The Unusual Road to Happiness in the Workplace

By Sohail Zindani

Happiness at work! It's one of those phrases that makes some people roll their eyes and others breathe a sigh of relief. But let’s face it: happiness isn’t a luxury at work; it’s a necessity. And while happiness may seem elusive in the face of deadlines, deliverables, and unending to-do lists, it’s actually something we can cultivate, right where we are.

The Trap of "When I Get There"

Shawn Achor, the guy who studies happiness like it’s a science (because it is), would say we’ve got it backward. Most of us believe we’ll be happy once we achieve that goal, land that promotion, finish that big project. But what does Achor's research show? That chasing happiness like it’s on the other side of success is as effective as trying to chase a rainbow. Happiness, he says, isn’t a reward we get after we succeed; it’s fuel for success.

Here’s how he puts it: Happiness is a choice we make?now, and it rewires our brains to be more creative, more resilient, and ultimately, more successful. You want the team to deliver? Inspire them to choose happiness now, not “when we hit the quarterly target.” Because here’s the kicker: happiness now is productivity later.        

A Purpose Bigger than Pay Checks

Then there’s Simon Sinek, who suggests that purpose—a reason beyond pay checks and promotions—is the wellspring of happiness. Sinek’s idea of “Start With Why” isn’t just a lofty TED Talk mantra; it’s a game-changer in the workplace. People who know their “why”—who understand how their work contributes to a larger purpose—are more engaged, resilient, and yes, happier.

Now, before you panic and think, “Does everyone in our company need to have some profound life purpose?”, take a breath. This doesn’t mean everyone has to change the world single-handedly.         

Purpose can be small. It can be as simple as knowing that your work contributes to a team goal or as profound as seeing how your work helps make customers' lives better. Purpose isn’t about saving the world. It’s about finding your role in the bigger story.

Sadhguru on the Joy Within

Sadhguru, the mystic with a twist, takes an inward turn on happiness. His view? Happiness isn’t “out there” to be pursued. It’s an inside job. According to Sadhguru, we have a reservoir of joy within us, ready to be tapped into. The external stuff—titles, money, recognition—are just distractions. Happiness, he’d say, is about mastering the internal climate.

Think about it this way: what if happiness at work didn’t depend on getting something new but on cultivating a state of contentment with what’s already here?

Sadhguru encourages us to drop the baggage of comparison and unmet expectations and to experience joy in the everyday. Easier said than done? Maybe. But a simple shift from “What can work give me?” to “What can I bring to work?” can be radical.        

Making Happiness the New Normal

So, how do we bring these big ideas into our day-to-day? Here’s a quick roadmap to happiness, one that starts right at your desk:

1. Celebrate Small Wins: Big achievements are rare, but small victories happen daily. Recognize them. Celebrate them. Because, as Shawn Achor might say, our brains love those tiny jolts of positivity—they create a happiness feedback loop.
2. Know Your Why: Pause for a second and ask yourself: Why am I doing this? Don’t let “purpose” be a high-stakes, existential search. Keep it simple. Find a reason that connects to the bigger picture, as Simon Sinek would advise.
3. Choose Joy Now: Stop waiting for Friday, the next project, or that ideal job title. Happiness is a daily practice. Try a gratitude list, take a moment to breathe, or just do something that reminds you of the joy in this moment, Sadhguru style.

Happiness: Your Secret Advantage

Here’s the thing about happiness: it’s contagious. It makes us better at what we do, helps us connect with others, and propels our teams forward. And guess what? It’s not some elusive achievement reserved for the end of a project. It’s here, now, ready for the taking. Happiness isn’t just good for us individually; it’s a smart investment in a thriving workplace.

Imagine if we all walked in tomorrow, choosing happiness first, finding our “why,” and bringing joy to our work. Wouldn't that be something? Happiness isn’t something we wait for—it’s something we bring. And when we do, it just might change everything.