8 Ways to Fall In Love With Your Job Again
Fallen out of love with your job? Or maybe you never really loved it in the first place. Loving your job can be hard, especially if you are bored by your work or if you do not feel included or appreciated. If you are finding it hard to love what you do, there are several ways that you can develop a more positive attitude towards work. With these adjustments and a little time and effort, you may just find that loving feeling once again.
Make A List. The first step to loving your job again is to write down what you like about your work. Try to remember why you took the job in the first place. Consider your coworkers, your assignments, opportunities for learning, your reputation and the perks, 401(k), flexibility, etc.
Check Your Attitude. Your job should not define you but how you do it does. Any job can be done well, when you are compassionate. Your attitude at work, your mood and the way you treat people does not go unnoticed. You may not be able to control the work challenges that come your way but you can always control how you respond to it.
Make a Change. Boredom is often the root of unhappiness at work. Broaden your education or professional development. It can help you get out of the rut you’ve found yourself stuck in. Stay educated about your field of work and don’t become complacent – read trade magazines or set up Google alerts to keep you abreast of the latest news. Make sure to say, “yes” to new assignments when opportunities arise. A change of “work pace” is a good thing when you are feeling bored.
Organize. This is my favorite advice for everything. Organizing your desk and computer files will help you declutter both physically and mentally. It’s liberating and empowering to create order. Don’t try and work amongst visual chaos.
It’s Not About the Money. Ok, well – not always. The money you earn will never be enough so stop focusing on it. It is, however, important to track every penny you spend in a week. Seeing where your money is really going can help you to refocus your spending towards the things you really want. Getting paid is only one small part of what you do; your work has to be more than just a paycheck to be fulfilling.
Volunteer. Spend some time helping others – through work or on the side. Helping out at a nonprofit gets you out of your own head and lets you gain perspective on others’ needs. When your employer initiates the volunteer effort, it builds relationships with co-workers (and perhaps your boss), as you work side-by-side to make a difference.
Extracurricular Activities. Explore finding joy outside of your office cubicle. If you are musically talented, start a band with a group of coworkers or organize a company team sport— say, softball, kickball, or bowling. Or create a walking, biking, or running group with co-workers.
Telecommute. When it comes to what makes people love their jobs, working from home is a biggie. Telecommuting employees are happier, more loyal and have fewer unscheduled absences. Talk to your boss about taking a few days a week to work from home.
Falling in love with your job again can be tough. Try to think about the significance in what you do and how you make a difference. Perspective plays a huge role in personal job satisfaction. And through it all if love for work is hard to come by, force yourself to smile, to laugh and to be more enthusiastic. If nothing else, finding joy in life at work will help the day go by faster.
