Embrace Success, Gain Happiness

When was the last time you completed a project and took the time to appreciate and be proud of your work? My guess is that it’s been a while, or at least a very fleeting moment of gratitude. Within our American work culture, we often fall into the trap of rushing from one task to the next, without pause. And when we do get a moment or two for reflection, we ask ourselves, or our teammates, what could’ve been better. This practice has given way to an atmosphere were self-care and mindfulness is hard to maintain. This results in burnout points being reached faster, spikes in anxiety and depression, and thus consequential impacts on physical health.

It is beneficial to understand where we can improve, and to recognize and celebrate our successes. We can and should be grateful for ourselves and the hard work we do! This post explores the positive impacts that come from celebrating moments of progress, leading you to a more productive, and happy, work-life experience.

The University of Utah, in 2021 published a fascinating article about the ways in which gratitude can change the brain and make people actively happier. As explored in this TKK post, the legal industry is plagued with high rates of depression and anxiety, among other mental health considerations, making this an important concept to explore. When we practice gratitude, in appreciation to ourselves, others, or the world around us, we develop emotions that boost our “feelings of pleasure and contentment (Stowe).” Kristin Francis, one of the MD’s that was interviewed for the article, explains these findings. She states that levels of “dopamine and serotonin,” the natural chemicals which enhance a person’s mood when released within the brain, are boosted by the practice of gratitude (Stowe). These chemicals also influence Cortisol levels (the compound that creates the stress response within the body) by reducing its release, and with it, anxiety. Furthermore, a daily routine that includes making time to be grateful will create more oxytocin within the body, leading to happier days. While this is commonly known as the love hormone, it also has an impact on blood pressure, vessels, and the functionality of the heart, “[resulting] in a longer and healthier life (Stowe).”

Taking time to appreciate little accomplishments throughout the day is a form of practicing gratitude. By celebrating your work and progress, you unlock all these amazing benefits! This can be done in many ways, and you can try them all to figure out what feels best and works for you. One way I practice gratitude is once I am done with an assignment. I often write myself a little sticky note saying something like “I am so grateful I wrote clearly and with passion for so-and-so project/assignment.” Another practice I participate in for larger projects is a checklist. I will write out smaller goals and steps that will build up to the final project. The singular focus on each element helps me create quality work for each portion. When one section is complete, I will check it off, smile and congratulate myself in my head, or out loud. I then take a break, allowing the progress to sink in, before moving onto the next element on the list. This creates space for mindfulness and gratitude throughout the project. Below are more ways you can create gratitude while you make progress on your work:

• Make a list of a few things that you or a teammate did well that day – this is especially helpful on hard or stressful days.

• Create a learning/progress timeline – tracking how far you’ve come can help you recognize your accomplishments, big and small.

• Say thank you and complete acts of kindness– do I need to say more?

• Take a routine you complete daily at work, like checking your email, and include a grateful moment - for example sending a quick email of gratitude to a peer.

• You can explore more in this article from Forbes.

Celebrating accomplishments don’t have to remain internal or personal. When you verbalize your appreciation, you encourage others in the vicinity to look for the ways they’re proud of themselves too, expanding the impact. To take this further, you can highlight the successes of your team members and peers by congratulating them on a job well done. Complements in general go a long way in any interpersonal interaction and can bolster your relationships in work and personal spheres. This in turn helps to create a better culture and a more productive workspace. People work better and enjoy their jobs more when they feel supported, encouraged, and appreciated.

Not every complement is created equal, however. I have found that when you complement on characteristics that are inherent or vague, like niceness, being helpful or even that the individual has done a good job, they seem to fall flat or are denied by the receiver. To have a true positive impact on a peer’s outlook and day, it is helpful to notice something that the person has put effort and attention into. Being specific does this perfectly. See the following examples for ways you can engage with your peers in a precise and encouraging manner.

• “Hey Karen, I really like how you included that statement about Australian vs. American techniques within your section, it really emphasized the main point of our project “

• “Hey Bob, you spoke so clearly and with enthusiasm during your presentation, I could tell you’re passionate about this subject!”

• “Gloria, thank you for your notes on my memorandum, you helped me be more concise and convincing, I really appreciate it.”

I am so grateful you took time out of your day to read this post, and I appreciate you for making time to celebrate yourself and create more happiness in your life!

Thank you,

Kayla

Stay up to date and konnect with Kayla:

Instagram: @Kayla_Konnection

Pinterest: @kaylakonnection

Gmail: thekaylakonnection@gmail.com