Happiness at Work: Be Resilient, Motivated, and Successful - No Matter What

by Srikumar Rao

Learn to create resilience and happiness no matter what’s going on in your life In these tough times, there are few people who are completely happy with the current conditions. From business executives to the everyday Joe or Jane, everyone seems to be going through a rough economic and personal crunch. But acclaimed business school Professor Srikumar Rao says that we can learn to create joy no matter what else may be going on around us.

Rao shows you that it isn't the negative thing that happens to you that causes your unhappiness, it's how you see it. Happiness at Work is a thought-provoking new title that moves the mind away from negativity and forces you to resist labeling situations as "bad", but rather seeing them as neutral.

Happiness at Work

Surprising ways of looking at change and problem-solving Exercises that shift one’s perspective Learn the vital wisdom necessary to achieving a joyful, successful life as you define it through greater resilience and a strong inner core. Get it now with The Happiness Choice.

"Follow Srikumar Rao’s instructions and you will enjoy the journey to more happiness and meaning in your life, no matter what!"--Marshall Goldsmith, author of What Got You Here Won’t Get You There

"Happiness at Work brings new understanding of the essential role happiness plays in workplace learning and performance. Srikumar Rao’s guidelines for our journey to leadership include aspects rarely explored and newly significant."--Frances Hesselbein, chairman and founding president, Leader to Leader Institute/Drucker Foundation for Nonprofit Management

"This book is a treasure chest full of wisdom. Each and every one of its 34 chapters introduced me to or reminded me of a very important principle for living a happy and successful life."--Jack Canfield, co-creator of the Chicken Soup for the Soul® series and coauthor of The Success Principles

Genres: Self Help, Psychology, Nonfiction, Business, Management, Spirituality, Personal Development

257 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 8, 2010

Reviews

[Lavins · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars

If I could give this book 10 stars I would.
You have to be at a certain level to completely grasp and assimilate all the information provided in this book and I can see why some people gave the not to good reviews. They didn't get it.

The examples are excellent, the lessons are brilliant, I took plenty of notes because this man is so so so right. He hands out the ancient truths about happiness and a good, joyful life.

[Kristine Morris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Srikumar Rao's book is the latest in how to lead an authentic life. There are not a of "new" ideas in this book - in fact much of it is based on Buddhist teachings - but the value is in the way he presents the material. First of all each chapter is relatively short, keeping things fairly succinct. He grabs your attention first by describing your thoughts. That’s right. He gives examples of the many internal monologues and conversations we hold in our heads. He hits them dead on. In fact, after describing what you are telling yourself, he then reassures you that you can’t help it – we are hard-wired or conditioned to think in the way that we do. And then he reframes things. He debunks many happiness beliefs we hold. Much like a good coach, he helps you to understand that YOU are the problem, YOU are unhappiness (in your job, your life), YOU make yourself miserable – not others…it’s YOU! You and your mental framework. You are the conversation in your head. If you are negative, then you are going to have negative experiences. If you are positive then, you’ll have positive happy experiences (this is not to be confused by positive thinking – which is bad for you – Chapter 3).

I particularly liked Chapter 2 – Don’t stick a label on it. A hundred times a day we judge and label things that happen to us. You lose half an hour of work on your laptop (bad)—by the way this is my second review, I lost the first by mishitting a key on my keyboard. Your boss leaves a message to call her immediately (probably bad). We use the bad label three to ten times more frequently than the good label and each time we do this we accumulate stress. It’s unhelpful and with a bit of effort you can stop it. I also like the chapters that focus on being “other-centered” as opposed to “me-centered”. “Think about how every action you take, every thought you indulge, even your instinctive reactions to all events are soaked through and dripping with self-interest”. And he exposes those who take exception to this (that is, those who think they are not me-centered).

In Chapter 30 – Standing on Slippery Rocks, he provided a bit of an “a-ha” moment for me. I have been thinking for a while about how to process all our negative news, the really complex problems we face as a society which does not seem to have a solution and how not to get frustrated or depressed by this. He says, “your task is not be discouraged at what could be done but isn’t. It is to do your bit to help raise the level of consciousness, and the best and only way you can do this is to work on yourself”. Need to think more on this.

I borrowed this book from the library, but I would consider buying it as a reference tool. There’s lots of good stuff in it.

[AndreaZ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book to help us create happiness wherever we happen to be. It reminded me to stop labeling experiences as bad or good, but to accept them as they are. It provides instructions on how to stop carrying useless baggage around, and how to prevent that useless baggage from coloring your interactions with others (that is, how to stop letting your expectations interfere with acceptance).

Short stories illustrate each of the lessons, driving home that we are in control of what matters most... our attitude.

[L. Marquet · Rating 5 out of 5]

We have a human instinct to search for a magic bullet, some instantaneous fix for our problems. So it was with skepticism that I started into Srikumar Rao’s Happiness at Work. How could it be, I wondered, that one read of a book could make me happier?

