As the owner of a business, you know about the compressed deadlines, the inventory shortages, and the seven and a half day work week. You are realizing success, but what was once an exciting and fun adventure into the world of business has almost become an experience you would trade for some down time. The problem is compounded by the fact that your employees are noticing the frustration and weariness all around.
Here are six happy habits you can acquire that will change your perspective and be contagious throughout the company.
1) Remember Where You Came From
When you started the business you were either transitioning from a 9 to 5 grind or were looking to make your mark in the world. You were optimistic and enthusiastic about the future. You have realized success, so pause to see how far you have come and reach back for some of that optimism.
2) Smile.
You have heard this a thousand times, but finding a reason to smile truly is a good idea. You can look for the positive things in your life before you get to work. Smile at your children. Smile at your spouse. Instead of walking straight to your car, stop and look at what the day has brought to your life from the start. Smile knowing that while problems may await, you have the competence and the right people to end the day having accomplished many goals.
3) Take Care Of Yourself Physically And Mentally.
It is hard to be happy when you feel like a worn down tire ready to become a flat. Whether the source of stress is inside or outside the job, find time during the day to rest and recuperate mentally and physically. It can be a power nap, eating healthier, or scheduling the first half hour of the morning to de -stress by exercising or meditating.
4) Rethink Passing Along Blame.
The reason for this is that once you go down this road, the solutions to the problems that occur have been taken out of your hands – by you. As an owner, you should not be expected to tackle every problem, but on the other hand when people disappoint you remember they are allowed to make mistakes. You hired these people into their positions because you had confidence in their ability to do the job.
5) Avoid Being A Clock Watcher.
Everyone has those days where you are waiting for the day to end for one reason or another. So you work for what seems to be an hour and when you look at the clock 20 minutes have gone by. That is a great way to become unhappy on many levels very quickly. While you do have a schedule to keep and meetings to attend, maximize your use of technology and your personnel to alert you to upcoming meetings and events. Focus on your work instead of the clock.
6) Compartmentalize And Prioritize Problems.
This is probably the most important thing you can do to make yourself happy. If there is one way to transition from control to chaos it is to let all of your problems seep over their boundaries and invade the space of other problems. Some problems can wait, while some things that seem to be a problem actually are not, and will fade away by the end of the day. By ensuring that each problem has its own space and place, you will be able to control the situation, and increase your happiness quotient, rather than letting it control you.
Remember that happiness is not a forever state of mind, and needs to be recreated each day. The goal is to find a starting point and evaluate each day’s happiness quotient. If the trend is up ticking, you will find the days getting easier and work getting back to the days when it was an exhilarating challenge. Not perfect, but something to look forward to once again.
