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HOW TO BE HAPPY AT HOW TO BE HAPPY AT WORK PLACEWORK PLACE

By GRK MurtyBy GRK Murty

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HINTS:HINTS:

Have a right state of ‘Mind’Have a right state of ‘Mind’ Keep yourself ‘Physically fit’Keep yourself ‘Physically fit’ Have control over ‘Time’Have control over ‘Time’ Cultivate ‘Hope’Cultivate ‘Hope’ Build a network of ‘Friends’Build a network of ‘Friends’ Shun ‘Workholism’Shun ‘Workholism’ Balance your ‘Activities’Balance your ‘Activities’

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RIGHT STATE OF MINDRIGHT STATE OF MIND

1. 1. Execute your role just as a childExecute your role just as a child:: A child plays a game for the sake of play, A child plays a game for the sake of play,

enjoys the best of both the worlds. A child enjoys the best of both the worlds. A child transform common places into the priceless. transform common places into the priceless. We often watch children ‘being alive to the We often watch children ‘being alive to the moment’ and display fresh quality of moment’ and display fresh quality of freedom, of “letting themselves go”, freedom, of “letting themselves go”, instinctively realize that happiness is more instinctively realize that happiness is more when one is being spontaneous. So, when one is being spontaneous. So, cultivate that spontaneity and an air of cultivate that spontaneity and an air of freshness charged with a gay abandon and freshness charged with a gay abandon and Learn to just enjoy the work.Learn to just enjoy the work.

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Right State of Mind Right State of Mind (contd..)(contd..)

2.2. Overcome your frailtiesOvercome your frailties::

Those who are unhappy, never hold Those who are unhappy, never hold themselves responsible for their themselves responsible for their condition, but instead blame their condition, but instead blame their jobs, marriages or the cruelty of fate, jobs, marriages or the cruelty of fate, and are destined to be frustrated and and are destined to be frustrated and confused. So, one needs to achieve a confused. So, one needs to achieve a fair measure of harmony with oneself fair measure of harmony with oneself and one’s family circle. i.e., affection and one’s family circle. i.e., affection and understanding of the family.and understanding of the family.

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Right State of Mind (contd..)Right State of Mind (contd..)

3.3. Sharpen your wits:Sharpen your wits:

Observe man and nature and realise that the Observe man and nature and realise that the seat of happiness rests in the unique seat of happiness rests in the unique strength and beauty within all living things.strength and beauty within all living things.

a. Behave with others as you would a. Behave with others as you would with yourself.with yourself.

b. Believe all are your soul-mates and love b. Believe all are your soul-mates and love them all alike – you will never feel them all alike – you will never feel

lonely.lonely.

c. Cultivate the quality of forgiveness, c. Cultivate the quality of forgiveness, compassion and service – you will be lovable compassion and service – you will be lovable

in the eyes of all.in the eyes of all.

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Right State of Mind Right State of Mind (contd..)(contd..)

4.4. Cultivate right frame of mind:Cultivate right frame of mind:

a. Never ever resort to airing feverish, a. Never ever resort to airing feverish, selfish selfish cluster of ailments and cluster of ailments and grievances – this puts grievances – this puts off living happily off living happily today.today.

b. Have purity of mind in thought, word and b. Have purity of mind in thought, word and action action – achieve excellence at work.– achieve excellence at work.

Such a mindset spontaneously give rise to Such a mindset spontaneously give rise to devotion that is indispensable to achieve devotion that is indispensable to achieve any success, of which quality of life is a any success, of which quality of life is a natural follower.natural follower.

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KEEP YOURSELF PHYSICALLY FITKEEP YOURSELF PHYSICALLY FIT

1.1. Good health is a source of happiness:Good health is a source of happiness:

a. Ill health can lead to mental a. Ill health can lead to mental disturbances and even disturbances and even

depression – depression – disables a person from disables a person from pursuing pursuing personal goals. personal goals.

b. Poor health disturbs the whole b. Poor health disturbs the whole family family – increases the medical – increases the medical expenses expenses and and inflicts financial inflicts financial constraints.constraints.

