Work and Happiness

LIFE & CULTUREBUSINESS SETTING

by HAO Training - Business English Education

9/30/20245 min read

Section 1

Presentation of the Topic

Topic:
In this lesson, we will explore how work can contribute to happiness. This is not simply about achieving financial success or gaining power and recognition, but about finding true joy and satisfaction in the work we do. The key concepts are earned success and service to others. Understanding these ideas and applying them in the workplace can lead to a more fulfilling professional life.

Key Concepts from the video:

  1. Work and Happiness

    • While work can lead to happiness, it’s important to understand that worldly markers of success (such as money, power, or job titles) do not automatically bring happiness.

    • To truly be happy at work, people need two main elements: earned success and service to others.

  2. Earned Success

    • Earned success is the feeling that your work is creating value, either for yourself or others, and that this value is recognized and acknowledged.

    • It is the opposite of learned helplessness, where an individual feels like their efforts do not make a difference, leading to frustration and dissatisfaction.

    • Managers and leaders play a crucial role in recognizing and promoting their employees' successes, which contributes to job satisfaction.

  3. Service to Others

    • This concept is about feeling that your job contributes positively to the lives of others.

    • Even small acts of kindness, such as helping a colleague with a simple task, can increase job satisfaction. Humans are naturally wired to derive joy from helping others, and this service mindset can transform the work experience.

  4. Joy in Work

    • The combination of earned success, service to others, and doing something you’re good at leads to job satisfaction and happiness.

    • No matter the type of job, if employees feel they are making a difference and being acknowledged, their work will be meaningful, and they will enjoy their roles.

Section 2

Story Using the Key Concepts

Story Title:
Achieving Happiness at Work: Sarah’s Journey

Sarah had been working at a large marketing firm for several years. She had achieved a high level of success, earning a good salary, receiving promotions, and even being admired by her colleagues. Yet, despite all these markers of success, Sarah felt unfulfilled. Every day, she found herself going through the motions, but something was missing. She wondered why she wasn’t happy, even though she had all the things people said would bring happiness—money, a good job title, and recognition.

One day, Sarah’s company brought in a consultant to speak about job satisfaction. The consultant explained that happiness at work wasn’t just about climbing the corporate ladder or earning a paycheck. Instead, true joy came from earned success and serving others.

This idea intrigued Sarah. She realized that even though she had achieved professional success, she wasn’t finding meaning in her work. She didn’t feel like she was truly creating value or contributing to the lives of others.

Inspired by the consultant’s talk, Sarah decided to make a change. She started by seeking opportunities to serve others in small ways. She began offering help to her colleagues, whether it was reviewing their work or simply grabbing coffee for them during a hectic afternoon. Over time, Sarah noticed something amazing—she started to enjoy her work more. Her interactions with her colleagues became more meaningful, and she felt a sense of purpose.

At the same time, Sarah’s manager noticed the positive changes. Her manager started recognizing her contributions more often, which gave Sarah the feeling of earned success. She felt valued, not just for her skills, but for her effort in helping others. The acknowledgment from her manager motivated her to keep improving and contributing to the company.

As Sarah continued focusing on both earned success and serving others, she found herself more motivated and genuinely happy at work. She realized that while financial success and recognition were important, what really brought her joy was knowing that her work was making a difference, both to her company and her colleagues.

Section 3

Reading Comprehension and Test

Test:

  1. What did Sarah initially have in her career that many people associate with success?
    a) A large family
    b) A job she enjoyed
    c) Money, promotions, and recognition
    d) A small marketing firm

  2. According to the consultant, what is the key to happiness at work?
    a) Working fewer hours
    b) Helping others and earning success
    c) Getting a higher salary
    d) Changing jobs regularly

  3. What did Sarah realize was missing from her work life?
    a) A higher position in the company
    b) A sense of value and purpose
    c) A better work-life balance
    d) More vacation time

  4. How did Sarah start serving others at her workplace?
    a) By giving motivational speeches
    b) By helping colleagues and doing small tasks like getting coffee
    c) By creating new company policies
    d) By taking on extra projects

  5. How did Sarah’s manager contribute to her increased job satisfaction?
    a) By offering her a higher salary
    b) By recognizing her contributions and efforts
    c) By giving her more responsibility
    d) By sending her to more conferences

  6. What concept describes the opposite of earned success?
    a) Job satisfaction
    b) Learned helplessness
    c) Career growth
    d) Financial instability

  7. What positive change did Sarah experience after she started focusing on helping others?
    a) She felt more motivated and happy at work
    b) She decided to leave her job for a new company
    c) She received a significant promotion
    d) She stopped interacting with her colleagues

  8. Why is earned success important for job satisfaction?
    a) It guarantees a higher salary
    b) It gives employees the feeling that their efforts are recognized and valued
    c) It allows employees to work fewer hours
    d) It leads to more promotions and job titles

  9. According to the story, why do small acts of kindness, like getting coffee for a colleague, help increase job satisfaction?
    a) They reduce the overall workload
    b) They remind people of their job title
    c) They help employees feel they are contributing to others
    d) They create a sense of competition in the office

  10. What realization did Sarah come to by the end of the story?
    a) Money and promotions are the most important factors in job happiness
    b) True happiness at work comes from creating value and serving others
    c) Her company’s policies needed to change
    d) She needed to take on more projects to feel fulfilled

Answer Key

This lesson combines the concepts of earned success and serving others with practical business English to help learners grasp how they can find joy and fulfillment in their work lives.

Key Vocabulary - read this vocabulary before playing the video below.

  1. Earned Success

    • Definition: A feeling of accomplishment or achievement when you know that your work has created value and has been recognized by others.

    • Example: Sarah felt earned success when her manager praised her for helping her colleagues.

  2. Service to Others

    • Definition: The act of helping or providing benefits to other people through your work or actions.

    • Example: Offering assistance to your coworkers is a form of service to others.

  3. Worldly Success

    • Definition: Achieving success that is measured by external factors like money, power, or job titles.

    • Example: Many people believe that worldly success will make them happy, but it often doesn’t.

  4. Learned Helplessness

    • Definition: A psychological state in which a person feels they cannot change their situation or make a difference, even when they actually can.

    • Example: After failing several times, John experienced learned helplessness and stopped trying.

  5. Recognition

    • Definition: The act of being acknowledged or appreciated for something you have done.

    • Example: When her hard work was recognized, Emily felt motivated to keep improving.

  6. Meritocracy

    • Definition: A system in which people are rewarded or advanced based on their skills, abilities, or achievements rather than their social status or other factors.

    • Example: In a meritocracy, people who work hard and show results are the ones who get promoted.

  7. Fulfillment

    • Definition: A feeling of satisfaction or happiness because of doing something meaningful or worthwhile.

    • Example: Mark found fulfillment in his job when he realized he was helping his team succeed.

  8. Value

    • Definition: The importance, worth, or usefulness of something, especially in the context of what you contribute through your work.

    • Example: When your work provides value to the company, you feel more motivated and satisfied.

  9. Contribute

    • Definition: To give or add something, such as effort or ideas, to a larger cause or goal.

    • Example: Each employee should contribute to the success of the company by doing their best work.

  10. Job Satisfaction

    • Definition: The feeling of happiness and contentment you get from your work.

    • Example: Employees with high job satisfaction tend to be more productive and stay longer in their jobs.