DESIGNING HAPPINESS
TOOLKIT
JENNIFER AAKER MKTG 353 – STANFORD GSB
RESOURCES
FOR FUTURE REFERENCE… Your Happiness Resources
Explains how capacity for happiness is within people’s power and offers a detailed plan for new ways of thinking and overcoming obstacles. 10 “Great Ideas” are measured against past and present research in psychology and science.
Chronicle of 12 months spent testdriving wisdom of the ages, scientific research, and lessons from popular culture about how to be happier. Surprising lessons about who lives a long, healthy life and why. 6 Selves Exercise
Chapters Exercise
Designing Happiness Workbook
www.designinghappiness.com 01
DESIGNING HAPPINESS TOOLKIT
HAPPY DAY
STRUCTURE A HAPPY DAY
Certain choices in your day can increase your happiness Protect your temporal sweetspots Identify which times throughout the day are most productive for each of activity in your life such as work, family and relaxation. Make sure to protect those times by not answering the phone, email or searching the internet. This will enable you to be most productive during those times.
Create doubles and triples Create opportunities for yourself where you can fulfill multiple parts of yourself – work, family etc. Through these you can better maximize your time and happiness.
Surround yourself with people that matter Research suggests that we are the average of the 5 people we spend the most time with. Therefore, make sure to surround yourself with people who are energizing and meaningful.
Make sure you have some flexible, unstructured time built into each day Flexibility and autonomy allow people to feel in control of their lives, which provides meaning and happiness.
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DESIGNING HAPPINESS TOOLKIT
HAPPY TiIPS
10 WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR HAPPINESS
Our genetics accounts for 50% of our happiness, circumstances in our life for another 10%, and intentional activities only represents the last 40% of our happiness. With other words, to be able to affect our happiness we have to spend our time on the right activities. This list represents the top ten intentional activities for improving our happiness. 1. Do not equalize happiness with money. 2. Make working out a habit. 3. Have sex. 4. Spend time and energy on meaningful relationships. 5. Reflect on the good things in life. 6. Seek work that you enjoy and explore your talent. 7. Sleep the hours you need every night. 8. Do not pressure to be happy, enjoy the moment. 9. Set realistic goals and gain control over your journey 10. Follow the 10 rules.
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DESIGNING HAPPINESS TOOLKIT
HAPPY STORIES
FOLKLORE
Stories are powerful vehicles to convey human emotion, both internally and externally. Stories connect people They are the currency of human contact.
Be thoughtful about the stories you tell Stories influence how you see yourself, and how others see you. The stories we tell ourselves and others influence the happiness we feel. They can become self-fulfilling prophecies, good or bad.
A skill worth its weight in gold Storytelling is a crucial skill in persuading others to take action on behalf of another person or organization. It is equally important to one’s own life and goals.
Six Word Stories In six words you can capture a headline that is distinct and memorable.
Try your own six word story!
“Baby shoes, for sale, never worn.” – Ernest Hemingway
“Stories are the creative conversion of life itself into a more powerful, clearer, more meaningful experience.” – Robert McKee 04
DESIGNING HAPPINESS TOOLKIT
HAPPY MEMORIES
CAPTURE YOUR STORY, CAPTURE YOUR LIFE Our memories of past experiences are largely influenced by the images we visually record Self-documentation & self-reflection Capturing key moments and experiences will allow you to not only to remember, but to begin to better understand yourself and what makes you happy. We often race through life, but pausing to reflect enables us to be more present and proactive about how we live our lives.
Still live your life Strive to find a balance between “never wanting to forget” and “never feeling alive.” Becoming overly focused on self-documentation may actually take you out of your life, where you become an observer.
TRY THIS Using your smart phone, start snapping! Then share via platforms like Instagram or cowbird.com
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DESIGNING HAPPINESS TOOLKIT
HAPPY PLACES AND HAPPY SPACES
FEEL LIKE A CHILD AGAIN
the happiest brands allow people to remember their childhoods, a time when people relate to being happy and worry-free Build a happy brand… The happiest brands in the world do more than just make us buy them. They make us love them. This is the goal at Lolli & Pops, whose motto is “There is a
child in all of us. It is time to come out and play.”
through storytelling, Elicit childhood memories through creating a personal connection with Lolli & Pops’ customers through sharing free candy samples that are accompanied by personal stories.
product selection, Create nostalgia through products. At Lolli & Pops, the “penny candy” counter and the original 3 Musketeers candy bar (with 3 separate pieces of candy all in one package – chocolate, strawberry, vanilla), brings you back to being a child, again.
and store experience. Design a novel store experience, a destination. And Lolli & Pops does just that with its 5 unique stores – Wonka, Apothecary, Chocolate, Gummy, Gumball – within a store.
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DESIGNING HAPPINESS TOOLKITOOLKIT
IF YOU’RE HAPPY, I’M HAPPY
DESIGN FOR STICKY MOMENTS
sticky experiences create long-lasting memories Cultivate a new photo-taking habit People disproportionally remember experiences that they take pictures of. People typically take happy (smiling) photos, and remember those moments as such. We can use photos to promote a happy brand.
