Deri's Blogs

Get Groovy!

‘It’s easy for you to be happy at work – you have a great job!” ?Jerry meant what he said. Somehow happiness was out of his reach, he believed. ?And, he seemed to think, the kind of job you have is related to your happiness potential.

A month ago, I started really focusing on people who are happy at work. ?Everywhere I go, I pay attention to who is around me. ?And, I am documenting those who appear to be happy in their workplace. ?Here you can see the shining face of Suk-Kea Lim from the Greenwood Inn?in Winnipeg, Manitoba. ?One look at her beautiful smile and you know that Suk-Kea is a happy person. ?Well, guess what her ‘job’ is? ?Certainly not a glamorous one by most standards, but one Suk-Kea does extremely well, with great care, and with a fantastic attitude.

So, what’s the difference between Suk-Kea and Jerry? ?How can Jerry – and any of us, for that matter – achieve happiness at work?

We can begin by believing that it is possible. ?In fact, we can begin by believing it IS (a fact, a truth, ‘reality’). ?As long as Jerry believes that his reality is that he has the kind of job at which happiness is an illusion, he’ll continue to create that experience for himself. ?He’ll be oblivious to the opportunity for happiness that is present around him every day.

Check out this video of Sugathapala, who lives in Sri Lanka.

 

Now that is what I’d call a happy dude! ?Even though the job he is in now might not be the job he would have ideally chosen for himself, he is rockin’ it! ?And listen to him as he describes the choice he is making.

Interested in creating more happiness at work? ?It starts by changing your thoughts. ?It starts by moving out of your thinking ruts, and into a new thinking groove. ?Here are some examples:

  • Instead of thinking’ TGIF (thank god it’s Friday)’; think ‘TGIM (thank god it’s Monday)’.
  • Instead of thinking ‘Happy Hour begins at 5:00 p.m.’; think ‘Happy Hour begins at 9:00 a.m.’.
  • Instead of thinking ‘This job sucks’; think ‘I can look at this job in a whole new way’.
  • Instead of thinking ‘My boss does not appreciate me, he gives me no feedback’; think ‘My boss trusts me to do a good job’.
  • Instead of thinking ‘When I get a new job, then I will be happy’; think ‘When I am happy, I will likely get a new job’.
  • Instead of thinking ‘I cannot wait to retire’; think ‘I am grateful for this day’.

Embrace today, be mindful, shake things up, and change your thoughts to change your results. ?You do indeed get what you expect, and you grow that to which you attend.

According to Ellen Langer, a Harvard Psychology Professor, ?Wherever you put the mind, the body will follow?. “It is not our physical state that limits us,? she explains?”it is our mindset about our own limits, our perceptions, that draws the lines in the sand.”

Why can’t workplaces be filled with positive, happy, productive, groovy people?

Why can’t we, as Langer suggests, notice new things, relinquish preconceived mindsets (ruts), and then act on the new observations (grooves)?

I’d love you to join the Groove Community by sharing photos (of you, of your team at work) and stories of how you stay happy (and mindful) at work. Email me at deri@derilatimer.com and look for your story on the Groove Community page (coming soon).

Deri Latimer is an expert in re-energizing the workplace! She is one of fewer than 10% of speakers globally who hold the designation of CSP (Certified Speaking Professional).? Deri combines a business degree with experience in government, health care, manufacturing, education, mining, transportation, agriculture, tourism, and the professional services sectors. Deri impacts individuals and organizations by offering practical strategies to move from overwhelmed to resilient, from absence to presence, from stuck to productive, and from exhausted to energized!?

?A?film by Mike Worsman.

Video from KarmaTube

What Clients Say...

“Deri, you are the best! Not a dull moment and the time went too fast!”
Linda Borbridge, Manager, Aboriginal Peoples Television Network
“I’m often asked to recommend a professional speaker who will captivate and motivate, and without hesitation Deri Latimer comes to mind. Deri has a reputation for a no-nonsense, energetic, synergistic approach. Her cutting-edge sessions are the perfect combination of science and inspiration and will have you moving into a new groove.”
Dr. Lewena Bayer, CEO, Civility Experts Inc.
“Deri is the personification of quality, style, and enthusiasm in her message. She delivered a message with our group that heightened their awareness and ability to share success. My hope is that you too will seek her out as a keynote, connector, and catalyst for change.”
Joseph Bork, Program Director, St. Mary’s University
“I am usually the type to sit in the crowd, quietly take it all in, and take notes, notes that end up in a binder, often never to be seen once I return to work. Deri was engaging, fun and as real as they get. I was so moved by her session that I shocked myself by approaching her after the session to chat. During the session I didn’t need to take notes because her concepts hit home and stuck with me. I have already taken her advice and acted on her tips and tools to be more positive. Her positivity is contagious and her message is one that everyone should take time to listen to.”
Amy Normal, VP, Corporate Services, Said Business School, University of Oxford
“I had the privilege of hearing Deri keynote at our conference. She captivates, motivates, and positively engages an audience with her unique combination of wisdom about neuroscience and positive behaviors that can be life changing when put into action. I would recommend her without any reservation for those seeking a speaker who can move an audience – from associates on a manufacturing floor to members of an executive leadership team – into action. Her takeaways are designed for positive impact. Prepare to laugh, to be curious, to be hungry for more time to listen to Deri.”
Vickie Maris, Host, Agile Digital Business
“Deri, your seminar truly resonated with our team. You took the time to learn about our roles, our challenges and opportunities and created an inspiring and motivating seminar just for us and made an impact with every person there. Having your book to use as a tool in our day-to-day has also been very valuable and has enhanced the results we got out of the time with you. We all hope that we will see you again at the next conference!”
Chantelle Arsenault, GBA, Great West Life Assurance Company of Canada
“It was an absolute pleasure to have Deri speak at our AGM. Deri brought an amazing level of passion and energy as she engaged our members with her talk on growth mindset. If you are looking for a speaker to connect with your audience, I would highly recommend that you reach out to Deri. Thank you, Deri – we were lucky to have you!”
Rob Chester, Director Information Security, Wawanesa Insurance
“A wonderfully authentic speaker with an infectious positive energy, Deri takes the crowd back to the roots of inspiration by sparking something within the humanity of the people in the room. Her fantastic sense of humor and knowledgeable way of integrating experiential learning opportunities into an inspirational message makes her a speaker not to miss!”
Ashley Collette, Social Work Officer, Canadian Armed Forces
“I forgot to take notes because I was taking it all in and feeling change take hold…”
Derek Rumboldt-Delouche, Director, Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada
“That was fantastic! That was the most energized I have ever felt leaving a conference!!”
Barb Spurway, Principal Consultant, Protegra
“I cannot exaggerate how positively our Forum delegates reacted to your presentation. You set the perfect tone for the entire conference and left a lasting impression on our delegates and CPA staff alike.”
Sarah Marshall, President, Canadian Physiotherapy Association
“You changed people.”
Michelle Kletke, Human Resources Manager, TNG, Jim Pattison Group