Tip: How to make the best part of your work-life better?
One of the longest running and most famous studies is Harvard’s 85-year research project on health. Researchers gathered health records from 724 people from all over the world, asking detailed questions about their lives at two-year intervals. When subjects reached retirement researchers found their biggest challenge “was not being able to replace the social connections that had sustained them for so long at work.” Yes, at work!
Wherever you are in your life right now, this look at the future is eye-opening. If you feel you’re too busy to invest in meaningful work friendships, if you believe family and friends are enough, if you are missing the friendships that happened before remote work, the below listed questions are useful.
“To create more meaningful connections, ask yourself:
--Who are the people I most enjoy working with, and what makes them valuable to me? Am I appreciating them?
--What kinds of connections am I missing that I want more of? How can I make them happen?
--Is there someone I’d like to know better? How can I reach out to them?
--If I’m having conflict with a coworker, what can I do to alleviate it?
--Who is different from me in some way (thinks differently, comes from a different background, has a different expertise)? What can I learn from them?”
These are great questions to ask yourself, and they are also action steps.
To read the full CNBC article, An 85-year Harvard study on happiness found the No. 1 retirement challenge that ‘no one talks about’ click here.
SHEPA LEARNING COMPANY WEEKLY POSITIVE NETWORKING® TIP
No. 1005, April 12, 2023
By Gayle Hallgren and Judy Thomson