Frame the photos The photos we most remember are the ones we view frequently. At Lolli & Pops, we frame candid moments of customers enjoying their in-store experience or their candy purchases at home.
Brand the photos We want to associate the Lolli & Pops brand with these happy memories. Lolli & Pops brands the photos as their own on the “Purveyors of Sweetness” wall near the check-out for all customers to enjoy and see.
TRY THIS Incorporate a photo wall at your company, showing candid (happy) moments of your employees and customers.
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DESIGNING HAPPINESS TOOLKITOOLKIT
HAPPINESS ISN’T WHAT YOU THINK IT IS
CREATE A REWARD SYSTEM non-monetary rewards can fuel progress and serve as motivation Money vs. Mastery Money only serves as motivation up to the point where our basic needs are met. Once this threshold is met, increasing pay is not a significant driver of motivation. However, mastery is a source of motivation. Getting better at something and challenging ourselves leaves us feeling fulfilled and valued.
The Bowtie Reward System At Lolli & Pops, the bowtie is a symbolic element of the Lolli & Pops culture, and is also central to the (new) rewards system. Each Magic Maker (employee) earns his/her first bowtie after successfully completing the training program. The Candyologist (manager) affixes this first bowtie to the Magic Maker consistent with company rituals.
The Golden Bowtie New bowties are earned following promotions or special recognition, and a meaningful activity (e.g., extra vacation time) is granted to the Magic Maker in return. The Golden Bowtie is awarded to the Magic Maker of the month, who is given a “candy allowance” to deliver to his/her organization of choice. Develop a meaningful reward system in your company consisting of a symbolic element and a meaningful nonmonetary reward to the employee.
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DESIGNING HAPPINESS TOOLKITOOLKIT
HAPPINESS CHEAT SHEET
HONOR THE 5:1 POSITIVITY-TONEGATIVITY RATIO
the highest performing (and happiest) teams have a positivity-to-negativity ratio of 5:1 or better; high performance teams learn more, and demonstrate greater creativity and flexibility when positive feedback outweighs the negative feedback Make positivity part of your culture Customer service is a critical element in retail, and especially in creating a positive in-store experience for customers at Lolli & Pops. Positivity will lead to happier employees and happier customers, and a happier brand as a result.
Make positivity part of your language At Lolli & Pops, we encourage Magic Makers (employees) to us “no” to “oh” language. Instead of saying, “no, do not touch the candy with your hands,” we encourage Magic Makers to say “oh, it looks like I can help you by giving you a candy scoop.”
TRY THIS Incorporate more positivity into your life at home or at work.
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DESIGNING HAPPINESS TOOLKITOOLKIT
IF YOU’RE HAPPY, I’M HAPPY
FEEL LIKE YOU ARE PART OF SOMETHING MEANINGFUL creating a higher purpose through work drives happiness Develop a mission A company’s mission defines the goals of the organization. Lolli & Pops is revolutionizing candy, and is one of the first brands to unwrap candy’s potential by selling a product that tastes good and feels good. Through its world of magic, joy and wonder, Lolli & Pops provides each customer with meaningful candy experience.
Create a culture Culture unites an organization. At Lolli & Pops, employees are known as Magic Makers, and mangers as Candyologists. Candy elicits happiness, and happiness is contagious, both inside and outside the store. Employees embrace the culture, and customers feel emotionally connected to the brand.
Establish rituals Rituals and traditions strengthen the culture of a firm, and signal that each member is part of a something larger. Through bowtie ceremonies, secret handshakes, and consistency in dress code, Lolli & Pops instills a strong culture in its employees.
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DESIGNING HAPPINESS TOOLKITOOLKIT
CREATE HAPPY OFFICES
: It’s easier to be productive, creative and happy at work in a colorful, organic, playful environment than in a grey, linear, boring one. Creating a happy office environment exerts a positive effect on employee moral and gives off a good impression should your customers come to visit.
Office Environment
Ensure furniture, ergonomic computer setups, natural lighting and smoothing background music help employees recover from fatigue and stress easily.
Small Surprises
Innovations in central areas in the office brings “accidental discovery” or “serendipity” and makes employees happier. The intellectual gifts from unexpected innovations increase happiness among employees who highly value the intellectual curiosity, especially in an innovative enterprise.
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DESIGNING HAPPINESS TOOLKIT | Team WONDERMENT
ENGAGEMENT : When people focus on a goal that is meaningful to them and are connected, they often end up feeling happier and work harder. Customers vs Brand
Actively collect feedback and let customers know how their opinions shape the brand. Use social media to create constant, open communication.
Customer vs Customer
Create a community to share customers’ happy stories. Encourage customers broadcast how the company impact their lives.
