This week the economy dominates the headlines again with the inflation figures to-day, the Monetary Policy Committee’s minutes on Wednesday and later in the week the Retail Sales figures and public sector finances data. Not a lot of happiness there then.

A tanking economy is something of a downer so when the going gets tough what do you turn to? For many of us it is food or drink or both; perhaps the infamous Greggs Jaffa Cake Doughnut or the ubiquitous special coffee. Whatever your weakness does consuming it give you pleasure?

According to Peterson, Park & Seligman in the Journal of Happiness Studies 6 (2005) there are three elements to a happy life:

• Pleasure
• Engagement
• Meaning

Is it too much to expect any of those out of the working day? The going may be tough but a little happiness, and maybe therefore esprit de corps, might be generated by how you approach your work and the management of your team. Your attitude to work will have a huge impact on your team so how about scoring it against these components to see how you might re-frame your attitude and therefore that of your team?

In my experience, a happy team usually produce good results. In difficult times is that not what will make a difference?

Anyone for a Jaffa Cake Doughnut?