Simple Recipe for Finding Happiness at Work.

Find your tribe; find your pride. I am simple guy, and it's as simple as that. Having switched jobs, roles, careers, and industries, these two principles are the common denominators when I look back at the moments in my past work where I was happiest and most fulfilled. I was surrounded by people who made me laugh and lifted me up and we were working on projects that I just could not wait to talk to people about. In contrast, I was least happy when I was surrounded by people I could not trust, working on things I personally did not believe in.

I just got back from a trip to London with a few colleagues. While we worked and accomplished more in a few days than I ever would have expected, we laughed even more. It was one of those situations where everything seemed to work in our favor -- uninterrupted travel, solid and productive meetings, decent weather, great food. It was also one of those situations where everything anyone said was as hilarious as ever -- and not because of the alcohol, if that's what you were thinking. As I think back as to why that may be, all I can surmise is that my guard was down and the real me was beginning to show. I was with my tribe. I could set aside paranoia about being misunderstood. I could say things without having to clarify them or worry about them being repeated later. I did not need to read into everything. These were people I could trust -- at work.

Yet, that was not all of it. The second part was the fact that all of us were passionate about the work we were there to do. We were in sync. The new initiatives we were launching made us giddy. Seeing positive customer reaction to them made us even giddier. All of us were supportive of each other. Titles did not matter.

It really is that simple. I have had this experience in toxic environments and found solace, and I am having this experience now and finding happiness. In both cases, having these two things together made me happy, regardless what the rest of the culture or environment was like. Having either one on its own did not. If I found a tribe and we were working on passionless endeavors, that bonding only caused us to complain more freely and readily. If I was working on an interesting project yet I was surrounded by people I could not trust, I would kill myself to succeed and do the work without feeling any personal gratification in the process. You really need to have both for this to work, and both are attainable.

If you find yourself in a rut, think about this simple recipe. You can find a tribe at any company, regardless of the environment. Simply find the one or two people you always want to spend time with. They likely exist around you. If not, then you probably should change your environment. It's not that hard to do. Then, find something you all want to do and do it. This does not have to be as big as your lifelong dream, but it should at least be directionally correct. It can be a simple project that you start or one that already exists.

When you have these two things, you'll enjoy work. It's really as simple as that. The noise and politics will mean less to you. You will have found purpose. You will be happy at work.