“It’s the symmetry between ‘I understand the brand and the brand understands me’, that can drive trust and ultimately behavior.” Jennifer Aaker, 2012
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DESIGNING HAPPINESS TOOLKIT | Team WONDERMENT
SMALL WORKS People are happier with frequent, small rewards. Keep happiness sustainable in our lives. Monthly Star Awards
Celebrating Small Milestones Setting and celebrating small milestones will make us happier and more productive. Having different celebrations depending on the achievement help foster creativity and collaboration.
Personal day-off Bagel Mornings
Give Out Small and Consistent Perks Motivating people in a sustainable, memorable way.
Employee lead activities
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Weekly Surprise Snacks
DESIGNING HAPPINESS TOOLKIT | Team WONDERMENT
FIRST IMPRESSIONS MATTER Making a positive and happy impression on future employees starts even before they apply for the job. Attract Star Talent Highlight and signify the importance of the 1) values, 2) culture, and 3) higher purpose
Acquire Right Talent Screen for 1) skill and 2) cultural fit.
Assimilate Make employees feel welcome, valued, and comfortable. Create a sense of belonging and connectedness.
Do candidates align with and identify with the brand and higher purpose?
Can the candidate enhance the culture? Is the candidate passionate?
Does the onboarding process foster engagement and align goals and values?
Successfully attracting and hiring talent & fit, and seamlessly integrating new hires is vital for initiating company happiness
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DESIGNING HAPPINESS TOOLKIT | Team WONDERMENT
RUNNING MEETINGS Meetings can be a way for your employees to get to know each other and cultivate relationships among employees. Question of the Day Having team meeting start with one person asking a question and each team member giving a short answer to the question. e.g. What is your favorite app? The last person to answer the question gets to ask the question in the next meeting .
Rotating Leadership Rotate meeting facilitator for every team meeting. This will make people more engaged, and will help the team to know each other better.
Meaningful relationships among employees drives happiness
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DESIGNING HAPPINESS TOOLKIT | Team WONDERMENT
HAPPY PLACES AND HAPPY SPACES
Minimize Frustration find ways to make things go smoother Frustration kills happiness When asked what makes them unhappy, DMV customers often gave examples of time consuming or dysfunctional processes that cause unnecessary waste of their time.
What can be done Though it is not possible to achieve perfection and eliminate all frustration, with more careful planning, most causes of frustration can be avoided. Regular customer satisfaction surveys and other forms of feedback can all help us find potential areas of improvement.
Eliminate Entitlement Recognize the fact that no matter how well-planned a process is, there is always a chance that something could go wrong. Keeping the customers’ expectations reasonably low results in more happiness than does promising them perfection.
TRY THIS Surprise your customers with unexpected gifts of various forms. Something as simple as a word of recognition works wonders.
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DESIGNING HAPPINESS TOOLKIT
HAPPY PLACES AND HAPPY SPACES
FEEDBACK IS A GIFT
There is something to learn from every experience and from every person. Understand and then be understood Feedback is based on each individual’s perception. All point of views are valuable. Understand where people are coming from, withhold judgment, and then proceed to explaining your intention or perspective.
Feedback is a way of helping others Life is a learning experience and should be treated as such. We need to help each other and, in turn, should ask to be helped ourselves. We need other people to help us become better. Rewarding improvement Individual recognition will go a long way. Rather than writing that email that will inevitably find it’s way to the trashcan, try hand writing a short note or card. A funny toy or simple souvenirs.
TRY THIS Share a few ambiguous maxims with your coworkers. Then, have everyone take turns sharing how they interpret it and why. How are your interpretations different? Why do you think that is?
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DESIGNING HAPPINESS TOOLKIT
HAPPY PLACES AND HAPPY SPACES
APPRECIATION we all want to feel appreciated Two types of happiness Expressions of gratitude help us feel motivated and empowered. We rarely take advantage of opportunities to express thanks despite the positive benefits it has on our outlook.
The language of thanks We speak many languages of appreciation. Small tokens, meaningful conversations and public recognition can all be used to communicate gratitude.
Recognition is contagious When we are noticed we tend to notice others. Taking a moment to express appreciate helps others realize what they are grateful for.
TRY THIS Ask yourself: How can you express gratitude more? Try to recognize someone at work a daily basis for doing something you are thankful for.
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DESIGNING HAPPINESS TOOLKIT
HAPPY PLACES AND HAPPY SPACES
MONEY AIN’T A THANG our personal meaning of happiness impacts our choices
Employees are driven by more than money While financial incentives can be quite strong, people want to feel they are working for more that just dollar bills.
The biggest reason for switching jobs is dissatisfaction in one’s job function, not low salary. Ensure employees are working on projects they like and understand. Ask employees what they are passionate about and what their goals are for their job. Then to ensure they achieve them.
Employees want to know their job matters. Show employees how their work is contributing to a larger goal and affecting the bottom line. Ensure they are recognized and feel appreciated for their contributions. .
TRY THIS Ask employees to prioritize the projects they would like to work at the beginning of each quarter. Work hard to ensure each employee gets to contribute in some way to one of the project he or she wants.