I now believe that reading this book CAN make you happier – and not only at work but in life as well. It won’t happen overnight. Of course, it couldn’t.

Srikumar has distilled lessons from across the globe, tapping on deep understanding of the common experience of mankind’s philosophies and religions to arrive at universal insights. I’m reframing the book a bit but for me the most compelling lesson was that happiness is essentially a decision, a decision to practice happiness. Within that framework, he offers specific approaches and habits, but they all stem from the approach that you are in charge of your happiness.

I believe that we have it basically backward in western approach to worker satisfaction. We feel that if we increase productivity and performance, the company will do well, and the employees will gain a sense of satisfaction and happiness. I now believe that we need to first create environments for happy workers. I’m not talking about the superficial happiness of time off and company picnics. I’m talking about the deeper happiness that comes from a sense of competence, and connection to a sense of purpose beyond ourselves.

[J. Schmidt · Rating 3 out of 5]

There really is nothing fundamentally new in this book, but I still enjoyed it as it presented mostly Buddhist ideas in a new light. Chapters are short and easy to read with the right mixture of fluff (stories) and beef.

[Andrew Bieber · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good quick read. Has some good thought exercises that might do some people some good. The author advocates things like meditation, being mindful of your emotions, and watching how your environment affects your emotional state.

[Arrica Lee · Rating 2 out of 5]

I only read the summary because the rest was well.. known facts that I've read in other similar motivational books.

[Ajitabh Pandey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good books filled with positive ways of getting happiness at work. Professor Rao has basically translated the teachings of Srimadbhagvadgita into this book.

[Rajiv Bhattacharya · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't find this book that great. There are bits and pieces which I could connect to but overall its all said and done. But maybe that's what the secret is all about... " Doing the Obvious" :)

[Cameron · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some good concepts and examples in here. They apply not just to work but to the rest of your life as well.

Knocking off a few stars because a lot of his examples seem trapped in the 1950s. He frequently uses an example of a "nagging" wife who won't let her husband watch the football game, or a lazy husband who won't help his wife do the dishes.

He gives another example of an "attractive" woman from one of his programs who was constantly being harassed at work. The resolution (which supposedly worked) was for her to be more trusting of her co-workers and see the best in them. I kinda get what he's going for here--finding happiness in any situation and connecting with other humans is one of the major themes of the book--but this example was gross. Sorry, but the author (a 60 year old man at the time of publication) essentially telling a woman to "smile more and deal with it" to handle workplace harassment is YIKES.

[Monica C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, the content was captivating and although I am familiar with Buddhist principles and their application to our modern life, including work life, the book was really refreshing. Very pleasant to read, you feel like you’re having a conversation with the author as he is not only asking a lot of good questions, but also anticipates some of the reader’s responses. It worked for me, I feel very inspired and encouraged after reading it. Will definitely explore a few of the recommendations he poses in his book.

[Vijay Sankar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall a good book. Most of the topics discussed are around managing your thoughts positively. One key thing I felt is that this is more a how to be happy book in general rather than being specific to work. Also some of the concepts discussed in this book are already there in Are You Ready to Succeed by the same author.
I have written a detailed review and summary of key learning at my blog @ https://goo.gl/zA8AUK

[Alicia Yuet · Rating 5 out of 5]

After taking Srikumar Rao's life-changing course on Personal Mastery, I've decided to give his book a go. It is a profound book that questions life in a universal way and my biggest take-away is the theory of the Benevolent Universe. In addition to that, be a Daruma Doll and be Bigger than your problems!

[Camilo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't agree more on Vishen Lakhiani's description of Professor Rao as the human Yoda. His capacity of encapsulating wisdom in very practical mental and actionable steps is truly amazing. This is one of those books I'll definitely have to read more than once.

[Steven Groner · Rating 5 out of 5]

The title is misleading. Mr. Rao provides advice and insights about arranging a happier LIFE. He suggests tools to 'lighten our load' and build clarity of mind. I enjoyed his suggested approach of reading each chapter slowly and with careful thought. It is a short book but not one to hurry through.

[Arun Narayanaswamy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great read in how to lead life and take those leanings to the work ecosystem. Simple yet powerful storytelling by the author.

[Philip Koehler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Light introduction into perhaps Buddhist philosophy using the world of work as an example. I enjoyed the short chapters and the inspiration. I would have liked more references to the source ideas.

[Alex Exarchos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book, if you feel stuck on any level in your life. You will do yourself a true service.

[Tami · Rating 5 out of 5]

We live in a me-centered society. We want what we want and we want it right now. For some reason, we believe that if everything isn’t exactly as we plan it, we’ve somehow failed. So we focus on the getting and achieving rather than experiencing the here and now and seeing what’s really important.

