The Career Happiness Manifesto

Manifestos have gone out of style somewhat, I think. Marx really did a number on that whole genre.

But here's a manifesto that you can get behind: The Happy at Work Manifesto, by Alex Kjerulf. I heard about this over at ask the CareerCounselor, a  wonderful blog written by Devon Carlson, filled with all kinds of juicy "Help! What do I do in this situation?" Q&As.

So the manifesto, which I highly recommend printing out and keeping close by, is a powerful tool to help you keep a reasonably good attitude about your job.

It's not about being a Pollyanna, but about focusing on what happiness is anyway, what is going right, and what can be viewed from another, more positive, angle.

I was just talking to a friend about this yesterday - that our culture encourages and supports a lot of bitching and moaning in general. It's a badge of honor to be the one at the table with the most complaints, the worst boss, the biggest stress, and the least sleep. Happiness is out, right?

If enough of us work to escape the cycle of career cynicism, it just may catch on.

You might even say we could create a revolution. Wouldn't Karl be proud!

Heather Mundell
Dream Big Coaching Services
www.dreambigcoaching.com
heather@dreambigcoaching.com

Comments

[Working Girl]

Hey, I just discovered this blog! It's fab.

Thanks for the link to the Happiness Manifesto. Very cool.

[Rachel Whalley]

I love it, Heather! Thanks for the reference. I will be promoting the Happiness Manifesto on my blog soon, too. That's my way of contributing to happiness at work. I love my job and absolutely want to help more people love theirs!

You have great referrals to information and I appreciate getting to know them through you.

[Heather Mundell]

I agree - this manifesto was a good find!

[Anita Bruzzese]

It's interesting I came across this post when I made the decision last night at 7 p.m. that I was going to stop, and I mean, STOP driving myself crazy with things I could not control. Just by making that one decision I became more content...I've stayed away from people and things that tend to make me angry or depressed on a daily basis. So far, this is the best Monday morning I've had in a year.
Anita Bruzzese
www.45things.com

I think even just realizing, "This situation makes me anxious" and then deciding to do what we can to avoid it, can get rid of a lot of angst. Second to that is looking at the situation we may have to put up with from a new angle or a new commitment not to get as "hooked in". Glad you're having a good Monday!