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DESIGNING HAPPINESS TOOLKIT
HAPPY PLACES AND HAPPY SPACES
ENABLE CONNECTION
we are happy when we are around the people we love Connecting with people drives happiness We find joy when we’re with the people we love – and we find joy sharing those moments with others.
Work and Family? There’s an inherent tension: we don’t suggest bringing families into the work place, and we want to build happiness and productivity in the work place, but we also recognize that time with family and friends makes people the happiest. So, we need to bring some of the elements of the former to the latter. That way, the halo effect of familial happy can influence our employees.
Remember what matters most Make sure your employees know that you know that their whole lives are important to the success of the company. Encourage group hikes or walks to enable connection among employees and general whole-life health.
TRY THIS Encourage family photos in break rooms and on desks. Host events meant for friends and families of your employees to get to know each other.
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DESIGNING HAPPINESS TOOLKIT
Consciously remembering and celebrating happy moments impacts our overall level of happiness Feeling your type of happiness There are two types of happiness. One is associated with excitement, and the other is linked to peacefulness. Irrespective of whether you want to feel excited and adrenaline rush or meaningful and peaceful, consciously create the small sources of happiness. …And when happy things happen, take a moment to stop and appreciate their significance. Try this: • Keep a log of happy moments • Plan for happy occasions in near future • Find a hobby that makes you happy
DESIGNING HAPPINESS TOOLKIT
Creating a build up of happy instances helps counter the stronger effects of unhappy instances Check the happiness balance sheet Most negative reactions and feelings are stronger than happy and positive emotions. Therefore, amplification of happy moments is important. It ensures that our busy and stressful lives today are not overpowered by negativity Try this: • The flip side of amplifying happiness is treating negative emotions with composure and thought. Avoid getting into a negative spiral • Breaking the pattern, take a walk • Listening to your favorite music • Call a friend to divert your emotions
DESIGNING HAPPINESS TOOLKIT
Capturing happy moments and going back to those memories can hugely increase happiness in your life Record, review and reminisce Capturing happy moments and recording them is the first step. But most people stop with this step and rarely go to review the moments that created so much happiness. Reviewing old memories and reminiscing can not only create happiness but can also help us connect to people around us and keep in touch Try this: •Pin up happy memories – photos, journals, even post its! • Keep a few favorite visual reminders and souvenirs around you • Take time to remember old times • Call people who helped you create the happy moments DESIGNING HAPPINESS TOOLKIT
Just like preserving happiness is great, so is projecting happiness. Taking time to create and sense small sources of happiness every day goes a long way in making you “feel” happy Small acts, big rewards It is true that happiness makes us smile. What is also true and less known is that smiling increases happiness. Finding small sources of happiness can help you feel happy and project it emotionally and physically Try this: • Begin your day with one small act that brings you happiness • Take a “happiness break”; consciously take a small break in the day to do something enjoyable • End your day recounting the happy moments and picture the next day DESIGNING HAPPINESS TOOLKIT
The first rule to partaking in improv activity is to say “yes”. This not only ensures that the group involved can stretch their imagination and have fun; but also brings out parts of people that are deeper and even enjoyable Say yes to your happiness Some people say that when they are happy, they subconsciously fear that this is the calm before the storm. Let go! Enjoy happiness for what it is, when you experience it and for however long it is Try this: •Have a happiness log whereby you can start inviting happy moments in your life openly and widely •Create a happiness cohort; to form a group of people who can journey with you with the same goal and keep you accountable
DESIGNING HAPPINESS TOOLKIT
ENABLE FLEXIBILITY Happiness means different things to different people
The dichotomy of happiness Some people describe happiness in terms of excitement, while for others happiness connotes feelings of peace.
The roots of variation
What happiness means to any given individual—i.e. excitement or peace—depends on a number of factors, including age, temporal focus, and culture.
The flexible organization It’s important to recognize that there is no one-sizefits-all solution for generating happiness among employees, since the very definition of happiness varies by person. A flexible, “ambidextrous” organization caters to both types of happiness by simultaneously fostering stability (related to peaceful happiness) and innovation (related to excited happiness).
TRY THIS Determine each of your teammates’ meaning of happiness by assessing which types of projects they find more enjoyable: those related to stability or those related to innovation.
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DESIGNING HAPPINESS TOOLKIT
CREATE ALIGNMENT People enjoy self-consistency, especially with regard to their goals Temporal alignment People are happier when their short- and long-term goals are clearly aligned than when no obvious connection exists between the two.
Understanding the story Managers can help foster temporal alignment, but they must first understand the end of the story—what are their employees’ long-term goals?
Creating the story Once a manager understands his reports’ ultimate ambitions, he can better assign responsibilities and frame communications in such a way as to align these short-term activities with employees’ long-term goals.
TRY THIS Get to know what makes a teammate tick by having a one-on-one informal meeting at a casual location outside the office; ask about his long-term ambitions, both work- and non-workrelated.
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DESIGNING HAPPINESS TOOLKIT
FOCUS ON STRENGTHS Feelings of efficacy correlate with feelings of happiness
Align responsibilities with strengths Matching projects with an employee’s strengths yields both happiness and productivity benefits.
