Work to Live, for Productivity's Sake!
One of the biggest regrets people report on their deathbeds is NOT spending more quality time with their family and friends. It’s one of the most measured markers for unhappiness yet no one seems to do anything about it while they can……and let’s face it, death can happen when you least expect it.
George Vaillant who is a director of a 7 decade study into the happiness of nearly 300 men called the Grant Study notes “That the only thing that really matters in life are your relationships to other people.”
He also found “93 percent of the men who were thriving at age 65 had been close to a brother or sister when younger”.
What Will This Cost Me?
But for those of you thinking of the bottom line, the Journo of Socio-Economics states “an increase in the level of social involvements is worth up to an extra £85,000 a year in terms of life satisfaction”
AUD $170,000 of added value?!
You can’t actually retrospectively buy that…..and flashing AUD$170K around seeking someone to sell you a solution as you sit rocking on your verandah under a tartan rug, isn’t going to achieve much….
Happiness it seems, is something that can’t be bought but improving the strength of our social relationships with friends and family is where the greatest satisfaction lies.
Mostly, these are relationships outside of work but let’s not overlook the 36 hours we spend each week with our colleagues. For the majority of us, these people contribute vastly to our lives and it therefore makes sense to cultivate friendships at work. As an office manager or business owner, how could you help promote meaningful friendships within your ranks? To encourage them to feel happy and contented at work, and promote a culture of joy and activity?
We all know the old adage that the couple who play together, stay together….it also applies to staff relationships.
Gather a Team
Some progressive companies we’ve worked with have created lunchtime sports teams, playing other offices in their building or across their networks. Others have started walking groups or social hubs afterhours. And the one thing they do to recognise and consolidate the group is to issue them with branded clothing – printed t shirts for the most part.