Want success? Try being happy

Firms must work on identifying grievances and resolving them  
I don’t agree completely that people who are unhappy in their life are unlikely to find job satisfaction. Sometimes when people are cheerful, they do their tasks happily; sometimes when people are unhappy in their personal life, they are doing a great job at work. They are more content in their work life. Problems and difficulties are a part and parcel of life and corporate world. This is the reason; we have created a dedicated employee relation department. This wing exclusively monitors the problems and reasons of unhappiness of the employees. They have various reasons for their unhappiness like day-to-day work pressures, job not getting monetary rewards, environment at the office and disputes with colleagues. Once the employee comes clean and talks about the problems, we try to solve their grievances. We have observed that open-minded people are always satisfied with their jobs as their problems are heard and resolved.    
Ameera Patel, executive director & CEO, Metropolis Health Services (I) Ltd

Relationships, family issues need resolution
I agree with the survey that unhappy people are unlikely to find job satisfaction. If a person is happy he is likely to do his job with joy and enthusiasm. Emotionally a person has to be unperturbed to do good work and only then will the individual be satisfied. When people lack such contentment anywhere in their life, it becomes a miserable drudgery for them. Fifty per cent people come for treatment with multifaceted problems of life in relationships and other family problems. So they are unable to do their jobs perfectly. We also find that they have developed some attitudinal problems. So we try to motivate them to tackle with their assignment. Many people only have great expectations, so we try to see to it that they can give it their best. This makes them more responsible and capable enough to tackle any difficulties.
Varkha Chulani, clinical psychologist, Lilavati hospital

Problems diminish with sharing
It has been observed that while people are happy with their personal life, they are dejected with their work. Today many people are unhappy, because they are exposed to glamorous lifestyle, happenings on the Page 3 circuit. This creates a never ending wishlist, which is difficult to fulfill. Moreover there is lack of balance between personal and professional life. Being an entrepreneur I faced many situations when all my anger or frustration has to be tolerated by my family members, especially my son. But I have understood how to maintain a balance between business commitments and personal life. I came across with problems but by sharing everything with my husband I feel relaxed and calm. In this way, any situation can’t affect my happiness in my life.                    
Jumana Dalal, entrepreneur

Shun company of pessimists
Happiness and discontent are states of the mind, which transform your actions or daily activities. If you have been brought up in a happy and positive atmosphere, where people value success and self-improvement, then it will be easier for you to think positively and expect success. Pessimistic thoughts release negative energy and it’s a chain reaction. Not only does it affect the individual but we tend to pass it on to others and create an unenthusiastic environment. There are various ways to overcome negative thoughts. One way to do it is to firstly acknowledge their existence. Decide that you will live your day with happiness and not let negative thoughts disrupt it. Don’t be in the company of pessimistic people and celebrate and enjoy small achievements.   
Arun Dasan, PR associate

We have false notions of success
Either an individual can do what they love or love whatever they do. It depends in which category one chooses to be in. Our life has become a drab routine, there is no emphasis on music, fine arts and hobbies. We want everyone to become IITians or IIM graduates. In school, youngsters are compelled to enter the rat race which creates the erroneous perception that success means getting into IIT, which guarantees a bright future. I chose copy-writing as my profession because I always wanted to do something, which gives me immense
satisfaction. It’s difficult to counsel others, but I would like to say that while work is important have creative pursuits on the side. This will help you to be involved in your work and tide through the blues.
Sourabh Goswami, creative writer

Discontent due to expectations
If someone is discontented in their personal life, the individual may just immerse themselves in their work as a temporary reprieve from their troubles. However, on a personal note, I think that a person can only be a truly outstanding performer at work, if all other things are in order — personal happiness, work-life balance, some form of motivation at work and corporate ambience. People are only forlorn because they depend on others to give them happiness. They have so many expectations from others and they’re so busy keeping tabs on whether the individuals measure up to their expectations, that they forget one basic fact — happiness is a state of mind that only you can achieve for yourself. Everyone should do at least one thing that makes them feel good everyday.        
Sunita Tejus, instructional design lead

Negativity will affect work
Yes I agree with the study that states people unhappy with their life are unlikely to find satisfaction in their assignment. This is because the negativity or any grudge that people carry, is bound to affect their work as well. Also, nowadays people are unhappy due to the increasing stress levels, both at home and on the work front. To overcome any negative thoughts or anxiety, I read self-help books, listen to music and try and analyse how I can find a relevant solution to the problem, which gives birth to such negative thoughts. This surely helps and has a calming effect. Also I feel that there is no point in grumbling about problems because it will not solve them. Everyone has problems, finding a solution is essential to lead a stress free and happy life. It’s important that we all realise and work towards leading a stress-free life rather than worrying and criticising others unnecessarily.
Meghna Thakkar, fashion designer

Rat-race leads to disapproval
I really feel that finding contentment and pleasure is in the hands of an individual. One’s job or assignment or even personal life has no bearing on how a person finds happiness. In most obvious cases, yes a majority of the lot is unhappy today. There is a crazy rat race, everyone is running after something that might not even last their lifetime. It could be education, career, relationships, money, fame, it’s a personal choice that they have to make. If I have negative thoughts, then they come to me for a reason. It just requires one to look at all aspects that may be the reasons for discontentment. I would want everyone to accept life, as it comes rather than struggling incessantly to improve it. People need to have a positive frame of mind, this will go a long way.
Arya Singh, customer care associate