Engaged & Happy @ Work …

Good afternoon dear reader & welcome to my world for another week. I have quoted Author & business writer Jeff Haden previously. He has suggested; “remarkable people are driven by something deeper & more personal than just a desire to do a good job”. I could not agree more. My daughter Brydie & I had the pleasure last night of attending the Nelson Tasman Chamber of Commerce Business Awards. This local event, which I have attended now over the last 19 years, is one of the very few opportunities when businesses can gather to celebrate success & not just for the entrants & winners.
 
It is always a splendid occasion & to see such a great sense of energy & optimism in the room. A growing sense of business culture, where companies growing in confidence, was evident. Last night in the venue there were a lot of passionate, determined & committed business people who are willing to realise this potential. It is these people & others like us who willingly endeavour to strengthen our economy.

George Bernard Shaw once said: “People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I do not believe in circumstances. The people who get ahead are those who get up & look for the circumstances they want, & if they cannot find them, they make them.” A farmer can plant anything he wants; the land does not care one way or the other. Suppose he plants both wheat & poisonous hemlock. The land will return poisonous hemlock as plentifully as it does wheat. Our minds are far more fertile, but the same principal applies. It does not care what type of seeds you plant; success or failure, good or evil, anxiety of peace ~ what you sow returns.

The business world is changing with a lot more people waking up to their true purpose. More & more people are focusing on their own message & process; getting to the core of why they wanted to get into business & help people in the first place.

Here are 3 reasons why refocusing on happiness can be valuable:

• It feels better & is healthier to let go of envy and embrace self-worth & confidence.
• Adopting an attitude of gratitude, positivity & purpose helps to add a focus on our mission & will drive success. Negativity, judgement, jealousy & pessimism will do the opposite.
• Being upset paralyzes you & prevents success. There are more important (& way more effective) things to do than be upset & stuck worrying about what others may or may not be doing. Every minute you waste takes away from the time you could be spending on your own dreams.

1. It is important to keep a positive work environment. If you have upset other people or other people have upset you ~ sort it out with the other person so you do not get a chip on your shoulder. If things are not working out, talk to someone, anyone.
2. Celebrate success. Celebrating success both within & outside your business or company is hugely valuable; there is a saying: success breeds success & our Nelson Tasman Chamber of Commerce epitomises this very concept.
3. Stay optimistic & plan for the future. Happiness does not just happen; it requires optimistic energy & smart planning. Thinking about your longer-term goals today. 1