Research shows that when we’re in a good mood, our brains are 31% more productive. The trick, writes Jess Stuart, is learning how to create that mood at work.
We tend to think that working harder is the secret to getting more done. But what if the real key to productivity wasn’t hustle or time management, but happiness?
It may sound too good to be true, especially in a world that sometimes seems to celebrate burnout as a badge of honour. But research and my own experience show that when we feel better, we perform better. And that’s not just good for business, it’s good for people.
Happy staff perform better
In workplaces across Aotearoa, the conversation is slowly shifting. We’re starting to question whether pushing ourselves to the brink is really the only way to succeed. Spoiler alert: it’s not. Happiness isn’t a soft, fluffy extra, it’s a powerful performance tool. Extensive research over a six-month period in 2019 by Oxford Business School found that happy employees were 13% more productive.
Closer to home, Massey University research this year demonstrated the role happiness plays. According to their study, the happiest employees showed remarkable differences in performance. They were:
- 2.4 times more likely to be in the top group for helping co-workers
- 3.1 times more likely to be in the top group for helping their organisation
- 3.4 times more likely to be among the most innovative employees.
Can we be happy at work?
I remember as a young kid sitting around family dinner tables hearing relatives talk about how much they hated their boss or their job and how they were counting down the days until retirement. I knew they were busy putting food on the table and paying off mortgages, and I thought this was how work worked. We weren’t supposed to enjoy it, it was about the money we needed to do the things we could enjoy – if we had any time and energy left over.
Thankfully my experience was different, although I had to be proactive. I decided this approach to life didn't work for me and I set about changing things. I found work I loved, that brought me meaning and also put food on the table.
This started with ‘how’ I worked, building in breaks, not working overtime and extra hours and building boundaries around my emails and working from home. It was also about ‘what’ work I was doing too; seeking out work that played to my strengths and people I enjoyed being around. I wanted work that gave me meaning, an impact I could see in the wider community that made it worthwhile getting out of bed in the morning. Something that challenged me to grow but didn’t give me night sweats due to stress.
Author Jess Stuart speaks to Breakfast about the real key to workplace productivity. (Source: Breakfast)
Happiness fuels success
To start getting a picture of this for others, I like to ask clients to consider what their best day at work looks like. This helps to guide their thinking on work and happiness. What are you doing on this perfect day? Who with? Why does it bring you joy?
Positive psychology research tells us that happiness fuels success, not the other way around. When we’re in a good mood, our brains are 31% more productive, according to Harvard researcher Shawn Achor, he calls this the Happiness Advantage. Happy employees are also more engaged, more creative, and better at solving problems.
It makes sense. When you're calm and confident, you're more likely to take initiative, collaborate well with others, and bounce back from setbacks. When you're stressed and depleted, everything takes longer and feels harder.
The morning's headlines in 90 seconds, including a fire at an Auckland chapel, new plan for international students, and a first time Wimbledon winner. (Source: 1News)
Why it's a game-changer for productivity
When we prioritise happiness, improved work becomes the by-product. Happy people have:
- Better focus: Positive emotions broaden our perspective and help us notice more, improving problem-solving and decision-making.
- More energy: When we’re not bogged down by stress or resentment, we have more mental and emotional bandwidth to do good work.
- Higher resilience: Happiness doesn’t remove challenges, but it gives us more capacity to deal with them.
- Stronger relationships: A positive outlook builds better teamwork, which is key in most roles today.
Compare that to when you’re running on empty, constantly reacting, fighting fires, and dreading Monday before it even arrives. That’s not sustainable, and it’s not your best work. It also has a flow-on impact to our health. Prioritising happiness is not just good for business it’s good for our lives, too.
6 tips to hack happiness
The good news is you don’t need to change jobs, win Lotto or become a different person. Happiness isn’t something we have or don’t have, it’s something we can cultivate. Like any skill, it grows with practice. Here are some evidence-backed ways to boost your happiness (and productivity) at work:
1. Start your day with intention
Before diving into emails, take five minutes to plan your priorities or reflect on something you're grateful for. It sets the tone for the day.
2. Take real breaks
Step away from your screen, go outside, stretch, or just breathe. Microbreaks restore focus and reduce mental fatigue , even two minutes makes a difference.
3. Do work that matters (to you)
Look for small ways to align your strengths or values with your tasks. Even reframing how you see your job can help. For example, “I’m just a customer service rep” becomes “I help people solve problems every day".
4. Connect with people
Whether it’s a quick chat in the kitchen or a laugh with a colleague, connection is a natural mood-booster and it strengthens team trust.
5. Celebrate wins, even the small ones
Finishing a project, having a great client call, or just surviving a tough week? Acknowledge it. Progress fuels positivity.
6. Be kind to yourself
You’re not a robot. Some days are hard, and that's okay. Self-compassion boosts motivation more than harsh self-criticism ever could.
With a background in HR, Jess Stuart is now a Waiheke-based career coach and the author of several books including: Burnout to Brilliance and I Love Mondays.
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