Dear happy people from Mærsk Tankers

I was a true pleasure meeting you on Tuesday, May 31st. I always love sharing my views – and facts – about  how to be happy, beat procrastination and get more done.

This page contains my presentation, written Tips&Tricks, a link to my free e-book, videos, newsletter etc., to help you create even more happiness in your day and your projects. Remember: Happiness at work does not come from a two-year plan, but from the acts you preform today and tomorrow.

Download the presentation

If you want the presentation I used, you can download my Productive and Happy presentation.

Free eBook on happiness at work

Get The Happy Dozen ebook by signing up here:

The newsletter comes our once or twice every quarter, and you can leave with a click. Oh, and I did mention launching a podcast – look here:

Subscribe to The HappyWays Podcast

The podcast launched late January 2016 and every Wednesday there’s a new episode out. As mentiones, I do encourage your to get the episode “Why I hate email”. Go here for a full list of episodes and subscribe options. You can also use these buttons to subscribe directly on your smartphone, via iTunes (for Apple devices) or Stitcher (on Android):

podcast om ledelse, arbejdsglæde og personlig udvikling

podcast om personlig udvikling, ledelse og arbejsglæde

The Pomodoro Technique

If you want a brief introduction to the method, this short video explain it.
For the Tomighty app on the computer, go here. For the app on your phone, just search Pomodoro in the app store.

Basic tips and exercises

A seminar is one thing – creating change is something more. That’s why I have collected some wery simple-to-do but effective tools, leaving you no excuse not to get started :o)

Connect with a fine “Good Morning”

You remember us practicing how to create good relationships from the morning forward. It’s all about:

  • Getting eye contact
  • Saying Good Morning!
  • Adding something extra, a friendly comment or question
  • Adding a touch

Praise and recognition

Being recognized for what we do well is a basic human need, and a source of inner motivation and happiness. There a many ways of getting at it:

  • Express it face to face. Be specific, and leave out any suggestions for improvement at this time.
  • Write it down. In an email, on a note, or maybe on the card that comes with the flowers.
  • Spread the word. Tell everyone in a meeting, in an email to the entire team, or pop into every office with a positive story about a fellow team-mate.
  • Give ’em a High Five, and say “Well Done!!”. It’s quick, easy, visible, effective and fun :o)

Most important: Be yourself, no matter what you do. But do something.

Talk about more that just the job

Leaders and co-workers alike have a need to know each other well, as human beings, not just human doings. That’s why I recommend the simple measure of taking time to talk about “all the other stuff”, at lunch or at random times during the day. Make it a priority to have at least one small conversation each day that is not work-related. Also on busy days. Especially on busy days.

Be happy, and let is show

How does professional look like? Many would say intense, with a straight, serious face, at times bordering on upset. Nonsense!  There is nothing wrong with being really happy at work, smiling and taking the job, deadlines etc. seriously.  And since you actually do far better at work when you are happy, it also makes a whole lot of sense. Practice it, maybe even in front of the mirror  :o)

Celebrate your successes

When you or your team succeed, do you then celebrate or quickly move on the the next bit? Make a habit of celebrating milestones conquered, results achieved and problems overcome. It can be grand, with dinner and champagne, or it can be light and simple: Gather everyone in a circle, applaud one another and give specific praise to the heroes of the day. You cannot pospone without a loss of effect, so do it now.

Focus on the positive

All of us are prone to what psychologists call Negativity Bias. We spot the mistakes easily enough, and tend to remember bad experiences more readily than the goo ones. The way out is actively focusing on the bright side. Ask yourself, before you leave work:

What were the good things today?

Be specific about it, and find at least three things. Brain researchers have documented that writing stuff down makes them appear more true to us, so jot these down every day – it will change your outlook and the mood you bring home with you.

Random Acts of Kindness

You can really do something for the people around you be surprising them in a good way. It doesn’t have to be someting grand – a cup of coffee at the right time, a door held open or an offer for help in a tight spot, all can save the day. Positive surprises trigger the release of dopamine, and we like that – it helps make us happy.

Videos on happiness at work

My own TEDx talk from London:

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Here is a very happy and playful steward with Southwest Airlines, who does the rap:

[youtube tnOxvbGOTbM]

Regarding acts of kindness to make others happy, here is Mukhtar, surprised on his birthday:
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Now, go make your workday a happy one

Have a fantastic day!

/Jon Kjær Nielsen :o)

Speaker, Author, M.Sc.