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KEEP YOURSELF PHYSICALLY FIT (contd…)KEEP YOURSELF PHYSICALLY FIT (contd…)

2.2. Sound Health:Sound Health:

a. Enables you to concentrate on your a. Enables you to concentrate on your work and perform duties efficiently.work and perform duties efficiently.

b. It improves the quality of life.b. It improves the quality of life.

c. Good habits such as timely food, c. Good habits such as timely food, sleep, exercise and work play a vital sleep, exercise and work play a vital part in maintaining sound health.part in maintaining sound health.

d. Overindulgence in sensual d. Overindulgence in sensual pleasures pleasures deprives one of the deprives one of the required focus on a required focus on a target and target and accomplishing it.accomplishing it.

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KEEP YOURSELF PHYSICALLY FIT (contd…)KEEP YOURSELF PHYSICALLY FIT (contd…)

3.3. Exercise regularly:Exercise regularly:

a. Exercise raises the levels of a. Exercise raises the levels of endorphins which are known to endorphins which are known to

cause cause a feel of euphoria. a feel of euphoria.

b. It generates a feeling of well-being b. It generates a feeling of well-being that gives a boost to productivity. that gives a boost to productivity.

c. It enables a person to think fast, c. It enables a person to think fast, bolsters energy – in turn elevates bolsters energy – in turn elevates one’s productivity. one’s productivity.

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KEEP YOURSELF PHYSICALLY FIT (contd…)KEEP YOURSELF PHYSICALLY FIT (contd…)

4.4. Learn to like the work:Learn to like the work:a. If you do not like the work, you may a. If you do not like the work, you may

encounter a monotonous encounter a monotonous repetition of repetition of unpleasant emotions at unpleasant emotions at workplace – this workplace – this may may lead to lead to emotionally induced illness.emotionally induced illness.b. If you like the job and feel pleased b. If you like the job and feel pleased with with your output, you will your output, you will experience pleasant experience pleasant emotions. emotions.c. Realise that liking work is a good c. Realise that liking work is a good

therapy for emotional ills. therapy for emotional ills.

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HAVE CONTROL OVER TIMEHAVE CONTROL OVER TIME

Most of the people take a random walk Most of the people take a random walk through life, moving without getting through life, moving without getting anywhere. Yet, some of the world’s anywhere. Yet, some of the world’s busiest executives are able to develop busiest executives are able to develop rewarding careers while making time rewarding careers while making time available for the family and leisure available for the family and leisure activities. Pick up the following tips to activities. Pick up the following tips to manage your time effectively, gainfully manage your time effectively, gainfully and meaningfully too.and meaningfully too.

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HAVE CONTROL OVER TIME HAVE CONTROL OVER TIME (contd…)(contd…)

1.1. Use high efficiency hours effectively:Use high efficiency hours effectively:a. Normal body temperature varies by around 3 a. Normal body temperature varies by around 3 deg deg during the day and it increases or decreases during the day and it increases or decreases

the the working efficiency proportionately.working efficiency proportionately.b. People tend to be most alert in late morning and b. People tend to be most alert in late morning and

mid-evening, while afternoons are known to mid-evening, while afternoons are known to induce induce sleep.sleep.c. Successful executives use the high-efficiency c. Successful executives use the high-efficiency hours hours to tackle difficult jobs, for creative to tackle difficult jobs, for creative thinking or thinking or creative pursuits.creative pursuits.d. Allocate low efficiency hours for less important d. Allocate low efficiency hours for less important

works such as to take a peep at the day’s works such as to take a peep at the day’s mail, mail, browsing internet, reading news paper etc.browsing internet, reading news paper etc.e. Entertaining unexpected drop-ins result in loss of e. Entertaining unexpected drop-ins result in loss of high high efficiency hours – Manage these by efficiency hours – Manage these by scheduling during scheduling during less efficiency periods. less efficiency periods. Similarly plan your telephone Similarly plan your telephone calls, both calls, both regarding time and matter to be spoken.regarding time and matter to be spoken.

