Synopses & Reviews
Even in a challenging economy, more and more workers report dissatisfaction with their work life and frustration that they arent contributing more to the world and feeling better about doing it. In recent years numerous studies about happiness and fulfillment in the workplace report dismal numbers when it comes to employee happiness. A 2012 Gallup poll reported employee disengagement in U.S. companies to be as high as 70 percent, costing businesses more than $550 billion a year in lost productivity.
Jim Donovan, a small business owner, consultant, and speaker, has offered workplace advice to employers and employees for 25 years. He considers himself a happiness expert” because he has helped thousands of workers discover ways to make their work more fulfilling and enjoyable without changing jobs or even getting a raise. In the tradition of such inspirational writers as Richard Carlson, Jim offers 60 simple tips that will help anyone discover the reasons they took the job in the first place and increase their levels of productivity and fulfillment.
Each of the short chapters in this book offers a pithy instruction”, some simple, some more complicated, such as break your patterns”; become a value finder”; focus on what is working”; dont gossip”; and arrive at work early.” The chapter goes on to explain the reasons behind these attitude and behavior adjustments and examples from the workplace of how these small changes can lead to big changes. According to Jim, being happy at work (or anywhere) requires you to take control over your thoughts and emotions, begin to define what it is you want, and follow some time-tested principles for a more successful life. Each entry suggests ways workers can take charge of their feelings and emotions and develop strategies to become more engaged, fulfilled, and productive both at work and in their personal lives.
Each chapter in Happy @ Work is designed to stand on its own, containing a single idea that readers can embellish upon and integrate into their daily lives. Throughout this book readers will learn simple, practical, easily implemented ideas and techniques to feel better about themselves and their work. These are actionable ideas that can help anyone move toward advancing their career and creating their most amazing life.
Review
Praise for
Handbook to a Happier Life:"Great! . . . Should be a part of everyones self-help library." Jack Canfield, coauthor of Chicken Soup for the Soul
Review
Drink in a chapter of this book every morning along with your cup of coffee to get your day and your life going. Jim Donovan has distilled the best tools from the top motivational speakers and put them in an easy, Hey, I can do this! format. Its like having a mentor on your shoulder showing you how to improve your life every day.”
— Patti Wood, motivational speaker and author of SNAP: Making the Most of First Impressions, Body Language and Charisma
Praise for Jim Donovans Handbook to a Happier Life:
"Great! . . . Should be a part of everyones self-help library."
Jack Canfield, coauthor of Chicken Soup for the Soul
Synopsis
Reap the rewards of a job well and happily doneEven in a tight economy, job satisfaction isnt a luxury; fulfilled, happy employees are productive, innovative, and loyal. And workplace fulfillment spills over into happier families and better communities. Jim Donovan, a small-business owner, consultant, and speaker, has worked with employees and employers for twenty-five years. In that time he has tested and honed these shift-producing strategies on everything from managing time, making decisions, and marking milestones to breaking patterns, bouncing back, and becoming exceptional. Each tips method and rationale are clearly explained. Real workplace vignettes demonstrate the benefits and results that can be gleaned from simple shifts and actions. These tools will empower you with the knowledge that no matter the circumstance, you can think, act, and feel in ways that create purpose, success, and, yes, happiness.
About the Author
Jim Donovan is a business owner, inspirational speaker, and business coach. Jims articles have appeared in numerous print and digital magazines and he is a frequent media guest and expert source on personal development. With several of his books published in more than twenty countries and eighteen years as a speaker and coach, Jim Donovan is a recognized authority in the personal development field. His coaching programs blend universal spiritual laws with proven business and success principles and are designed to produce extraordinary results. He has published an online ezine since 1992 and lives with his wife near Philadelphia.
Table of Contents
Table of ContentsIntroduction
1. Reward Yourself and Others
2. Put your problems to work for you
3. Break your patterns
4. Become curious
5. Know your purpose
6. Advance confidently in the direction of your dreams
7. Making your dreams come true
8. Become a goal setter
9. Do your goals scare you?
10. Milestones and actions
11. Take only inspired action
12. Align with your values
13. Learn to manage your time
14. Ask a bigger question
15. Arrive to work early
16. Master your energy
17. Commit to life long learning
18. Become a value finder
19. Dont be afraid to speak your mind
20. Dress for success
21. Dont wait to be told what to do
22. Always focus on what is working
23. Dealing with difficult people
24. Make decisions quickly
25. Motion equals emotion
26. How happy are you?
27. Be exceptional
28. Make a habit of drinking water
29. Dont gossip
30. Take ownership of your work
31. Are your habits supporting you?
32. Whatsoever you believe
33. Read personal development regularly
34. This, too shall pass
35. Tell a different story
36. Model the success you desire
37. What does success mean to you?
38. The question business people never ask
39. Lesson from legends
40. Today is Someday,” what will you do?
41. Are you feeling confused?
42. Putting the excitement back in your job
43. Remove the obstacles that block your success
44. Were all salespeople
45. Bouncing back
46. Think like an owner even if youre not
47. Promote your company
48. Make dull tasks fun
49. Be authentically you
50. Change your actions, change your life
51. Practice gratitude
52. Thoughts and feelings
53. Music is a world within itself
54. See the big picture
55. Develop meaningful friendships at work
56. What do you intend?
57. Avoid energy zappers
58. Take charge of your emotions
59. Money is a measure of your service
60. Live in the present
61. Get up and start moving
Conclusion
About the author