Happiness benefits Focusing on one’s strengths leads to feelings of happiness and simultaneously distracts from focusing on one’s weaknesses, preventing feelings of unhappiness. This increased happiness in turn leads to productivity benefits.
Productivity benefits Working on projects that align with one’s strengths leads to better output and to developing those strengths into areas of expertise. The associated experiences of completing a task well and meeting responsibilities reinforce feelings of happiness.
TRY THIS Rather than constantly trying to encourage your teammates to be good at many different things (which leads them to focus too much on developing their weaknesses), conduct a strengths-finder exercise and play to their strengths.
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DESIGNING HAPPINESS TOOLKIT
MAKE IT FUN
It’s often the little things that make people the happiest Fun in the workplace A fun work environment is a happy work environment. A happy work environment has happy employees. Happy employees are productive employees.
The power of stickiness Sticky moments are experiences that people look forward to, enjoy at the time of the experience, and fondly remember afterwards; fun can foster these sticky moments.
Fun is easy There are simple, cheap (often free) things any organization can do to make the workplace more fun, whether by encouraging office decorations or setting up enjoyable after-work activities.
TRY THIS To engender and be perceived as more fun, decorate your office with bright colors, zany toys, and cute knickknacks.
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DESIGNING HAPPINESS TOOLKIT
BE SMART WITH TIME
How time is spent both inside and outside the workplace is a critical driver of happiness Time well spent outside the office Getting enough sleep and spending time with friends and family are both strongly related to happiness.
Time well spent at the office For employees to have sufficient quality time in their personal lives, it’s important to design their jobs in such a way as to optimize their productivity and efficiency—such as by protecting their temporal sweet spots (i.e. allowing them to block off meeting-free time each day when they are at their most productive or creative).
A residual effect Protection of temporal sweet spots will not only generate happiness from the free time available outside work, but will also generate workplace happiness as employees feel more effective, productive, and accomplished.
TRY THIS Ask teammates what time of day they feel a) most productive, and b) most creative, and see if there are any general patterns.
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DESIGNING HAPPINESS TOOLKIT
Starting off Happy
Feeling welcomed Feeling welcomed and appreciated leads to increased happiness, appreciation and positivity. This type of action is necessary when starting a new job. Set it up right When welcoming new employees, make sure that they have a space of their own. Ensure that it isn’t empty upon their arrival. Some ideas for ways to fill the area could be with balloons, customized business cards, gift certificate to near by café, or even an Amazon gift card so that they can purchase a business book.
Examples of companies doing it right At some financial firms in New York City, they have structured their analyst programs so that everyone is paired with a buddy for their first several weeks on the job, this makes people feel welcomed and relieved that they have someone to answer their questions. Zappos has designed their workplace so that people can feel free to decorate in literally any fashion that they please. This type of creative environment leads to happiness as it fosters creative expression.
TRY THIS Think back to some of your first days on the job. Were you lost? Did you know everyone’s name? Did you know where to get lunch? Use information from your past experiences to create a happy welcome for your new employees.
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DESIGNING HAPPINESS TOOLKIT
Amplifying Happy
Spontaneity and Surprise Happiness is escalated when we receive “positive” things unexpectedly. When one plans to give a reward, the effect of the reward will likely be amplified if it is given unexpectedly. Choosing happiness We have learned that people that receive rewards are generally grateful and appreciative, however planning impromptu surprises serves to escalate happiness.
Examples of surprise in the work place Google has been known to deliver happiness by surprising employees with cash bonuses. Zappos delivers happiness by encouraging cube mates to plan surprise birthday celebrations.
Examples of surprising customers Best of all is Oprah. It’s hard to forget how Oprah surprised her entire audience of 276 people with brand new cars to commemorate the start of her 19th season. Eight years later, Oprah’s surprise still receives recognition as the best surprise of TV history.
TRY THIS Randomly express your gratitude to someone that is important you. Your gift of gratitude will seem unexpected, and it’s likely to elevate both parties happiness.
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DESIGNING HAPPINESS TOOLKIT
Savoring Happy
Fulfilling Relationships Spending time and recognizing personal relationships. Empower others to help their loved ones Our ethnographic research suggested that more than anything else, employees valued that health insurance was made accessible not only to themselves, but most important their families. By giving people the tools to care for others, it makes people grateful and excited that they can help others.
Recognize the individuals that make others happy Our interviews proved that people love to talk about their family. There are many ways to recognize the importance of family in the workplace. One way is to provide a flexible schedule that allows people the autonomy that they need to tend to their families needs. Another way is by investing in employees by investing in their family. Fullbloom, a California baked goods company has a scholarship fund that helps employee’s send their families to college. Employee say that this type of mentality is one of the best perks of working there and that it creates a happier and more collaborative environment.
TRY THIS Try capturing a happy moment with someone that you care about and surround your workplace or personal space with these photos. Studies show that capturing happy moments with loved ones leads to increased happiness.
