Happy People Are Productive People

The reality is that we can talk about productivity tips and tricks all we like – but unless somebody chooses to use them, it is worth "diddly squat" (I think that is an Australianism meaning "two tenths of nothing" – oops another Australianism – I mean it has no value at all.)

My productivity comes from the headspace I’m in. We have all read many a post on "10 tips to take you to the top" or "25 things successful people do". Yet how many of these do we actually apply? Somehow all of us think that everybody else is far more productive and having a better time than we are. The grass is always greener.

So as I thought deeply about the topic at hand (because I am highly productive). I wondered what the deeper reason for my productivity is.

Perhaps it is that every morning as we sip our first coffee of the day, my partner and I reflect on "What is the purpose of the day?", "What are we grateful for?", and "What did we discover yesterday?" This reflection takes but a few minutes – and we are investing in our day.

Or maybe it is the little list that I write that simply says "I cannot go to bed tonight until I...". Sometimes there is only one thing on that list.

You can see what I am saying here – my productivity comes from the headspace I’m in. So as you read all the tips and tricks in the series of Hacks – remember one thing: Happy people are creative, productive people.

Be happy then you will be able to apply lots of the Hacks!

In short, happy people equal happy profits. Happy employees are simply more productive – and that can only be a good thing for business – but also great for you as the employee.

Thomas Wright, professor at Fordham University, claims employee happiness accounts for as much as 10-15 percent of the variance in performance between different employees. In a 40-hour week that could mean more than three-quarters of an hour in lost productivity, every day.

Happiness is a powerful key in maximising productivity in the workplace. Disengaged (unhappy) workers cost billions in lost productivity, whereas engaged (happy) employees are more profitable, more customer-focused, safer and more likely to stick around. In fact, organisations with a happy workforce have 20 percent higher profits (and a profitable company has greater resources to support its employees – so the cycle continues). At work, happy people are:

· 31 percent more productive;

· 40 percent more likely to receive a promotion (people like happy people);

· Less absent, with 23 percent fewer fatigue symptoms;

· Up to 10 percent more engaged at work;

· Able to sell more – happy sales people produce 37 percent greater sales.

Work for most of us is a big part of our lives. It takes up the majority of our waking hours. So being happy at work is my #1 hack suggestion. It takes consistent and conscious effort to choose being happy... and the rest will follow.

ЗАДАНИЕ 3. Translate the questionnaire, choose the suitable answer for the questions, count your score. Determine your range according to your score.

THE QUESTIONNAIRE

How do you rate as an entrepreneur?

1. Are a self-starter?

a. I only make an effort when I want to.

b. If someone explains what to do, then I can continue from there.

c. I make my own decisions. I don't need anyone to tell me what to do.

2. How do you get on with other people?

a. I get on with almost everybody.

b. I have my own friends and I don't really need anyone else.

c. I don't really feel at home with other people.

3. Can you lead and motivate others?

a. Once something is moving I'll join in.

b. I'm good at giving orders when I know what to do.

c. I can persuade most people to follow me when I start something.

4. Can you take responsibility?

a. I like to take charge and to obtain results.

b. I'll take charge if I have to but I prefer someone else to be responsible.

c. Someone always wants to be the leader and I'm happy to let them do the job.

5. Are you a good organizer?

a. I tend to get confused when unexpected problems arise.

b. I like to plan exactly what I'm going to do.

c. I just like to let things happen.

6. How good a worker are you?

a. I'm willing to work hard for something I really want.

b. I find my home environment more stimulating than work.

c. Regular work suits me but I don't like it to interfere with my private life.

7. Can you make decisions?

a. I'm quite happy to execute other people's decisions.

b. I often make very quick decisions which usually work but sometimes don't.

c. Before making a decision, I need time to think it over.

8. Do you enjoy taking risks?

a. I always evaluate the exact dangers of any situation.

b. I like the excitement of taking big risks.

c. For me safety is the most important thing.

9. Can you stay the course?

a. The biggest challenge for me is getting a project started.

b. If I decide to do something, nothing will stop me.

c. If something doesn’t go right first time, I tend to lose interest.

10. Are you motivated by money?

a. For me, job satisfaction cannot be measured in money terms.

b. Although money is important to me, I value other things just as much.

c. Making money is my main motivation.

11. How do you react to criticism?

a. I dislike any form of criticism.

b. If people criticize me I always listen and may or may not reject what they have to say.

c. When people criticize me there is usually some truth in what they say.

12. Can people believe what you say?

a. I try to be honest, but it is sometimes difficult or too complicated to explain things to other people.

b. I don't say things I don't mean.

c. When I think I'm right, I don't care what anyone else thinks.

