For most of us, work is a requirement. Until we uncover or create the opportunity that allows us to work our passion, we may be in a job that’s just, well… a job.
Accepting your 9-5 is just a job works fine until you finally start listening to your passion and purpose. Once you begin to acknowledge your purpose and feed your passion, your “day job” may begin to feel like a burden.
So, how do you make it through the 40+ hours a week without feeling like you are serving time for a crime you didn’t commit? Here are 9 tips on how to be happy with your job:
1. Stay out of drama. Keep away from contentious people.
2. Initiate a new project. Tie it to a new skill you want to learn or practice.
3. Choose a better perspective. Look for opportunities and wins instead of shortcomings and faults.
4. Find a buddy. Research shows people that have friends at work have a higher rate of career satisfaction.
5. Learn something new. Read a book, read an article, take an on-line course. Find a way to get new information and let it inspire you.
6. Practice gratitude. Be grateful for what you do have and what you have the potential to create.
7. Stop talking about how bad things are. Lift the weight of your environment by speaking positively about your work, your co-workers, and your company.
8. Keep working towards your passion. Whether it is five hours or five minutes, find a way to incorporate what you are passionate about into your routine.
9. Get a life. If you are pouring all of yourself into work that’s not satisfying, create a better balance by adding more “extra-curricular” activities.
Bottom line: You don’t have to be miserable even if you are in a miserable job. Taking responsibility for creating your own happiness at work puts you back in the driver’s seat of your career where you belong.
[This article was originally posted on an earlier date.]
Tai Goodwin is a career and business coach who specifically works with professionals who are launching a business while working full-time.
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11 Comments
Uh, was this written by an idealistic high school student? You can’t fix faults by ignoring them. If you choose not to look at potential mistakes, you’ll always fall prey to them.
It is important to put as much energy into our career development as we do over being stressed about our job. It helps to put a development plan down on paper and to begin executing it – something that covers you over the next two years so that you are prepared with greater skills once the NEXT job opportunity pops up. Also, use this time to seriously build your professional network (something I’m doing now). These are things that you can do no matter what the economic conditions might be at any given time. And it improves my attitude while remaining realistic.
Bunch of crap. I’ve been in an unfulfilling job for 3 years. Main reason is I have the degree to be higher but the powers that be won’t raise my position , which makes me feel worse. Last year I lost my work buddy, she was transferred to another branch. The people left are the drama and back stabbers. I’ve tried to go things outside of work but spending 8 hrs of your day in hell still isn’t fun no matter what outside activities you have.
All of this “career advice” comes from people who never have to work in hellish jobs in economically distressed areas.
I agree with parts of what you’re saying. I also feel that in my first three years at this job I still thought my opinion mattered and that they cared what I thought so it upset me A LOT when they didn’t!
After ten years I have now come to accept all of those things not happening – not happy about them – but have accepted and no longer let it drag me down like I used to. It does get me now and then on specific things but not like it used to.
Hang in there and hopefully it will get better! Just remember the grass isn’t always greener on the other side!
I would add one last tip: Use any negative energy to prepare yourself for a promotion within your current organization or for a new career with another. Situations change, managers leave. If the perfect position called you today, would you have to let it go to voicemail to get yourself ready to apply and interview?
Great advice! I do believe there are some jobs where the best option is to move out, if possible, but in the present climate that is increasingly difficult. Keeping positive, working towards your passion and learning something are ways to turn a potential hiccup in your career into time invested. Looking back I have actually learned as much from jobs I didn’t I enjoy as from those I did – at least I learned something about my own limitations. In due course each one led to a really good opportunity – I suppose it is all about attitude really!
I believe in the law of attraction, the more negativity in your thoughts and actions you will tend to attract more negative energy into your life be it professional or personal. So, think positive and look at the bright side of your career. You will see start finding the difference yourself. And if you hate your job that much you might as well quit and start working on something that is your passion. I strongly believe that when you are passionate about your work money follows.
Excellent article.
Great points here. It is difficult to stay positive in a miserable situation, sometimes no matter how hard you try, but I like that you give some practical advice that we all can take to heart.
Such great tips. I am often asked what to do when very unhappy in a job. There is always something that won't make us happy, but to make the most out of it and exercise all options beforehand, is the most important and vital ability.
If it doesn't work, then move on.
Such great tips. I am often asked what to do when very unhappy in a job. There is always something that won't make us happy, but to make the most out of it and exercise all options beforehand, is the most important and vital ability.
If it doesn't work, then move on.