Don't worry, be happy - and more creative!
We tend to think that it is easy to find creative solutions and adapt to change, but the reality is often actually far from it. Job satisfaction, however, can be the key to unlocking the creative juices, as well as the full potential of your mind.
The question is, how do you increase the positive atmosphere at work? Ami Hemviken, one of Sweden’s leading coaches in leadership, behavior and communication, shared her tips on increasing creativity through positive vibes.
It’s all about experiences
A significant factor in building a good work atmosphere is appreciation from managers. However, how co-workers and managers view your professional skills isn’t relevant in itself, but rather the experience itself.
Success in itself isn’t meaningful, it is the experience of succeeding with the team that creates happiness.
Not only does a positive atmosphere at work affect personal experiences, it can also affect the company’s success. Feeling happy at your workplace reduces both short and long-term absences from work, as well as overturn of staff.
If we feel well at work, we also become smarter as our brains function better when we’re happy.
The connection between brain functions and happiness has been researched in various different ways, even by examining brain functions that take place when people watch cat videos, while others watch a video of neglected animals.
After the test, both groups took a creativity test. What do you think the results were?
People who were amused and happy because of the cat videos came up with 7 times the amount of ideas in comparison with the people who saw negative videos.
This shows the immense power of positivity and happiness. Can you imagine there being a business that wouldn’t want their employees to come up with 7 times the creative ideas they usually have?
Don’t forget to celebrate success
It is important to take a minute to celebrate success, instead of just moving onto the next challenge. In addition, it is vital to set yourself enough concrete objectives, as it makes it easier to assess your own achievements.
We are great at setting objectives for ourselves. The challenge is monitoring development and celebrating success.
Millennials are especially concerned with the positive atmosphere and meaningfulness of their job. Every now and then, it is beneficial to stop and think about why you do what you do. What your role is and what the meaning of that role is to the company, and in an even larger scope, to society.
You should regularly remind yourself of your own objectives. This way, you can open your eyes to the positive sides of the job and feelings of success, which not only increase positivity, but also make you more creative and smart. Who knows, maybe the positivity will even catch on to others around you.