How to be happy at work
EAT A PROTEINRICH BREAKFAST DITCH YOUR WORK PERSONA HAVE AN F-OFF FUND START A SIDE PROJECT
Five women at the top of their career game tell Tamsin Crimmens how they enjoy the ride
WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU GET TO WORK AT 7AM, ARE THE LAST ONE TO LEAVE, BRING IN COOKIES EVERY FRIDAY, OFFER TO FINISH OTHER PEOPLE’S WORK FOR THEM AND STILL HAVEN’T HAD THAT PROMOTION? IT’S TIME FOR A NEW APPROACH – ONE WHERE HAPPINESS IS YOUR BOSS. WORK SMARTER, NOT HARDER.
SLEEP, EXERCISE AND SOCIALISE MORE. BEFORE YOU KNOW IT, YOU’LL BE LOOKING FORWARD TO MONDAY MORNING. TAMSIN CRIMMENS SPEAKS TO FIVE WOMEN WHO HAVE IT ALL WORKED OUT
How was your day? If it wasn’t that great, don’t despair that you need to pack it all in and start again. Based on the women I spoke to, those who dominate their careers from boardroom to army base, the formula for happiness depends a lot more on what you do outside of the office than in it. For Junior Doctor Storm Lonsdale, who encounters death on a regular basis working at a London A&E, switching off from work by going climbing or meeting friends for a drink is fundamental. Army Staff Sergeant Sara Canning feels like she can achieve anything at work by starting her day early with a run.
It goes without saying that enjoying the job itself is key. But if you want to start feeling better about your day come Monday morning, what’s clear is that preparing well both mentally and physically for your day ahead, and then allowing yourself time to kick back after work, leaves you in a far better position to confront work challenges.
Whether this inspires you to change career altogether or just set your alarm for an hour earlier, finding your own formula for happiness and success comes down to two things: self-knowledge, and trial and error.