Happy people are better workers.

An article in The Observer yesterday talked about a recent study on the relationship between happiness & productivity. The finds? When people are happy, they are most efficient. So, while you refill your coffee cup this morning, consider that you will get more done (hello raise?) if you perk up & get happy. Another way of looking at it is: When you come back from lunch 20 minutes late, point your boss to the newspaper article & tell him that you're happy to have gotten some fresh air & good food & will now be a diligent little worker bee. Well, maybe avoid the latter of the two. But I do think the article is interesting.

I actually find that being productive makes me more productive. When I work in the morning, & I get a lot done, then I feel more productive (schoolwork-wise) in the afternoon after I leave work. Okay, well, I say this, but it hasn't really been happening lately. I just can't get back into the dissertation groove. It's a new week, though, & I feel good about it!

Actually, I think I have been productive, but just with other things. I've started getting my Etsy shop together, and (as you can see) I'm revamping my blog. My favorite part so far is the white border on all the photos. It's not done yet, though. I have a banner to put up & will probably do a bit more tweaking. Oh, but I do have to ask: Is my new layout too wide? I like wide, but for netbook users etc I'm not sure if it's too much. Let me know if it is.

What makes you more productive?

Happy Monday! (Literally.)

<3

Blah-De-Blah-De-Blah

I'm happy because of:
* drinks at a [secret] classy bar with two of my housemates. (You have to ring the doorbell to get in, and they have to approve. The inside is super classy, and the drinks are delicious and strong.)
* my new job. (Yes, I have a job!!! As an intern with the University of Bristol! I'll be helping to set up the Blackboard online teaching site for next year's units. It's temporary and part-time and should be cool. And it would be sweet if it gave me an in for a permanent job in the future...)
* KENYA in less than two weeks!
* Rogue Wave's new CD (especially the song "I'll Never Leave You")
* planning a european adventure for this summer. (I'll be going with Jonty, and some or all of my housemates, and possibly a friend or two roaming in Europe. We'll definitely be going to Berlin, maybe staying with one housemate's parents in the south of France, possibly popping over to Prague, and who knows what else!)
* seeing Alice in Wonderland in 3-D tomorrow with some friends.
* yummy made-up stir-fry for dinner. (Stir fry is my new favorite food to make. More versatile than pasta.)
* being in love.

<3

Passing on the Happiness

Hello blog readers! Sorry for being MIA these past couple of stressful weeks. I'm now on Spring Break for a whole month, so in between my researching & essay preparing, I'll have more time to post (& hopefully to finally redecorate my Blogger space)!

Today I want to thank Barry from Life in Quotations for bestowing upon me the Happy 101 Award! Barry's posts are at times funny, deep, inspirational, or even a bit crude, but always worth a read!

Here are the rules for the award:

1. Copy & paste the award on your blog.
2. Name the person who gave the award to you and link to their blog (or hyperlink).
3. List 10 things that make you happy.
4. Pass the award on to other bloggers and visit their blog to let them know.

Things that make me happy:

1. Copying quotes down onto Post-it notes and sticking them everywhere.

2. Polaroid pictures.

3. Preparing for an upcoming travel adventure (you know, like, for my trip to KENYA!).

4. Jasmine green tea. Seriously, it's happiness in a cup.

5. Talking to my family & friends across the world face-to-face thanks to Skype.

6. Getting a sweet little message from Jonty.

7. Inventing a new recipe - that turns out edible.

8. Moving the furniture in my bedroom.

9. Surprises in the mail.

10. Inside jokes.

[I'm adding a #11: Changing seasons!!! Happy first day of spring!]

I pass this on to:

Stephanie (aka Sissa) of Observations & Musings of a Bystander

Nicki of this is as real as it gets

Bored@Work of Cubicle Confusion

Sobrina of Quiet Like Horses

Blog on, friends!

<3