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HAVE CONTROL OVER TIME (contd…)HAVE CONTROL OVER TIME (contd…)

2.2. Draw a road map:Draw a road map:a. While you drive to an unfamiliar a. While you drive to an unfamiliar place place with a road map, you save lot with a road map, you save lot of time, of time, besides increasing your besides increasing your efficiency efficiency levels. Similarly, you levels. Similarly, you scribble works to scribble works to be executed each be executed each new day.new day.b. The listed works should include b. The listed works should include both both work-related and house hold work-related and house hold tasks, to tasks, to be ranked according to be ranked according to its urgency / its urgency / importance – This paves importance – This paves way for easy way for easy execution of jobs.execution of jobs.

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HAVE CONTROL OVER TIME (contd…)HAVE CONTROL OVER TIME (contd…)

3.3. Do not push yourself relentlessly:Do not push yourself relentlessly:a. Make best use of the time without a. Make best use of the time without pushing pushing yourself relentlessly. yourself relentlessly.b. Try to get re-energised by taking a b. Try to get re-energised by taking a break or break or a catnap. Few minutes of a catnap. Few minutes of relaxation can relaxation can also also be had by be had by alternate shallow and deep alternate shallow and deep breathing. breathing.c. Breaking up your routine once in a c. Breaking up your routine once in a while while certainly helps you to work certainly helps you to work faster and faster and better. better.d. Well managed day leads to stress-free d. Well managed day leads to stress-free

execution of work and adds to execution of work and adds to quality of life.quality of life.

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CULTIVATE HOPECULTIVATE HOPE

1.1. Hope – the vital spark of life.Hope – the vital spark of life.a. No one can survive without hope.a. No one can survive without hope.b. Hope is sole driving force behind b. Hope is sole driving force behind mankind’s mankind’s dreaming, planning and dreaming, planning and its very existence.its very existence.c. Merry heart doth good like medicine.c. Merry heart doth good like medicine.d. Hope though natural and vital for d. Hope though natural and vital for mankind, mankind, could as well get exhausted, could as well get exhausted, as our lives as our lives grow. grow.e. Regain hope by summoning it, like e. Regain hope by summoning it, like looking looking forward to the beauty of the forward to the beauty of the next hour, next hour, promise of a good meal, promise of a good meal, a rise in pay a rise in pay cheque etc. cheque etc.

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CULTIVATE HOPE (contd…)CULTIVATE HOPE (contd…)

2.2. Positive orientation:Positive orientation:a. This gets nurtured towards work and a. This gets nurtured towards work and life life since hope is a frame of mind or a since hope is a frame of mind or a

climate of climate of heart.heart.b. This transforms the given labour into b. This transforms the given labour into an an entity of love and to that extent entity of love and to that extent

enhancement enhancement of performance.of performance.c. It enables one to fight against odds c. It enables one to fight against odds and and realise one’s potential. realise one’s potential.d. Average people strengthened by faith d. Average people strengthened by faith do do perform extraordinary deeds. perform extraordinary deeds.e. Hope strengthens our ability to e. Hope strengthens our ability to execute a execute a given task excellently. given task excellently.

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BUILD A NETWORK OF FRIENDSBUILD A NETWORK OF FRIENDS1.1. Having many friends.Having many friends.

a. Lucky people are those who have many a. Lucky people are those who have many friends and acquaintances. friends and acquaintances.

b. Many job offers mostly materialised out b. Many job offers mostly materialised out of of those acquaintances. those acquaintances.

c. These lucky people are reported to be c. These lucky people are reported to be gregarious and go out of the gregarious and go out of the

way in making way in making friendships. friendships.

d. A big network of friends affords a sense d. A big network of friends affords a sense of of social security besides enriching social security besides enriching one’s life.one’s life.

