Sten Vesterli's Blog

Making IT Live up to its Promise

Tag: Gratitude

What does work?

Spiritual Programmer, ,

Two factors affect your happiness. For most people, one of these is clearly dominant. For happy people, they are in balance.

The factor that decreases your happiness is all the things that don’t work. It is the bugs in your code, the meaningless bureaucracy you are subject to, and the constant deluge of bad news from our media. This information is constantly forced upon us from the outside.

The factor that can increase your happiness is all the things that do work. But the media rarely report good news, and your boss rarely comes by your desk to express his appreciation for all the systems that are working flawlessly. That means that you have to provide the good news yourself.

Make a habit of appreciating something every day. The code that runs just as it should, the train that was on time, the friend that called you. It is up to you to keep your life in balance.

Making The Most of Your Time

Spiritual Programmer, ,

As if the Afghan people did not have enough problems already, they have also just been hit by an earthquake. People are fleeing war and prosecution all over the world. If you are sitting in a comfy office working on your computer, spend a moment appreciating the good hand you’ve been dealt. Then reflect on what you are spending your life on. Are you really making the most of the talents and situation you have been given?

Compliment Someone

Spiritual Programmer, ,

Did you compliment anyone today? I’m not talking about your colleagues’ looks – don’t enter that minefield. But remember to appreciate your co-workers and team members when they do good work.

Complimenting other people is an under-utilized superpower. It costs nothing and makes both you and the receiver feel better. Today is #WorldComplimentDay. Be part of the movement 😉

Thank Someone

Spiritual Programmer

Remember to thank other people. It’s easier to thank a colleague when you meet him or her in the office than thanking them via Zoom. That’s why most people are not expressing gratitude during lockdown like they used to.

Telling someone else that you are thankful for their contribution will improve their day. It will improve your day, too, and it costs you nothing. Science also shows that expressing gratitude reduces stress hormones and has a host of other health benefits.

Make a note to yourself to thank someone for something this week. Putting a “Thank you” post-it note on your computer will remind you. And just watching the note will lift your own mood.