How the Nordic Lifestyle can make you happier and more productive.

1. The 7 secrets to Team “Hygge”
How the Nordic Lifestyle can make you
happier and more productive

2. “Hygge was never
meant to be translated
– it was meant
to be felt”
- Tove Maren Stakkestad

3. Hygge (pronounced “hue-gah”) comes from a
Scandinavian word meaning “well-being” and has
been adopted by generations of Nordic people as
a way to not only ward off the winter blues, but to
actually embrace and celebrate the gifts offered by
the colder, darker season. Hygge is loosely
translated as “coziness” in English, but it’s actually
much more than that.
Hygge is an attitude, a way of being, that can be
applied to all aspects of your life, including the way
you work together with your team.
So, What is Hygge?

4. We all know the Scandinavians endure short
days and long nights. The hours of daylight are
full of frenetic activity, but the nights are an
invitation to rest, to allow ourselves the space
and time for quiet contemplation. This gives us
the opportunity to connect more deeply with
our loved ones, with our own selves and, for
some, our spiritual beliefs.
Winter Work and
Life balance

5. Not everyone has the same changing seasons as
the Scandinavians, but we all have ups and downs
in our own lives, and your business is no exception.
Learning the lessons of how they thrive in
challenging conditions can help us overcome the
obstacles we encounter in everyday life.
Even in the tough “Winter” periods, with the right
attitude you and your team can overcome any
obstacle. The hygge philosophy can help transform
your team and make you happier, more fulfilled
and most importantly, more productive.
“Hygge” and your team

6. Scandinavia is famed for its minimalistic
approach to life. Simplicity brings peace and
tranquility to the mind. Less clutter means less
distraction and allows better focus. The
calming influence of hygge should be brought
into the workplace and promoted through
company culture.
Hygge is all about enjoying the environment
and the people around you, to allow you to
transform your personal space.
Less clutter1

7. “I think the essence of hygge is the pursuit of
everyday happiness. Trying to build a little
pleasure and gratitude into your daily routine.”
- Make Wiking, CEO of Copenhagen's Happiness
Research Institute.
Spend more time connecting with your team.
Express your gratitude for the work they do.
Go for a walk during your work hours. Fresh air
and nature bring balance to your life, soothe
your worries help recharge your batteries and
studies show it can even improve your
memory.
Connecting
with the world
around you
2

8. In today’s world we are constantly bombarded
with information. Many people feel like they
are constantly drowning in new gadgets that
claim to make you more productive. As Paul
Simon says “Want to be a writer but don’t
know how or when? Find a quiet place, use a
simple pen.”
Do more with
less
3

9. Most systems work best when they are kept
simple rather than made complicated.
Simplicity should be a key goal for any team
and unnecessary complexity should be
avoided at all costs.
Simpler solutions are both easier to implement
and easier to maintain.
Leonardo da Vinci himself famously said
"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication" and
who are we to argue with him?
Keep it simple4

10. When your team sees the big picture they are
more invested in getting to a “win”. The “OKR”
system is how Google, LinkedIn and Intel do it
and so do we here at UpWave.io.
Abraham Lincoln said “If I had 8 hours to chop
down a tree, I would spend the first 6
sharpening my axe” and he knew a thing or
two about getting things done.
Understand and accept your limits. Don’t say
“yes” to everything. Learning to say “No” is
powerful. Limiting your “work-in-progress”
leads to quicker “wins” and more positive
momentum for everyone.
Clarify your
priorities
5

11. Studies show employees are more engaged
when they understand their roles and
responsibilities within their position. It leads to
higher levels of performance and commitment.
Be open and listen to your teammates,
regardless of their role! Yes, you can’t always
get what you want, but listening, true active
listening, builds empathy.
Remember the “Golden Rule” of all religions -
“treat others as you would want to be treated
yourself”. Doing just a little bit to show you
care can go a long, long way...
Understand
your role in the
team
6

12. Remember that the enjoyable things in life
don’t have to be restricted to outside the
office. Spontaneity is the spice of life but
there’s nothing wrong with organizing your fun!
Try organizing a sweepstake, take an hour out
to play a team board game or quiz (We highly
recommend our Norwegian friends at Kahoot!).
Why not try meditation sessions at lunchtime?
You could even organise a tasty food rota, with
people taking it in turns to bring in homemade
cakes or soup for the office.
Whatever you decide, it’s worth taking the
plunge; after all, there is nothing more
hyggelig than making time for each other.
Know what
you want out
of life
7

13. When everybody knows what everybody
is doing, it makes things less hectic.
It means you get to spend more time on
the things that matter.

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