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BUILD A NETWORK OF FRIENDS BUILD A NETWORK OF FRIENDS (contd…)(contd…)

2.2. Cultivating traits of building a networkCultivating traits of building a network::a. Some initiate friendly contacts by making use a. Some initiate friendly contacts by making use of of their facial expressions, body positions, their facial expressions, body positions, voice tones, voice tones, work-choice, eye contact etc. work-choice, eye contact etc. in right proportions in right proportions and build excellent and build excellent network of friends.network of friends.b. They can easily slip into conversation with a b. They can easily slip into conversation with a stranger in the next seat and can converse with stranger in the next seat and can converse with him him as though they know him for ages.as though they know him for ages.c. Cheerful conversation is also important in c. Cheerful conversation is also important in family life family life for it can keep many of the neurotic for it can keep many of the neurotic illnesses at a illnesses at a distance.distance.A person who could build up a fine network of A person who could build up a fine network of friends can obviously make the family meal a friends can obviously make the family meal a recitation of joy and delight.recitation of joy and delight.

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SHUN WORKAHOLISMSHUN WORKAHOLISM1.1. Workaholism is a disease:Workaholism is a disease:

a. Workaholics also known as perfectionists, mean a. Workaholics also known as perfectionists, mean they they keep doing the same thing again and again.keep doing the same thing again and again.b. They tend to expect the same level of perfection b. They tend to expect the same level of perfection from from their colleagues and this makes them hard to their colleagues and this makes them hard to get along get along with.with.c. Do not set a pace that others often find too daunting c. Do not set a pace that others often find too daunting

and not worth following.and not worth following.d. Workaholics feel restless and irritable at the very d. Workaholics feel restless and irritable at the very thought of wasting time at workplace.thought of wasting time at workplace.e. This disease not only inflicts physical weakness but e. This disease not only inflicts physical weakness but

also destroys one’s ability to give and receive also destroys one’s ability to give and receive affection.affection.f. It blocks one’s creative expressions and personal f. It blocks one’s creative expressions and personal growth.growth.g. It can result in stress related disorders, such as g. It can result in stress related disorders, such as coronary heart disease, hypertension, peptic ulcers coronary heart disease, hypertension, peptic ulcers etc., and sometimes depression.etc., and sometimes depression.

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BALANCE YOUR ACTIVITIESBALANCE YOUR ACTIVITIES1.1. Do not crowd your activities:Do not crowd your activities:

a. No single activity should crowd out others or be a. No single activity should crowd out others or be under-under- represented.represented.b. To accomplish this task, you may apportion a b. To accomplish this task, you may apportion a certain certain percentage to each activity according to percentage to each activity according to its importance: its importance:

eg., Work; Family; Friends; Spirituality; Sports; eg., Work; Family; Friends; Spirituality; Sports; Health Health clubs; Food & Diet; Leisure time; Civic clubs; Food & Diet; Leisure time; Civic duties; Self duties; Self development; Recreation travel; development; Recreation travel; Business travel; Business travel; Others.Others.c. Change the level of importance whenever it has c. Change the level of importance whenever it has to to undergo change according to the needs, since undergo change according to the needs, since this has this has to be treated as a mere guideline and to be treated as a mere guideline and not a rigid one.not a rigid one.d. This gives a certain direction to the brain and a d. This gives a certain direction to the brain and a vision vision to succeed in enjoying ‘quality life’.to succeed in enjoying ‘quality life’.

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BALANCE YOUR ACTIVITIES (contd…)BALANCE YOUR ACTIVITIES (contd…)

One must understand that One must understand that ‘Happiness’ is not on sale to buy and ‘Happiness’ is not on sale to buy and consume it. It has to be experienced. consume it. It has to be experienced. No one knows from where it No one knows from where it emanates, as each has his own emanates, as each has his own perception of happiness. No seer or perception of happiness. No seer or philosopher can explain the secret of philosopher can explain the secret of life fully and it always remains new, life fully and it always remains new, to be understood by us, to be to be understood by us, to be realised anew everyday.realised anew everyday.

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“ “ THANK YOU”THANK YOU”

THIS IS AN EXTRACT FROM THE BOOK “SOFT SKILLS FOR SUCCESS” THIS IS AN EXTRACT FROM THE BOOK “SOFT SKILLS FOR SUCCESS”

BY MR. GRK MURTY AND PUBLISHED BY THE ICFAI UNIVERSITY PRESS. BY MR. GRK MURTY AND PUBLISHED BY THE ICFAI UNIVERSITY PRESS.

WEB SITE: WEB SITE: www.icfaipress.org/bookswww.icfaipress.org/books