Finding Happiness at Work
18 February 2013
Read by 2297 persons
What are we looking for in life and at work? What are the things that make us happy and push us to do our best? For centuries, philosophers and sociologists have pondered these questions. Finally, one of them seems to have found the answers.
Dr. Steven Reiss, professor of psychology and psychiatry at Ohio State University, and author of the book "Who Am I?": The 16 basic desires that motivate our actions and define our personality, discovered that happiness and satisfaction with one's own life do not stem from experiencing pleasure and avoiding pain, but from the feeling that our life has meaning and follows a precise goal. He calls this "value-based happiness" and assures that we all experience this when we satisfy our deepest desires.
After conducting studies involving more than 6,000 people from all walks of life, Dr. Reiss identified 16 universal desires that govern all significant behavior. Based on this research, he then developed a test called "Reiss Profiles", which measures the degree of individual values and each person's desires and reveals their sustainable life goals, psychological needs and personality traits.
Although the "Reiss Profiles" contain more than 100 questions, he has nevertheless accepted the use of this simplified version, designed to help you identify your expectations of life and work.
Read the following statements relating to each basic desire. If they correspond perfectly to you, write a "+ ". If they describe you moderately, write "0". If they only correspond to you very little, write "-"
1) Curiosity: I thirst for knowledge.
2) Recognition: I have difficulty coping with criticism.
3) Order: It bothers me when things are not in their place.
4) Physical activity: Physical maintenance is very important to me.
5) Honor: I am a principled and loyal person.
6) Power: I often seek leadership roles.
7) Independence: Autonomy is essential to my happiness.
8) Social contact: I am known to be a pleasant person.
9) Family: My children come first.
10) Status: I am impressed by people who own expensive things.
11) Idealism: Compared to others, I feel concerned about social causes.
12) Revenge: It is very important for me to settle scores with people who insult or offend me.
13) Love: Compared to my friends, I spend more time "hunting" or making love.
14) Food: I love to eat and I often dream of food.
15) Saving: I hate throwing things away.
16) Tranquility: It scares me when my heart beats fast.
Now, look at your "+"s. They are your priorities and you must have at least 5 or 6.
"Once you know your deep values, one of the best ways to become happier is to find a job that fulfills them," says Reiss. "For example, if you avoid power or dislike being a leader, you won't enjoy leading a large team of staff."
"If you have a strong desire for recognition, don't choose a job that exposes you to evaluations or other criticism; if you prioritize order, look for a profession with minimal ambiguities; and if you are curious, find a job that makes you think!"
Reiss shows how a desire for status and competition drives many securities brokers. He suggests that when evaluating a job, you understand the types of tasks you will be doing throughout the day, week, and year. Then compare these with your strongest desires and make sure that what you will do each day will be a source of happiness for you.
But Reiss warns; it's not just about the job itself; ideally, your value system should also match that of the industry, the company, and your boss. For example, Julie, who identified her strongest desires as those of honor, social contact, food, idealism and curiosity, loved her sales job in a large food group, until she was managed by a routine boss who pushed her to lie to her clients and superiors.
"To successfully manage their careers and enjoy life, people need to have a job and a work environment that is compatible with their deep desires," concludes Reiss. "By doing repetitive things that correspond to your values, there is then no limit to the feeling that your life has meaning and especially no limit to your happiness!"
Careerbuilder.fr
Posted on February 18, 2013.
Dr. Steven Reiss, professor of psychology and psychiatry at Ohio State University, and author of the book "Who Am I?": The 16 basic desires that motivate our actions and define our personality, discovered that happiness and satisfaction with one's own life do not stem from experiencing pleasure and avoiding pain, but from the feeling that our life has meaning and follows a precise goal. He calls this "value-based happiness" and assures that we all experience this when we satisfy our deepest desires.
After conducting studies involving more than 6,000 people from all walks of life, Dr. Reiss identified 16 universal desires that govern all significant behavior. Based on this research, he then developed a test called "Reiss Profiles", which measures the degree of individual values and each person's desires and reveals their sustainable life goals, psychological needs and personality traits.
Although the "Reiss Profiles" contain more than 100 questions, he has nevertheless accepted the use of this simplified version, designed to help you identify your expectations of life and work.
Read the following statements relating to each basic desire. If they correspond perfectly to you, write a "+ ". If they describe you moderately, write "0". If they only correspond to you very little, write "-"
1) Curiosity: I thirst for knowledge.
2) Recognition: I have difficulty coping with criticism.
3) Order: It bothers me when things are not in their place.
4) Physical activity: Physical maintenance is very important to me.
5) Honor: I am a principled and loyal person.
6) Power: I often seek leadership roles.
7) Independence: Autonomy is essential to my happiness.
8) Social contact: I am known to be a pleasant person.
9) Family: My children come first.
10) Status: I am impressed by people who own expensive things.
11) Idealism: Compared to others, I feel concerned about social causes.
12) Revenge: It is very important for me to settle scores with people who insult or offend me.
13) Love: Compared to my friends, I spend more time "hunting" or making love.
14) Food: I love to eat and I often dream of food.
15) Saving: I hate throwing things away.
16) Tranquility: It scares me when my heart beats fast.
Now, look at your "+"s. They are your priorities and you must have at least 5 or 6.
"Once you know your deep values, one of the best ways to become happier is to find a job that fulfills them," says Reiss. "For example, if you avoid power or dislike being a leader, you won't enjoy leading a large team of staff."
"If you have a strong desire for recognition, don't choose a job that exposes you to evaluations or other criticism; if you prioritize order, look for a profession with minimal ambiguities; and if you are curious, find a job that makes you think!"
Reiss shows how a desire for status and competition drives many securities brokers. He suggests that when evaluating a job, you understand the types of tasks you will be doing throughout the day, week, and year. Then compare these with your strongest desires and make sure that what you will do each day will be a source of happiness for you.
But Reiss warns; it's not just about the job itself; ideally, your value system should also match that of the industry, the company, and your boss. For example, Julie, who identified her strongest desires as those of honor, social contact, food, idealism and curiosity, loved her sales job in a large food group, until she was managed by a routine boss who pushed her to lie to her clients and superiors.
"To successfully manage their careers and enjoy life, people need to have a job and a work environment that is compatible with their deep desires," concludes Reiss. "By doing repetitive things that correspond to your values, there is then no limit to the feeling that your life has meaning and especially no limit to your happiness!"
Careerbuilder.fr
Posted on February 18, 2013.