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DESIGNING HAPPINESS TOOLKIT
Starting off Happy
Daily dose of happy A little bit of happy goes a long way. Even the smallest moment of happiness can totally turn an otherwise bad day around. Make a list Choose one night of the week and on that night each week, sit down and identify one small thing (a “dose” of happiness) for each of the next seven days. Put your daily doses on your calendar so you can remember and anticipate them.
Examples of a “daily dose of happy”
• A call to a friend you haven’t spoken to a long time • Watching a favorite DVD • Buying yourself an ice cream cone • Going to get a massage • Finally purchasing an item you’ve been eyeing • Spend 30 minutes reading for fun • Your favorite show on TV • Getting 9 hours of sleep * and whatever else makes you happy!
TRY THIS Keep a master list of things that make you happy.. Add to it frequently, and refer to it often so you’re never out of fresh/diverse ideas.
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DESIGNING HAPPINESS TOOLKIT
Starting off Happy
Embody Happiness Keeping a healthy life style, exercising, sleeping well and maintaining a balanced diet, makes you more receptive to happy moments. Exercise, eat right and sleep well When you exercise our body releases chemicals that makes us feel better and suppress hormones that causes stress and anxiety. Maintaining a healthy diet, increases your sense of lightness, and helps you stay fit, which increases your self esteem. Sleep affects dozens of physiological and hormonal processes in our body. Sleeping 6-8 hours a night, will help you be more focused and creative, and even help you diet, as burning fat happens when we sleep.
Examples of supporting healthy life style
• Companies, such as Google and Apple, offer a free gym to its employees, and dining room with healthy food options • Some workplaces offer a diet club that integrates guidance and the social elements of a support group and recognition of achievements to encourage employees to live healthy
TRY THIS Integrate exercise into your life, join a gym or schedule running dates with a friend to hold you accountable. Replace the chocolate snack with fruit and healthy snacks
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DESIGNING HAPPINESS TOOLKIT
HAPPY TYPES
Sweet 16 Happiness Types!
Our lives and our brands embody the following types of happiness, which change over time:
Anticipation Contentment Surprise Aspirational Humor Love Nostalgic Excitement Freedom Fulfillment Relaxation Gratitude Accomplishment Small joys Connectedness Awe WHAT KIND OF HAPPY ARE YOU TODAY? WHAT TYPE OF HAPPY WILL YOUR COMPANY BE TOMORROW?
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DESIGNING HAPPINESS TOOLKIT
HAPPY PHYSICAL ACTS
BIKE HAPPY!
Bike happily and safely with these tips from your friends at Specialized: Light up your night You’re only visible to cars with lights and reflectors
When one door closes… Ride defensively watching for parked cars opening doors
Extra Padding For longer rides, buy some dedicated bike shorts.
Spring cleaning Get a tune up at least once per year
Stop and go Follow the normal rules of the road – stop signs, traffic lights, cross walks etc.
Hard hats rule Helmets. All the time. Period. The end.
Visit Specialized.com for more biking tips and sweet rides!
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DESIGNING HAPPINESS TOOLKIT
HAPPY PLACES AND HAPPY SPACES
Happy Meetings
we can create happiness in sometimes unhappy places and spaces…such as the dreaded corporate meeting. Provide a small snack Healthy food satiates physical happiness and provides empowering energy.
Distribute a photo from a recent event Whether a client event or a corporate retreat, show pictures to create sticky memories of a positive recent company experience.
Share positive feedback from a customer Working hard on work worth doing feels good. Who better to confirm this and provide a point of connection than your customer?!
Tell a joke Here’s one Erin told at Specialized. “Hey guys, guess what the hardest part of cycling is?”…”THE PAVEMENT!” Laughter = happy.
AT BLOOMBERG, MEETINGS ARE OFTEN HELD WITHOUT CHAIRS. BLOOMBERG IS KNOWN FOR ITS EFFICIENT MEETINGS…
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DESIGNING HAPPINESS TOOLKIT
I DON’T SUPPOSE IT WOULD DO ANY GOOD TO TALK TO YOU, WOULD IT?
MY MIND REELS WITH SARCASTIC REPLIES!
CREATING HAPPINESS
Hard Conversations Step-by-step guide to surviving your next tough conversation 1. Start serious This is not the time for mindless chit chat or incongruent emotions.
2. Use inquiry Ask questions to understand where the other person is coming from
3. Follow your curiosity If you’re not sure what questions to ask, let curiosity be your guide.
4. Show empathy Understanding where someone is coming from creates a point of connection.
5. Co-create a new plan Use the information you’ve gathered to co- create a new plan for success.
SUCCESSFULLY NAVIGATING CHALLENGE CREATES MEANING AND ULTIMATELY HAPPINESS!
