Author: Stephanie Hills

  • New pharmacist

    I started my new job today. It’s in the chemist just down the road. This bloke walked in and said, “I feel terrible, I’ve got a thumping headache, earache, sore throat and a runny nose. Have you got anything?” I said, “No, l feel fine.”

  • Hardwiring Happiness

    Hardwiring Happiness: The new brain science of contentment, calm and confidence. By Rick Hanson, PhD. Using a warm, readable style, Rick Hanson uses neuroscience to explain how our needs for safety, satisfaction and connection have evolved to have us focussing on the negative, a trait less than healthy in modern society. By ‘taking in the […]

  • Encourage the Changes You’d Like to See

    Puppy training courses emphasise the importance of rewarding the behaviours that you want your dog to do more of; a focus markedly more effective than simply punishing unwanted behaviours. Once the dog has learned what’s expected, it doesn’t need a ‘treat’ every time, but an approving nod or pat will let your pet know that […]

  • Busy doctor’s surgery

    A man calls his doctor’s surgery for an appointment.Receptionist: “I’m sorry, but we’re very busy. You’ll have to wait at least two weeks.”Man: “But I could be dead by then!”Receptionist: “No problem. If your wife lets us know, we’ll cancel the appointment.”

  • A lovely library experience

    Ute from Ngaruawahia sent in this gem: “With all the things computerised, I loved the personal attention I got from our lovely library ladies when I was looking for a special book. They made me feel like a person and we joked and chatted also about stuff that was not related to my search. It’s […]

  • Workplace culture includes you!

    What makes the difference between a job you love and one you hate? Research has shown that while low salary and poor working conditions can lower your job satisfaction, the things that make you feel good about work are not the material things but the human factors. Recognition, responsibility and believing that you are doing […]

  • Be Happier at Work: Online course

    Are you ready to take your co-operation skills to the next level and unlock the key to true job satisfaction and pleasure? This short course is open to anyone from any workplace. Thursdays 2, 9, 23 and 30 November 4 x 2hour sessions 9am – 11am https://www.grow.co.nz/be-happier-at-work

  • Hard workers

    Two labourers were working for the city. One would dig a hole; dig, dig, dig. The other would come behind him and fill the hole; fill, fill, fill. These two men worked furiously. One digging a hole, the other filling it up again. A man watching was impressed at how hard these men were working, […]

  • Happiness is a Serious Matter

    “Too many people confuse being serious with being solemn.” These are the words of comedian John Cleese. He’s right; we tend to associate importance with solemnity and to assume that cheerfulness belongs only with amusing trivialities. I believe the reason comes down to our language, which conflates two different meanings in the word ‘serious.’  On […]

  • The Art and Science of Happiness

    This half-day workplace-based workshop is a great opportunity for a team to come together to enhance individual and workplace happiness. You’ll learn the science behind factors that increase happiness and there’ll be opportunities to come up with your own ideas for lifting your spirits at work and in life generally. The workshop is informative, interactive […]