Pressures. Complaints. Strained relationships. So many things in the work scenario can turn you into a grump. Before you metamorphose into the official office mascot for negativity, check your work joy quotient. It is always a service to yourself and to others to crank up the joy level in the workplace.
Below is a short but insightful questionnaire. Consider it as your temperature check. Choose your level of agreement with each of the statements below. Then, total your points and check your work joy quotient description at the end of this article.
1. My work hours make me feel like I am a slave at this job.
A – Strongly Agree B – Agree C – Disagree
2. The people I deal with always find something to complain about.
A – Strongly Agree B – Agree C – Disagree
3. This job pays for my bills. I am grateful to have the means to make a living.
A – Strongly Agree B – Agree C – Disagree
4. My pay does not make me feel compensated for the effort I make.
A – Strongly Agree B – Agree C – Disagree
5. There is something new for me to learn with every challenge that I face.
A – Strongly Agree B – Agree C – Disagree
6. I am confident of support from my boss.
A – Strongly Agree B – Agree C – Disagree
7. I encourage my coworkers, especially when they are stressed out.
A – Strongly Agree B – Agree C – Disagree
8. Sure I have a job, but I do not see career prospects for me in this company.
A – Strongly Agree B – Agree C – Disagree
9. I avoid brooding on office irritations and keep moving forward on resolving issues.
A – Strongly Agree B – Agree C – Disagree
10. My work is characterized by mostly routine tasks. I am bored and feel unfulfilled.
A – Strongly Agree B – Agree C – Disagree
Use the table below to score your responses.
| Statement | A | B | C | Your Score |
| 1 | 0 points | 5 points | 10 points | |
| 2 | 0 points | 5 points | 10 points | |
| 3 | 10 points | 5 points | 0 points | |
| 4 | 0 points | 5 points | 10 points | |
| 5 | 10 points | 5 points | 0 points | |
| 6 | 10 points | 5 points | 0 points | |
| 7 | 0 points | 5 points | 10 points | |
| 8 | 0 points | 5 points | 10 points | |
| 9 | 10 points | 5 points | 0 points | |
| 10 | 0 points | 5 points | 10 points |
Total _____________
If you scored between 80-100 points, your attitude helps you maintain a sense of joy in spite of work frustrations and difficulties. Keep seeing the good in each day. Deal positively with the spirit downers and you will surely bring joy into the workplace.
Between 50-79 points. Your emotions tend to cloud your sense of joy. Remember, joy is deeper than happiness. The people around you cannot take away your joy unless you allow them to dictate your emotions. Joy is about finding peace in a troubling situation because you choose to adopt a winning attitude over your circumstances. Seek to build strength of character from difficulties and your sense of joy will increase.
Below 49 points. Watch out! Don’t fall into the gloom pit. It’s easy to get stuck in a joyless rut; but why would you want that? Expand your perspective and start finding things to appreciate about your work, your boss and your colleagues. Serenity is built when you “change the things that can be changed, accept those that cannot and have the wisdom to know the difference.”
The title for the book Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff by Richard Carlson actually came from advise on living in harmony. “ #1. Don’t sweat the small stuff and #2. It’s all small stuff.” Joyful living comes when we realize that are trials are meant to build character and perseverance. When we know that that there is a bigger purpose to our situation, issues and challenges lose their power to rob us of our joy. Look beyond the everyday grind and choose to walk the path of faith that there is more to life than our daily toil. Seek to put joy into the workplace. It is part of the calling of leadership .
Lin Mukhi is the Vice President for Human Resources of Philippine Investment Management (PHINMA) Inc. Lin is a grateful mother to two teen-agers who help her unlock her mind to enjoy life and live her purpose at home and at work. Lin is the author of two books: Smart Moves in the Workplace (Anvil, 2005) and Smart Moves for Working Women (Anvil, 2006).
