it right but building your empathy muscles will help you get it right most of the time. Build that muscle through the practice of mindfulness and reflection.

4. Integrity

As the speed of life has accelerated, so has the number of people who are neglecting to do the things that are expected of them, such as being on time for appointments, returning calls, and completing projects on time. Don’t be one of them! These may seem like small things but they are not. Throughout periods of intense change, be consistent – a harbour in the storm, so make sure 2019 is the year of keeping promises and honouring commitments.

5. Optimism

Knowing how to develop and keep a positive attitude, no matter what life throws at you is vital for being happy. The world is not divided into pessimists and optimists after all. We each have the capacity to be optimistic and passionate about life if we can just learn to breathe, relax and lean into being happy. You have the ability to generate and radiate good will and positive energy wherever you go and this will get you far. Make this year for creating your own happiness.

6. Proactivity

2019 may be the year you reinvent yourself and that is exciting! Seize your own fortune by looking for every opportunity to build your skills, create a portfolio career or start your own business. Being proactive is also about acting in the face of procrastination and responding, rather than reacting, to what is going on around you. More than anything it is about choosing to put your energy into the things you can control rather than those that you cannot.

7. Resilience

Resilience helps you to bounce back and respond at your best and you have higher levels of emotional stability as a result. Build your resilience muscle by making sure you look after yourself mentally, physically and spiritually and have a strong support network around you. Do take more risks and make mistakes – that is where all growth and learning happen.

If I were to ask you to reflect on your life experiences up until now, you would be able to identify many times when you have used and have applied each or all of the above skills. What we as humans tend to not do is focus on strengthening them but this can be done in day-to-day in small reflective steps. Doing so will develop your capacity and ability to thrive and be happy, do meaningful work and live a life full of purpose and happiness. Ask yourself: why not you and why not now?

This guest post was written by Emma-Sue Prince who is an inspirational soft skills and effective behaviours expert and author of ‘7 Skills for the Future’.