13. Do you delegate?

a. I prefer to delegate what I consider to be the least unimportant tasks.

b. When I have a job to do I like to do everything myself.

c. Delegating is an important part of any job.

14. Can you cope with stress?

a. Stress is something I can live with.

b. Stress can be a stimulating element in a business.

c. I try to avoid situations which lead to stress.

15. How do you view your chances of success?

a. I believe that my success will depend to a large degree on factors outside my control.

b. I know that everything depends on me and my abilities.

c. It is difficult to foresee what will happen in the future.

16. If the business was not making a profit after five years, what would you do?

a. give up easily.

b. give up reluctantly.

c. carry on.

KEY TO THE QUESTIONNAIRE

1. a=0 b=2 c=4

2. a=4 b=2 c=0

3. a=0 b=2 c=4

4. a=4 b=2 c=0

5. a=2 b=4 c=0

6. a=4 b=0 c=2

7. a=0 b=4 c=2

8. a=2 b=4 c=0

9. a=2 b=4 c=0

10. a=0 b=2 c=4

11. a=0 b=4 c=2

12. a=2 b=4 c=0

13. a=2 b=0 c=4

14. a=2 b=4 c=0

15. a=0 b=4 c=2

16. a=4 b=2 c=0

44 or above

You definitely have the necessary qualities to become the director of a successful business.

You have a strong sense of leadership, you can both organize and motivate and you know exactly where you and your team are going.

Between 44 and 22

You may need to think more carefully before setting up your own business. Although you do have some of the essential skills for running business, you will probably, not be able to deal with the pressures and strains that are a part of the job. You should perhaps consider taking some professional training or finding an associate who can compensate for some of your weaknesses.

Below 22

Managing your own business is not for you. You are better suited to an environment where you are not responsible for making decisions and taking risks. To operate successfully you need to follow well defined instructions and you prefer work that is both regular and predictable.

My score is 4+2+4+4+4+4+4+4+4+4+0+0+0+2+4+4=48

The One Sign You Will Be Wealthy

I have written in the past about how working harder than anyone else will make you rich. And over 1 million people read that post. In it, I was careful to define "rich" as achieving what you dreamed you wanted. That means I defined rich as an abundance of anything that is most important to you.

I do believe that being rich is about sustaining happiness and following your own journey. It is about becoming your best self and doing more of what you love. I tell our team at Aha! (visual product roadmap software) this every day.

This post is a bit different though. It is about what it takes to be financially wealthy. Financial independence comes when you generate enough wealth to live comfortably without having to work again.

A lot of people think about being financially independent. 52% of people say having the financial freedom to do volunteer work or donate to charity is a very important priority. And more than 65% of Americans say they wish they had more time to do what they love.

The thing is, money is a tool. And the wealthier you are, the more you can afford to invest in yourself and others.

We all have different goals, but I think you will agree that most people want to gain material wealth. But few who do think deeply about how they will make it happen. So, do you know the one sign that you will be financially wealthy?

The one sign that you will be wealthy is that you "own it."

"Owning it" means possessing a unique asset that is in demand and will significantly increase in value over time. Here are a few examples:

Business
Do you dream of being your own boss? Starting your own company is not for the faint of heart. If you are successful, your business will not only build a solid foundation of wealth, but could someday generate a substantial amount of money as it grows or is acquired. If you are not in a position to start your own business there are other options. There are plenty of companies that offer stock or equity to employees as a part of an incentive program. Owning a small part of a company is better than owning nothing at all.

Property
Owning real estate has historically paid off. As a property owner you have the freedom to rent, renovate, or sell your property on your own terms. Depending on your strategy, you can generate income and yield over the short term, increase value long term, and gain tax advantages by deducting the cost of ownership.

Skill
My mom often complains that NBA players are overpaid, but I disagree. They have a unique skill that people pay lots of money to watch. That skill increases the value of their team and keeps countless others in business as well, from stadium managers to ticket venders. The same can be said for cardiac surgeons who are highly trained, scarce, and in the business of saving people's lives. If you possess a difficult to obtain skill, think of it as your key currency.

Now, some people are born with trust funds and other easy paths. In their case, the one asset they own is money. And owning money is an obvious path to making more of it.

For most of us though, we must study and work hard to gain financial wealth. It does not come easy or overnight. And if we do make it, we were likely blessed by good fortune and others helping us along the way.

I believe that "owning it" is the surefire sign that you will gain financial wealth. You must have possession of something special that will increase in value over time to become rich.

Do you agree that you must "own it" to gain financial wealth?