The Meaning Of Work
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The science of happiness at work

"If you find a job you love, you'll never work again."
Winston Churchill

 

If 1/3 of my waking hours are to be spent at work, it's important I find a job that makes me happy.

Not buying the hippy mumbo jumbo that all I need is a grass skirt, good vibes and flowers in my hair, I turned to science for some answers. I discovered a new field of science called Positive Psychology. Here, happiness has been scrutinised in methodical studies. 

Here is what I learned...

 

Relationships and Happiness

Relationships

Relationships are the most important requirement for a happy life. Dr Tal Ben-Shahar told me:

“The number one predictor of happiness is quality time we spend with people we care about and who care about us.  In the workplace, relationships matter.  For example, the Gallup organization found that one of predictors of wellbeing and performance in the workplace is the answer to the question “Do you have a best friend at work?””

Dr John and Julie Gottman say that happy relationships are not all about agreement. The happiest relationships in fact feature regular disagreement. Disagreement fuels growth and deeper understanding of each other and of ourselves. They found that the happiest relationships have a 5:1 ratio between positive and negative interactions.

If good relationships are the most important indicator of happiness, I can draw two obvious conclusions when looking for my dream job. Firstly, given that such a significant portion of my life is spent at work, I should actively look for environments in which I can derive meaningful relationships. Secondly, I should make sure I have enough time and energy outside of work to invest in great personal relationships.
 

Summary:

  • Meaningful relationships are the most important indicator of happiness

  • The happiest relationships have a 5:1 ratio between positive and negative interactions

  • Time and effort should be dedicated to fostering strong relationships at work

  • Work should not take over so significantly that personal relationships suffer
Matthew Simmonds