Online Reporter
Rutendo Gwatidzo
Changing Perspectives
THE month of November is about to come to an end and it feels like yesterday when the year begun.
A significant number of people are behind in terms of meeting their targets and this is something not to be taken for granted.
In a world surrounded by challenges, is it really possible to find happiness? Work, family, friends, church and everywhere else one can go, challenges speak louder.
Almost everywhere you turn to, you come across one or more of statements like, “this one owes that one and is failing to pay”.
There are also a lot of unmet expectations for different groups of people. For instance, “my pastor did not do this, my wife is not this or my husband is failing to do this, my child this and my neighbour that.”
The list of such statements is long. Disappointments seem to dominate almost in every aspect of life.
Happiness has become and is often portrayed as an elusive destination but, in reality, it is a journey that unfolds through our choices and perspectives. One author once said, “Happiness is not something ready-made. It comes from your own actions.”
This profound statement emphasises that happiness is not a by-product of external circumstances but rather a result of our internal mindset. I know that someone is probably beginning to wonder on the how part of it.
I used to see one of my pastors and his wife ever happy and I was wondering if they live in a different world from others, without challenges. When I asked them the secret to their happiness, they shared something profound.
To cultivate happiness, start by prioritising gratitude. Acknowledging the positive aspects of your life can shift your focus from what’s lacking to what’s abundant. Consider maintaining a gratitude journal, where you write down three things you are thankful for each day.
Additionally, engage in activities that bring you joy — whether it’s spending time with loved ones, pursuing hobbies, or connecting with nature. Make a conscious effort to carve out time each week for activities that nourish your soul. Whether it’s painting, hiking, or cooking, immersing yourself in what you love can significantly enhance your happiness.
I happened to be privileged to be part of the John Maxwell Leadership Training together with others this year. When I inquired on the same subject with the leaders who were part of the training, they shared a number of things.
Fostering meaningful relationships and contributing to the well-being of others can enhance your sense of fulfilment. Acts of kindness not only uplift those around you but, also create a positive feedback loop that nurtures your own happiness. Volunteering for a cause you care about or simply helping a friend in need can provide a profound sense of accomplishment and connection.
I have been a human capital executive as an HR Consultant for a number of years now and whenever I come across a topic of interest, I enjoy hearing insights from the corporate people. As I enquired with them on the same topic, we came across a number of interesting areas.
One of the challenges in many organisations is that of having grumpy employees as well as managers. A lot of end of month reports are usually accompanied by unmet goals and targets and on a monthly basis, the number of employees who get laid off is ever increasing due to poor performance.
Unmet expectations between managers and employees are on the rise on a daily basis and the situation has created hostile environments within organisations. The question then rings out loud, “is it possible to find happiness in the corporate world? Where can one find happiness? In search of answers, a significant number of employees adopted the habit from hoping from one job to another.
When I engaged with gurus from different industries, I came across helpful information that I hope will be of use to someone who reads this article. Firstly, remember that happiness is not a destination but a way of living. By consciously choosing to focus on your strengths instead of your weaknesses, you find yourself excelling in the areas that you are good at and in the process of doing well.
Think about it, “how many people talk about the weaknesses of Mr Strive Masiyiwa compared to his strengths?” We also have great people like the great business leaders like Dr Divine Ndhlukula just to mention a few.
How many people can honestly write a book of their weaknesses? Rather, it can only be books of their great positive impact but, does this mean that they do not have weaknesses?
Allow me to leave you with this food for thought as I challenge and encourage you to begin to focus on what you do best. When you excel, you find happiness in almost everything. Be inspired to be mindful about searching for happiness.
Rutendo Gwatidzo is a Human Capital Executive as the Managing Consultant at The HUB HR Consultancy. She is a multi-award winning business leader, Transformational Speaker and Coach. She is also an Author of Born to Fight and Breaking the Silence books. Contact detail – 0714575805/ [email protected]/Rutendo Gwatidzo_Official FB public page
