Lessons about the balance between work and personal life, and the importance of teamwork.
Recently, the World Happiness Report selected Norway as the happiest country in the world in 2017, leaving behind Denmark, Iceland, and Switzerland. According to Meik Wiking – Executive Director of the Happiness Research Institute in Copenhagen, there is a common factor among the top countries on this list, they all have a clear and defined understanding of the sense of community. In addition, they have defined happiness through factors such as solidarity, freedom, generosity, honesty, health and good governance practices.
Source: World Happiness Report 2017
To say that the Norwegians are the happiest people in the world is for many something obvious, especially if we have in mind that is a country with such a solid economy. However, this was not always the case, there were difficult times of war and recession that marked the life of this country. Norwegian culture has been shaped by a survival story, which, amidst the hardships of climate and isolation, has managed to maintain a lively spirit of work that overcomes extreme conditions. In part, because they have managed to keep alive their basic principles of equity and equality, which allows them to work for the common welfare of all their citizens until today.
The conquest of the first place as the happiest country in the world is the result of constant work that reinforces their high levels of mutual trust, shared goals, generosity, and good government. The individual success does not surpass the gains obtained in the collective, a factor common to the Scandinavian countries.
Teamwork has been a determining factor
In Norway’s villages and small towns, people have always given great importance to teamwork, meeting regularly and volunteering to carry out community projects for the joy and sense of community that this entails.
A special attention is given to one of the most relevant pillars of happiness, happiness at work. Understanding that people spend most of their time at work, an environment in which they carry out the greatest amount of daily activities, this has been of great interest to the government that has given a special reinforcement to matters of labor well-being and unemployment. Based on a concept that is part of their culture, “Hygge“, something that goes beyond wellbeing and comfort, Hygge is an attitude, a way of being, something that can be applied to all aspects of life, and at work shows us that fun does not sacrifice the expected results in a company.
Download the guide – The 7 secrets to team “Hygge”
Balance between work and well-being
Despite difficult weather conditions in Norway, where the temperature can reach -25 degrees, people do not complain. It is the opposite, during six months of the year despite being under snow, people continue to carry out their daily activities without any limitation.
Nature plays a very important role in the life of the Norwegians. With breathtaking mountains, flora, fauna and northern lights, biodiversity in its territory has no end. Due to this, outdoor activities such as hiking, skiing, and trips to the base huts in the mountains or in the forest, are activities that surely guarantee the happiness of a Norwegian.
Move away from the outmoded
Beyond being a happy country, Norway understood the importance of collective well-being, the value of the family, the necessary care of the environment and its surroundings, equality, and humility as the basis of their society. The one that does not forget its past, but that is considered one of the most avant-garde of the world, a perfect mixture that results in a society and a happier life.
Photo: Nancy Bundt – Visitnorway.com
There is a lot of learning left by Norwegian culture, including its minimalist meaning, something that is increasingly ingrained and implemented in any aspect of its community and that gives the Nordic country an advantage over others.
Enjoying the simple pleasures of life and appreciating the environment, friends, family and community is a quality that we can all incorporate into our daily routine in our family and work environment to achieve a more positive and happy life.
Learn more about UpWave: https://www.upwave.io/latam.
