The Happiness Institute discuss ‘hump day’ and happiness

Wednesday is the middle of the working week for most Australians. Some people call it ‘hump day’. The reason being that they probably feel that if they can get over the ‘hump’, then it will be a downhill run towards the weekend and the promise of fun.

This line of thought could be interpreted to mean that people write off the first half of the week, then live in hope during the second half of the week that they might, if they're lucky, enjoy some fun and happiness over the weekend.

Dr Sharp, positive psychology expert and founder of The Happiness Institute , suggests taking a more positive perspective. He says although it is not completely irrational to feel this way about the working week, as not everyone is lucky enough to be able to work in a job for which they're really passionate, it doesn't quite seem like a sensible strategy. If you look at it from a statistical vantage, many of these people are giving up on 5/7 of their week and cling to the hope that they might enjoy the remaining 2/7.

Dr Sharp says there is a better way to get through a working week. He acknowledges that not everyone can do what they love but has no doubt that many more people could do what they loved, and if not, learn to love what they do!

So rather than giving up on all those work hours, Dr Sharp suggests giving some thought to the following strategies which should help people to enjoy more happiness and other positive emotions when in the office.

Dr Sharp recommends that people should consider ways in which they can change what they do in order to enjoy what they do more. He also advises talking to the appropriate people about ‘crafting’ their ideal job.

If people are unable to change what they do, they can look into changing the way they feel about what they do and focus as much as possible on all the best aspects of their role, as well the best aspects of the people with whom they work. Finally, Dr Sharp says that it is important to focus on ones strengths and incorporate their strengths more in what they do.