Well I never imagined quoting comedian Ken Dodd when writing an ‘insightful’ new blog post. But here I am doing just that.
by Darren Caveney
Yes, the legendary Liverpudlian comedian, Ken Dodd, sang about happiness back in the 60s.
David Cameron kick-started a happiness survey in the UK during his tenure as prime minister. I’m not sure that made anyone happy!
But yes, happiness is something we all crave for.
Where is this one heading?
I’ve never read a self-help book (or a leadership book for that matter) in my life. It probably explains a lot 😄
I’m not dissing them but I’ve just never felt the need.
And guides on how to be happy sound a bit naff if I’m honest. I’m a simple man with simple needs and simple pleasures. I’m quite easily pleased to be honest.
So, when I saw the opening session at Comms Unplugged 2022 was entitled – Happiness at work - I wasn’t necessarily expecting to be totally bowled over by it.
How wrong I was.
The session was led by the excellent Chris Croft who raced through an hour’s worth of advice on how to be happy. Not just at work but outside of work too.
Some of it was common sense.
Some of it I’ve definitely done.
Some of it I have done without necessarily thinking through the happiness boosts they provided me with.
And some of it is now on my list to work harder at.
Chris shared very helpful reminder cards at the end of his session (pictured above) and I’ve read it back since the event.
They encouraged me to jot down a few thoughts on this important topic of being happy.
Here are five which jumped out to me…
1. Relationships – be ruthless, say no to toxic relationships
This one was absolutely the most important of all for me. After several years of a toxic working relationship in my life I took very definite steps to remove it. The relief and sheer joy was huge. Taking control and emptying it all into a bin was one of the most satisfying things I’ve done. Now I wasn’t unhappy in life overall as a result of this relationship but boy it took my happiness to a greater level when I was rid of it.
If you have a toxic relationship – whether at work or at home – do everything you can to remove it. Cut it out, you won’t look back.
2. Childish things – get a dog
Well this is a more recent one but the joy of getting a dog is huge*
Dogs are proven to reduce stress levels (also *)
And of course they boost an owner’s activity and exercise with the constant need for walks.
Dogs are just fun and they’re always pleased to see you. They’re always happy and that in turn makes us feel happy.
(*Less so when he ate part of my kitchen cupboards)
3. Saying No – life is short
It’s like I’d written this list myself as I read down each point.
Saying no to things you’d rather not do is a joy. Now I don’t mean necessarily all the work chores we have to do, although that would be nice sometimes too. I mean the things which are in our gift to avoid. That birthday party you really would rather not go to or the family reunion that you know will be hard work. Skip them. What’s the worst that can happen? Forget FOMO and embrace JOMO – the joy of missing out.
When I hit my mid 40s I just had this massive moment of clarity when I thought I’m not going to do things I don’t fancy with people I’m not actually that fussed about. Isn’t that a bit selfish? Maybe. But as Chris says, life is short. Instead do things you enjoy and with the people you like.
4. Reducing TV time
This will be a harder one for me to crack because I’m a bugger for a good TV show or movie. But I am determined to be more selective and spend more time exercising, reading and sleeping than gawping at a screen. It’s certainly one I’ll have to work harder at as it doesn’t come naturally not to watch something cool, especially as the darker nights draw in. But try I will.
5. Sleep and exercise – they make you happier
Now I like exercise and I do a decent amount. Could I do more? Obvs. And sleep – who doesn’t like a great night’s kip. But my sleep has been less good since, strangely, the first lockdown. I switched to decaf a year ago as caffeine is a known killer of good quality sleep. It’s helped a bit but I have found that my sleep has improved more actually by switching screens off earlier in the my evening routine (I wrote about this separately here)
So, again, I’ll have to work at this as it’s linked to reducing my TV time challenge but I know that it can play a large role in me sleeping more and better. And that will only add to my blooming happiness.
Sharing this made me happy too.
You can find out more about Chris’s work on his website here https://www.chriscroft.co.uk/
You can connect with him on Twitter at @chriscroft
And if you like the sound of his work you can buy his ‘Big book of happiness’ book here https://www.chriscroft.co.uk/product/the-big-book-of-happiness-print-edition/
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