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DESIGNING HAPPINESS TOOLKIT
CREATING HAPPINESS
On-board a customer
Why only on-board an employee when you can onboard a customer too? 1. Say a cheery hello Whether in person or in an advertisement, create a positive first impression
2. Provide education Become a trusted and beloved resource for your potential customer.
3. Inspire big dreams Customers want to be inspired by products, ideas and leaders.
4. Say thank you Everyone is grateful for gratitude
5. Stamp a final small gift Leave a positive final impression and your customer will return.
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DESIGNING HAPPINESS TOOLKIT
Autonomy
Control and Choice The Joy and Burden of Choice Control over choices made People feel happier when they feel they have control over different choices made – they want to feel like they have control over their lives
Anxiety around making the “right” choice With too many options, the likeliness of making a suboptimal choice rises – this can be paralyzing.
Cultural differences In making choices, individualistic societies focus on independence/autonomy, while collectivist societies focus on group values and harmony. Being from the former could lessen empathy and connectedness towards people who have not had as much opportunity to make their own choices.
TRY THIS Strive to balance choice and decision paralysis by providing enough options so a choice can be made, but not giving too many choices In practice, brainstorm projects/tasks with employees and let them choose how they would like to proceed. Autonomy is important for motivation, initiative and happiness
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DESIGNING HAPPINESS TOOLKIT
Remembering Happiness
Invigorate the tailends Emphasizing the beginning and end of events Inaccurate remembering of happiness People’s recollections of how they felt at a specific time are not accurate – how they remember feeling is different from how they actually felt. Example: Disneyland is remembered as a happy moment but is oftentimes not so, in the actual moment
Over-recalling the tail end of events People tend to over-recall the beginning and end of events, while their brains “fill-in” the moments in between. It is difficult for people to distinguish between what was real and what was filled-in during the temporal stages of events.
Bias towards what they think they should feel Rather than remembering how they actually felt, people oftentimes remember feeling what the think they ought to have felt – there is an element of expectations here.
TRY THIS Bring a burst of energy in the beginning of projects with a fun kick-off meeting End the project/deal with a bang! Have an outing to celebrate the team’s accomplishments
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DESIGNING HAPPINESS TOOLKIT
High Purpose
Align around a higher purpose A higher purpose as a motivator Oftentimes, a unifying higher purpose is a more effective motivator than money. Example – in one study, lawyers refused $30/hr to help needy retirees but agreed to do it for free
A better work environment for all Employees become less self-serving and more teamoriented, which helps the company reach its group goals. A unifying relationship results in greater employee loyalty and helpfulness
Higher purpose can come in many formats A higher purpose can emerge either within the business model (Nest Collective) or it can be added into the work culture through community service programs
TRY THIS Support programs that help employees give back to their communities, whether it be establishing a corporate giving program or taking one day off work for the entire company to engage in community service Create a unifying mission statement and make it an integral part of company culture
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DESIGNING HAPPINESS TOOLKIT
Impact
Sense of worth Give opportunities to make impact Employees want to be able to have impact within the company – it motivates them and gives them a sense of worth
Connection with the customer Foster employees’ connections to customers as another motivating force – it reminds them why they do what they do
Progress Employees are happy when they feel like they are making progress within their company and in their careers
TRY THIS Give employees the opportunity to interact with customers through brief rotations on the “front-lines” Encourage employees to take enrichment classes by offering them in the company, subsidizing them, or rewarding employees for gaining skills
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DESIGNING HAPPINESS TOOLKIT
Managing Expectations
Mind the gap Manage expectations
Happiness is determined by the difference between expectations and reality
Aspire high Continue to aspire high, but still be grateful for what you have
Unexpected surprises Another way to “manage expectations” in a more positive way is to add pleasant surprises to everyday experiences.
TRY THIS Provide unexpected surprises to customers – the occasional free cookie or cappuccino art Create a culture of gratitude at the company, beginning with the leadership
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DESIGNING HAPPINESS TOOLKIT
HAPPY MOMENTS
FINDING INNER PEACE
Meditation is the tongue of the soul and the language of our spirit Meditation restores calm Meditation can give you a sense of calm, peace and balance that benefits both your emotional well-being and your overall health. Spending even a few minutes in meditation can restore your calm and inner peace.
Meditation induces deep relaxation Meditation produces a deep state of relaxation and a tranquil mind. During meditation, you focus your attention and eliminate the stream of jumbled thoughts that may be crowding your mind and causing stress.
Meditation stays with you all day The benefits don't end when your meditation session ends. Meditation can help carry you more calmly through your day and can even improve certain medical conditions.
Emotional benefits of meditation
• Gaining a new perspective on stressful situations • Building skills to manage your stress • Increasing self-awareness • Focusing on the present • Reducing negative emotions
TRY THIS Try a 20-min meditation: sit in a comfortable position. Train your mind to focus on your breathing.
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DESIGNING HAPPINESS TOOLKIT
HAPINESS CHEAT SHEET
FIVE REASONS TO SMILE
A smile is a curve that sets everything straight Smiling reduces stress When you smile, you release endorphins and serotonin. Both reduce your stress and make you feel good.
Smiling helps staying positive It’s hard to think about something negative while smiling. Smiling can trick the body into changing your mood.