Over the years, I’ve read hundreds of self help, personal growth, and business books. Many of these works promote or touch on the concepts presented in Happiness at Work. However, none do what this book does. The concepts presented clearly and in a straightforward manner step by step so that the reader grows with and into each step. To further clarify and help integrate the information, the author provides concrete things to do and little stories bring home the points.

The bottom line is that we think our lives need to be fixed. We think we need to manage our time better, find a better job, or create a flashy advertising campaign to bring in more customers. The truth is that we need manage ourselves better. We need to look to what we do right now and really pay attention. We are missing out on life by chasing moonbeams and fairytales that won’t really make us happy anyway.

[Brandon Peele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Srikumar Rao, a friend and former Professor of mine, wrote a beautiful narrative, illuminating many common, yet flawed human processes. This book is a distillation of many of the key concepts of his course, Creativity and Personal Mastery, of which I am a graduate. The course, and by extension the book, is an innovative synthesis and pragmatic refinement of spiritual truths that transcend tradition. Specifically, Srikumar succeeds in challenging the epidemics of positive thinking, judgment, and traditional notions of happiness and success, offering his readers more intuitive and sustainable life practices. Most valuable are the exercises in the book; they actually produce a radical shift in perspective and being – almost like a Halloween of the mind. Collectively they expose more harmonious and fulfilling ways of moving through life. I recommend this book, as well as his seminars and course, to anybody interested in upgrading their operation system and experiencing greater levels of fulfillment and performance in all areas of their life - to those curious about taking the lead in their own evolution.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent book with excellent ideas. Many of the ideas we're first discussed in "Are you ready to Succeed" (Rao's first book). The difference is the author went into that book with more humility, admitting that many of the ideas are compilations from centuries of different cultures, religions, etc. Rao seems to exhibit a lot less humility with this book.

However, "Are you ready to suceed" is a book that I have highlighted multiple times, and the binding is falling off because I have spent so much time reading, re-reading, and skimming parts of it. The book literally changed my life. And regurgitating some of the ideas here certainly didn't hurt. Plus, Rao's ideas on enjoying the process-not the results, really strike a chord with me, since I am in a competitive field and have had to deal with many feelings of inadequacy in my life.

[Margot · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rao's work on the philosophy of happiness includes more than thirty lessons on modifying your mindset toward happiness independent of expectation and worldly achievement. It is also the best, deepest, and most powerful book on happiness that I have read so far. It is better savored slowly, read and re-read. The lessons are sometimes dense, and certainly not absorbed perfectly through one reading but rather through prolonged and repeated contemplation. I plan to purchase a copy so I can reread at my leisure -- a permanent new fixture on my night stand. I recommend to anyone interested in removing themselves from the rat race of that next promotion, a bigger house, a boyfriend/girlfriend, fame and recognition will make me happy to do the same.

[Margot Note]

"What matters is that you get to choose the emotional space you occupy when you contemplate what happens to you. You probably didn't realize you have that choice, but you do" (4).

"The mental detritus that you insist on carrying around on this journey is every bit as enervating and debilitating as the physical stuff that slows you down on a long hike" (26).

"Passion does not exist in the job. It exists in you--and if you cannot ignite it within yourself right where you are now, you will never find it outside yourself" (44).

"What you don't recognize, what you don't accept, is that your life is perfect" (77).

[Murgh · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good book about how to put things in different perspective. The author gives you different everyday examples of what people think is happening opposed to what is happening. This book also gives exercises at the end of each chapter to reinforce looking at things in a different perspective.

Overall this a good book if you want to look at things in a different way and want to manage your time and thoughts differently while doing tasks such as work or anything that inst what your want to do.

[Erik Richvoldsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely amazing. This book gave me some really eye-opening insights. It's Zen stuff without the spirituality. Just what a science fan like me needs.

This is the first book ever that I started reading again as soon as I finished it.

[John Stepper · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a good book. Yet it substantially overlaps with (and pales in comparison to) the author's 5-star "Are Your Ready to Succeed?"

Glad I read it. But if you only have time for one, read "Are Your Ready...".

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book that I wish I'd taken notes on to write my own one-pager to revisit whenever I find myself being less happy with work (or any situation I feel obligated to, really...). There is good advice for keeping above the fray and managing your emotional response to various situations.

[Sami Huq · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s magical

This is my second read by rao and I have consciously became his fan. The way he he has unfolded the mystery of the universe in such delicate and yet simple manner is unbelievable. Loved it..

Highly recommend, one of the masterpieces on self help Genre..

[Victor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting and worth thinking about, but parts of the author's advice are worrisome from a societal perspective.

[Sleuth]

What a great and simple book.
Be in the current, invest in the process and not in the outcome. Be a daruma doll and cut the drama out!
This is worth re-reading