Finding Joy in Your Work: My Journey to Building a Happier Workplace

What if work could actually be a source of joy?

A big part of my journey to building HeyTaco came from a personal search for workplace happiness. As a solo entrepreneur, I’ve encountered my own bad bouts of burnout. The kind that makes you question everything. The stress and pressure keep mounting until you know something has to change. Eventually, helping myself and others find joy and meaning in their work became a focus.

I knew the workplace I’d create would be one that felt different from the toxic environments I had experienced. So, I began building a company that prioritized people over performance. Where employees weren’t tensing up against their responsibilities. This is made possible by making work a place where they can have fun and find joy in their work.

Why do fun and happiness matter at work?

Having fun at work isn’t about making employees like you or treating them like kids. It’s about increasing employee engagement. Higher levels of employee engagement are proven to reduce stress, improve the quality of one’s work, and increase the profitability of a business. And yes, it makes people happier.

I've seen firsthand why having fun at work matters through teams using HeyTaco. Sending 🌮 back and forth is a playful way to show appreciation, but the impact of that fun goes much deeper. It turns small acts of recognition into meaningful connections.

Over time, this builds trust, fosters collaboration, and creates a happier workplace. People often ask if tacos are too silly. I always tell them that's exactly why they work. The fun of it encourages people to share appreciation, making it even more powerful.

How to find happiness at work

Whether you're leading a team or just looking for more fulfillment in your workday, here are a few things I've learned on my journey that might help you find more happiness at work:

1. Create moments of fun.

Fun doesn't have to be forced or distracting. It's about creating moments that make you smile, laugh, or feel connected to your colleagues. Find opportunities to lighten up your day, whether through small team-building activities, celebrating wins, or simply taking a moment to recognize and appreciate the people you work with.

One of my favorite ways to create fun moments with our team is to tell them stories from my youth and the silly things I did before HeyTaco. When I get into a storytelling mode, they jokingly call me “Grandpa Doug” (I am not that old), but those stories stick and cause a good laugh.

2. Focus on relationships.

The relationships we build at work play a huge role in how happy we feel. Getting caught up in tasks and deadlines is easy, but investing time in getting to know your coworkers can make all the difference. Deep connections foster trust and collaboration, making the work environment more supportive and enjoyable.

That means taking the time to chat with a teammate when they need help fixing a bug or want to talk about their thoughts. It is easy to skip those small chats because we have things to do. But I always find those chats leave me energized and even more connected to my teammates.

3. Celebrate small wins.

At HeyTaco, we've learned the power of celebrating small wins. In our pursuit of big goals, we often overlook the small victories. But these moments matter—they can boost morale and provide the energy to keep pushing forward.

You won't be surprised to hear we also use HeyTaco. ;) I love seeing the #tacos channel light up with tacos sent by the team for things big and small. As a solopreneur, I never had that, and I love that I also get to use HeyTaco now.

These small celebrations also add up to larger, super-cool taco-centric celebrations. Occasions where employees want to participate because it’s the culmination of a small thing they already enjoy daily.

4. Find meaning in your work.

Happiness at work doesn't always come from external perks. Learning something new at work can release happiness chemicals. That’s why growth and development opportunities make such great forms of recognition, too. Gestures like this give our work meaning. Take time to reflect on what you love about your role, what you’ve learned, or the impact you're making, no matter how small. Sometimes, a shift in perspective can bring a renewed sense of purpose.

When I get in a rut, I like to jump into the customer support inbox and see what issues people are having or what they love about HeyTaco. I'll also reach out to some long-time customers I haven't spoken with in a while and see how they are doing. Connecting to them reminds me how the work I do today (which is further removed from code) impacts them and gives me a renewed sense of purpose.

5. Take care of yourself.

Finally, remember to take care of yourself. I learned this the hard way during my burnout experience. You can't pour from an empty cup, and sometimes, finding happiness at work means stepping back to recharge and prioritize your well-being. Taking a step back when necessary is okay.

Prioritize activities outside of work that refill your cup. Spending time with my family and working with my hands recharges me, so I focus on those before anything else.

And for leaders, always be looking for signs of quiet cracking. What I’ve shared here today can help intervene before it becomes full-blown burnout.

Workplace joy is always within reach.

Creating a happier work environment wasn't just about building a business. It was about intentionally building a life where work could feel fulfilling, fun, and meaningful. That's exactly the kind of culture I set out to create at HeyTaco—a place where people feel appreciated, connected, and genuinely happy to show up every day.

If you're struggling to find joy in your work, know it's possible to change. Whether you start by creating fun moments, building deeper connections, or simply taking a break to recharge, you can make a more positive, fulfilling work life. Just know that joy in your work is within reach.

Thanks for reading! 🌮
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