Smiling increases longevity A study of pictures taken in 1952 suggests that people smiling more live seven years longer than their nonsmiling counterparts.
Smiling communicates trust Smiling people appear more confident and are therefore more likely to be approached and even promoted.
Smiling is contagious When you smile around 50% of people smile back. However, almost nobody responds to a frown.
TRY THIS Start your day with a smile. Smile four times in four seconds. Smile for ten seconds. Smile often
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DESIGNING HAPPINESS TOOLKIT
LIFE’S LITTLE BLESSINGS
SHOWING GRATITUDE
Is at least as beneficial to your well-being as it is to your relationship with others Personal benefits of a daily journal Experimental subjects keeping gratitude journals on a weekly basis exercised more regularly, reported fewer physical symptoms, felt better about their lives as a whole, and were more optimistic about the upcoming week compared to those who recorded hassles or neutral life events.
Achieve your goals Participants who kept gratitude lists were also more likely to have made progress toward important personal goals (academic, interpersonal and healthbased) compared to subjects in the other experimental conditions.
Heal the sick In a sample of adults with neuromuscular disease, a 21-day gratitude intervention resulted in greater amounts of high energy positive moods, a greater sense of feeling connected to others, more optimistic ratings of one’s life, and better sleep duration and sleep quality.
TRY THIS Take 60 seconds to think of 3 things you’re grateful for. If you’ve got another 60 seconds, try to think of the source of these positive things. Then see if your day improves!
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Source: Emmons, Robert. “Gratitude and Thankfulness” http://psychology.ucdavis.edu/Labs/emmons/PWT/
DESIGNING HAPPINESS TOOLKIT
IF YOU’RE HAPPY, I’M HAPPY
THE POWER OF TOUCH
Particularly in America, people underestimate their ability to influence others through physical contact Engage with others Touching another person provides feeling of reward and reinforces reciprocity. Students receiving a friendly pat on the back from schoolteachers are twice as likely to speak in class. When librarians touch students’ hands as they exchange library books, students are more likely to frequent the library.
Soothe and extend life Basic warm touch can calm cardiovascular stress, activate the Vagus nerve (lowering heart rate), and release oxytocin (the “love hormone”). Touch therapy has been found to increase the weight of premature babies by 47% and reduce depression in patients of Alzheimer‘s Disease.
Communicate emotion, even without speech Experimental participants, isolated from one another in such a way that they could only communicate by a one-second touch to the arm, were able to correctly identify strangers’ emotions of compassion, gratitude, love, anger, fear and disgust 50-60% of the time.
TRY THIS
Use a quick touch to promote cooperation. Studies found that experimental subjects patted on the back before playing “Prisoner’s Dilemma” were twice as likely to cooperate.
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Source: Keltner, Dacher. “On Touch.” Greater Good Science Center. http://youtu.be/GW5p8xOVwRo
DESIGNING HAPPINESS TOOLKIT
IF YOU’RE HAPPY, I’M HAPPY
FREE HUGS EVERY DAY
“A hug is a universal medicine, it is how we handshake from the heart.” -Anonymous 12 hugs to grow According to Virgina Satir (the mother of family therapy), we need four hugs a day for survival, we need eight hugs a day for maintenance, and we need twelve hugs a day for growth.
Improved health & wellness Studies show that folks who are regularly hugged by their close friends and family have reduced heart rates, lower blood pressure, increased nerve activity and more upbeat moods.
Key to successful relationships A survey of successful marriages even showed that hugging and touching (not sexual intercourse), were the key factors in keeping the relationship longlasting.
Life’s miracle drug A hug helps the body’s immune system, cures depression, and induces sleep. It also relieves pain and brings out a surge of serotonine and dopamine, which are known as “feel good” brain chemicals.
TRY THIS
Get inspired by the story of Juan Mann and do your own “FREE HUGS” campaign! Details on website: http://www.freehugscampaign.org/ You and the other hugger both benefit -
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DESIGNING HAPPINESS TOOLKIT
HAPPY PLACES AND HAPPY PEOPLE
Zombie Happiness Tip #1 Create a sense of community that the customers and employees can share in
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DESIGNING HAPPINESS TOOLKIT
HAPPY PLACES AND HAPPY PEOPLE
Zombie Happiness Tip #2 Make your business about contributing to a higher mission or meaning and tell everyone about it 02
DESIGNING HAPPINESS TOOLKIT
HAPPY PLACES AND HAPPY PEOPLE
Zombie Happiness Tip #3 Embrace your quirkiness as a company and make sure you let it shine through in everything you do 03
DESIGNING HAPPINESS TOOLKIT
HAPPY PLACES AND HAPPY PEOPLE
Zombie Happiness Tip #4 When you find your niche, learn to speak the language of everything and everyone in it
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DESIGNING HAPPINESS TOOLKIT
HAPPY PLACES AND HAPPY PEOPLE
Zombie Happiness Tip #5 “Running long distances is a lot like running a business, you have ups and downs but you’ve got to keep going…” 05
DESIGNING HAPPINESS TOOLKIT