Five steps to a happier career in 2010

As those who struggled in 2009 emerge from the doom and gloom of the global financial crisis, the Christmas period proved to be the perfect solution to shake off the negativity of the past 12 months.

Traditionally a time for relaxation and rejuvenation, the holiday season provided recession-weary workers the chance to unwind, recover and ready themselves for the new working year. |It is now when employees can look to form a positive outlook for the coming year and arm themselves with the right attitude for a happy workplace.

It’s widely believed that genes play a major part in the formation of a person’s disposition – some people are easygoing and feel very little anxiety, while others are more susceptible to self-doubt and negativity. Martyn Newman, Consulting Psychologist for recruitment & HR services company Randstad, believes that happiness ultimately goes hand-in-hand with a set of emotional and social skills that can be measured and learnt.

Martyn Newman refers to happiness as ‘emotional capital’ because “It’s the kind of wealth that literally creates peace of mind. People with this kind of wealth are the ‘new rich,’ they are emotional capitalists with the spending power to be at their best whatever the challenge.

“Not only do they have more energy and drive than most people, they also enrich everyone around them with their skills and attitude,” he said.

Using a simple online tool such as the Emotional Capital Inventory (ECi) it is now possible to measure these skills and obtain a quick snapshot of how people are doing on the ten skills that lead to greater happiness and productivity.

“Of course, being able to measure these skills is the first step to being able to systematically build them. This is one of the best investments individuals and organisations can make to create true wealth.”

Martyn Newman’s top tips to becoming an emotional capitalist:

• Be self-reliant – The emotional power to accept responsibility in both planning and making important decisions is the first step. Having had a tough 2009, in which you may have had to deal with unexpected circumstances, discover what matters most to you, and have the courage to believe in yourself.

• Be self-confident – People need to have the courage to take on initiative despite social pressures and learn to not rely on the approval of others to pursue your course of action. Having the guts to face challenges head on in 2010 will prove to be extremely beneficial in the long run.

• Be optimistic – Always look on the bright side of life and sense opportunities even in the face of adversity. Even if the task at hand is particularly daunting, looking at it positively will evoke feelings of triumph once these goals are achieved.

• Be more resilient – This past year has seen everyone experience their fair share of failures, losses and disappointments. The important thing to remember is to bounce back from adversity and overcome those negative emotions.

• Be passionate about what you do – Passionate people spend twice as much time thinking about what they have accomplished, how achievable the task ahead is and how capable they are of achieving it. If workers are able to find something that sparks their interest, their state of mind will improve.

Practicing kindness and compassion also helps ‘top up’ the happiness quota and gives workers that ‘feel good’ factor they can bring with them into the New Year.

Martyn Newman is the author of the international bestseller, “Emotional Capitalists – The New Leaders” published by John Wiley and the “Emotional Capital Inventory” – the world’s first scientifically designed tool for measuring emotional intelligence and leadership.

Martyn is also the Consulting Psychologist for global recruitment and HR services company, Randstad, and Managing Director of RocheMartin.

Visit the HR Solutions area of the website www.randstad.com.au for more information.