Workplace Happiness

“Work hard and success will follow.”

It’s advice we’ve heard our entire lives, parents, teachers, coaches and mentors. 

But have you ever noticed what’s missing from that formula? Happiness.

Like many people, you may have assumed success and happiness go hand in hand; that if you achieve one, the other will naturally follow. So, you put in the work and waited for both to arrive. Along the way, you may have noticed something surprising: some of the people around you seemed genuinely happy in their jobs. And when you looked closer, they weren’t just happier, they were often more successful, too.

What do they know that you don’t?

“They know that the secret ingredient for success is happiness,” says Keri Forbess-McCorquodale, MS, CEAP, LPC-S, LMFT, president of Solutions Counseling & EAP. “It’s not the other way around. You can’t work your way to happiness if you’re miserable every day. Talent and hard work can only take you so far. The people who are most successful long-term are those who enjoy what they do. They find joy in their work, so they naturally work harder, which leads to greater success.”

Research in neuroscience supports this idea. Studies show our brains are more engaged, creative, productive and resilient when we’re in a positive state. Yet a Gallup poll reveals that up to 70% of U.S. employees feel disengaged at work. That means only 30% are truly committed, while the majority are simply going through the motions. The cost of that disengagement is significant, with more than $550 billion lost each year in productivity.

The good news is that both employers and employees can take steps to improve workplace happiness. Forbess-McCorquodale says research has repeatedly found that the habits of happy employees are surprisingly simple.

One shift is changing how you view challenges. Replacing the word “problem” with “challenge” reframes situations as opportunities to grow and showcase your skills. Starting the day with positive, intentional questions, like what you’re looking forward to or grateful for, can also set the tone for a more productive mindset.

Breaking out of routine is another powerful tool. Small changes, like taking a different route to work or adjusting your morning habits, can stimulate creativity and improve mood. Arriving a bit earlier can reduce stress and help you start the day with a sense of control.

Finally, be mindful of your environment. Limiting time around negative influences and surrounding yourself with positive people can have a meaningful impact on your outlook.

“There’s no doubt that happy people are better workers,” Forbess-McCorquodale says. “They’re more engaged, more productive and more fulfilled—not just at work, but at home as well.”

Happiness isn’t the reward for success. It’s the foundation of it.