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How To Give Joy & Happiness To Your Co-Workers In A Virtual Office

Who could do with a bit of joy & happiness right now? It has been nearly one year since most of our workplaces have had to shift to working virtually. Now more than ever, we need those happy hormones that are created by the act of giving because for many of us, the novelty and curiosity of working from home has transformed to feelings of monotony and ennui. It’s probably beginning to feel like you’re living in that 1993 Bill Murray movie, Groundhog Day. Thankfully, the global trajectory is slowly moving toward a positive direction, and we just have to hold on for a little while longer. Let’s keep strengthening our workplace friendships and camaraderie through the act of giving.

The beauty of workplace gives in a virtual office is that it isn’t materialistic. It’s not about the physical things that we can get for one another. Instead it’s about giving one another those nonphysical items – connection, companionship, a break from the mundane – which hold more value, and are items that most of us crave.  Here are a number of ways we can give these intangibles to one another in a virtual office.

Give Each Other A Virtual Wine Wednesday

In the pre-pandemic days, it was probably common for co-workers to unwind with a few drinks after work. Maybe it was to celebrate someone’s birthday, or a successful project, or as a way to commiserate on a work item that didn’t go quite as planned. If there are wine aficionados in your group, you could implement a Virtual Wine Wednesday. Everyone can order the same wine and you could taste it together, or everyone can simply sip on any kind of wine they have at home. You could make it even more informal and just have everyone arrive with any chosen beverage. The details aren’t as important as the creation of a social atmosphere amongst one another.

Give Each Other A Netflix Club

Netflix and other streaming services have been a staple during the pandemic. So why not use that to add some novelty to our workdays? You could slightly formalize your team’s binge TV habits by organizing a Netflix club. Similar to a book club, it’s a great opportunity to get together and develop those workplace relationships. Set a timeframe to give everyone a chance to watch a particular movie or TV show, and pick a day to get together and discuss what you’ve watched. Tip: assign a moderator to structure the conversation and keep the discourse flowing nicely. Schedule your group discussion over lunch hour to help break up your day, while allowing you to keep other personal time for the recommended shows.

Give Each Other Virtual Fitness

On the other end of the spectrum, you could organize online fitness classes to combat the increasingly sedentary lifestyle that a virtual workplace affords. Sitting is the new smoking, and we spend a lot of time doing it. There are a number of physical health and fitness classes that your office can partake in virtually. There could be yoga classes to strengthen your group’s spirit and mobility. Or perhaps a simple dance class to get everyone off their chairs and on their feet. The benefit of a virtual class is that everyone has the option to turn their cameras off to accommodate their personal comfort level. This way, everyone from junior members to the CEO is given the space and freedom to comfortably shake their groove thang unapologetically.

Give Each Other A Virtual Awards Ceremony

Most workplaces have taken on giving one another virtual accolades and shout-outs.  Why not consider formalizing it a little for the sake of celebration and breaking away from the mundane? Perhaps your company could organize a virtual awards ceremony. There could be a host, a virtual musical performance, and some awards categories, ranging from the silly (“Most Likely to be on Mute”) to the slightly more serious (“Most Sales for the Month”). If it’s in the budget, members of your team could be given a gift card for a food delivery service, so they can eat while the celebrations are happening. Again, the details are secondary. The value of this give is the act of giving your team something to look forward to and break away from the mundane. This also works for your suppliers and customers. Think of some creative ways to include them in your awards ceremony to make this a give outside the four walls of your office and appreciate those important people who help you make your business work!

Give Each Other A Social Committee For Greater Joy & Happiness

There are people who absolutely love planning these events (Personally, I am not one of these people. I am however, excellent at attending parties!). So lean into their strengths and create a social committee to keep these virtual gives going. As the social committee plans more gives for the duration of your virtual workplace, they are being given a chance to do something that drives them and a sense of purpose. Everybody wins! Include not only virtual events for those at work, but reach out to local community organizations that could benefit from a give.

How’s It Going At Work? Is There Joy & Happiness?

How are you and your co-workers doing during these unpredictable times? How do you show support for one another? As everyone navigates the pressure of working during an increasingly unique set of circumstances, remember to give yourself some gentleness. It can be difficult for everyone as the situation changes every day. If you need some extra support or ideas to add a giving routine to your work place to increase joy and happiness, sign up for your 365 give membership. There’s plenty of information. There’s plenty of inspiration.

What people are saying about 365give

“I wanted to express my gratitude for the teaching you provided today. Your message was delivered eloquently, compassionately, and without judgment. The kids were engaged, and now have knowledge with which they can change the world. We all appreciated how you took the time to help us learn to build positive mindsets and practice happiness.”
Shelley Gardner, Grade 6 Ridgeview Elementary (West Vancouver)
“Actions really do speak louder than words, which is why I believe the 365give Challenge has resonated throughout my community. Every give we do is so important to us and leaves us happier and appreciating our lives a little bit more than before.”
Mahina Niyozova (Tajikistan)
“After watching the 365give TEDx Talk, I was inspired to join and begin a daily giving program in India. Today, along with 12 other volunteer women, we provide 100 meals to local underprivileged children in Bangalore for school every day.”
Deepika Ahuja, Mom (Bangalore, India)
“My life has greater meaning now.”
Renate Jorge, @BeKindBrazil and 365give Member, Family Program (Brazil)
“I just wanted to share that 365give really helped me. I am a better person now, thank you.”
MayLee, 365give Member, Individual Program
“This 365give Challenge has really injected excitement and extra enthusiasm in each work day as I think about what we can do. It has motivated me and the students.”
Cristina Peters, School Counselor (New York City, USA)
“I have seen a huge shift in energy throughout my classroom since doing the 365give Challenge. The Challenge has empowered my students to make a positive difference in the school’s community and beyond.”
Cella Adriana, Special Needs Educator /The Holliswood School (New York City, USA)
“The 365give Challenge helps students understand their impact on others. It opens avenues for introducing and discussing global and local issues in classrooms. It is powerful to watch students of all ages think about how they can make a change in another person’s life with one small act.”
Jessica Hall, Primary Teacher, French Immersion at École Pauline Johnson (West Vancouver, Canada)