You probably spend more time at work than anywhere else. You’ve made friends, established routines, and maybe even found a second family. So why not make the most of it? Creating happy memories at work can boost morale, increase productivity, and make going to work more enjoyable. Here are a few tips to get you started:
Take Photos of Your Favorite Moments
Whether a group photo in the break room or a selfie at your desk, taking pictures with your favorite co-workers is a great way to capture happy memories. You can even turn it into a contest and see who can take the most creative weekly photo. Capture other memorable moments, such as completing a big project or someone’s birthday celebration.
Sharing and preserving the photos is as important as capturing the moment. Consider an 8mm film transfer method that transforms the physical film into a digital format if using analog cameras. The effort will organize and protect the memories for years. It also makes sharing, captioning, posting, or printing photos easier.
Make Videos of Hilarious Moments
Videos are a fun way to capture and document happy memories. They add sound and movement to the moment, making them even more special. Use your phone or a camcorder to record short clips throughout the day or week. You can even put together a montage of your favorite moments.
Remember to get permission from everyone who appears in the video before you share it. Post some of the moments on the company’s social media page or website to boost employee morale. The exercise also gives your business a human face that customers can connect with.
Host Regular Office Parties
Office parties enable employees to let loose, have fun, connect and mingle with co-workers, and create happy memories. Schedule them regularly so that everyone can look forward to the next one.
Plan fun activities, such as themed dress-up days, potluck lunches, karaoke nights, or group outings. Let employees know that these are mandatory fun days where they can let their hair down and relax. Remember to reward employees who come up with the best ideas for office parties.
The parties can also include employees’ close family members. It makes everyone feel like they’re part of a more prominent family, builds stronger relationships, and creates happy memories long after the event.
Encourage After-Work Activities
After-work activities include anything employees do together outside work, such as playing on a sports team, going to happy hour, or taking cooking classes. These activities enable employees to relax, bond, and create happy memories.
The activities also give employees something to look forward to after a long day or week at work. Consider everyone’s preferences, schedules, and skills when planning. You can even rotate who gets to choose the activity each week or month.
Write About Your Favorite Memories
Writing is a great way to document and preserve happy memories. Start a work diary or blog and write about your favorite moments. Include details like what you were doing, who was there, what you talked about, and how you felt.
You can even write about moments that are yet to happen, but you’re looking forward to, such as an upcoming office party or group outing. The act of writing itself is therapeutic and relives the moment.
Collect Mementos
Mementos are physical reminders of happy memories you keep and look at whenever you want. They can be photos, videos, tickets, programs, or physical objects. Ask everyone to contribute their favorite mementos to a communal scrapbook or memory box.
Create a digital version by starting a shared photo album or folder. Add captions or comments to explain the significance of each memento. It’s a great way to document and share happy and sad memories.
The Effort Pays Off
Making your workplace happy, inviting, and fun is easy and inexpensive. The effort makes you look forward to going to work and enables employees to build strong relationships. Employees work harder to accomplish the set goals and keep clients satisfied when they are happy. As you will realize, it pays to invest in workplace happiness.
