Many experts today believe that people are too identified with their work rather than with a total view of their lives.

In fact, a recent study indicates most American workers identify themselves by their work rather than their families or other activities.

Another survey indicates most Americans are unhappy with their work environment.

One way to deal with this is to develop a better outlook in their work experience.

Jessica Pryce-Jones offers five tips for happiness at work, which she summarizes as the the 5Cs – the five components to the happiness equation. Her new book is called Happiness at Work, Maximizing Your Psychological Capital for Success.

Contribution is the most important part and operates in two ways – from the Inside-Out and from the Outside-In. Inside-Out means achieving one’s goals, having clear objectives, raising issues that are personally important, and feeling secure in one’s job. The Outside-In part of Contribution consists of being listened to, getting positive feedback, being respected by one’s boss, and feeling appreciated. Pryce-Jones suggests that people focus first on things that are clear and doable, such as goals and objectives, and that the more abstract concepts, such as having a sense of job security, will flow from there.

Conviction is about being motivated at work; feeling effective and efficient; showing resiliency when times are tough; and perceiving that one’s work has a positive impact on the world. Although Pryce-Jones provides practical tools to help people achieve a strong sense of Conviction, she warns that this component is often easy to ignore, because it involves a deep sense of self-awareness. "Pay attention to your level of Conviction," she advises. "It provides essential clues that indicate whether you’re truly happy on the job or need to make changes."

Culture is made up of the norms, values and behaviors that are particular to an organization. People who work in a positive culture enjoy their jobs, like their colleagues, appreciate the values the workplace stands for, believe they are being treated fairly, and feel that they have control of their daily activities. Although Culture is more difficult for individuals to change than Contribution and Conviction, Pryce-Jones does provide steps that people can take to affect the Culture around them, since being proactive is a key to happiness.

Commitment is what every organization wants from every employee, because it has such a big impact on the bottom line. People know what it looks like, but find it extremely difficult to achieve. In Happiness at Work, Pryce-Jones shows that increasing Commitment is just as much an individual’s responsibility as it is a corporate one. People suffer when they don’t feel committed to what they do. Pryce-Jones provides a clear road map for achieving Commitment.

Confidence gives people the knowledge that they can handle tasks and relationships, too. Contribution, Conviction and Commitment all depend on being confident. "At its center, Confidence is made up of getting things done, the solid evidence that tells you, ‘Yes, I can.’ The softer, flakier and more-fragile edge is made up of self-belief and your understanding of your role," Pryce-Jones explains. The harder center is difficult to dislodge, while the softer edge is more vulnerable. It’s important to choose jobs, goals and challenges that push the boundaries of one’s comfort zone in order to grow Confidence. But it’s equally important not to do it alone. Increasing Confidence also means creating safety mechanisms and support when trying new and difficult things.