|
Use smart strategies to make your job joyful
It never ceases to amaze me how many people walk around miserable in their jobs.
It would be one thing if we only had to work a couple of hours a week. A little bit of monotony is tolerable in virtually anyone’s life.
But considering that most of us work upwards of 40 hours each week, that is a lot of time to spend being unhappy.
A client of mine who is currently in the midst of planning a career change recently shared an interesting observation with me. She said that as she goes about having conversations with business people she encounters to learn what they enjoy about their professions, she hears mostly negatives.
It surprised her that even when she intentionally phrases her questions to inquire about the good stuff, people seem to jump on the opportunity to talk her out of even considering their fields.
It doesn’t surprise me. Unfortunately, there are many people walking around who are miserable about their typical workday.
For some folks, that may be about having chosen a profession that truly is a poor fit. But for others, it is a matter of having unconsciously settled into a habitual gloom and doom way of being at work.
There are no perfect jobs out there. Even for those who love what they do, there are the inevitable days when nothing seems to go right and the whole experience of even being at work feels completely out of kilter.
On the other hand, we each have the opportunity to choose how we will experience our typical workdays, and the option to intentionally build in elements designed to bring us joy.
Try these approaches to turn the daily grind into something that makes your heart sing:
Begin your workday by identifying 3-5 things that you are grateful for. Life always looks easier when you focus on the positives. Plain and simple. You can find something about your job that makes you feel grateful, even if it is your regular paycheck.
Take a lunch hour during the day and take a break. It is amazing to me how many people skip lunch or inhale a fast food meal at their desks vs. taking time for a breather. There are those occasional days where a big deadline precludes a normal lunch hour. But this becomes a habitual pattern for many people and deprives them of the time that would otherwise help them recharge their batteries.
Even if it is for 30 minutes, take a walk outside, and go somewhere to get a healthy meal instead of take-out fare.
Make your workspace a reflection of you. Bring in pictures of family and a favorite piece of artwork. Post quotes or short sayings that you find inspiring around your desk. Offset that fluorescent light fixture with the glow of a soft lamp.
Avoid the grapevine. The rumor mill springs from fear, lack of trust and other feel-bad emotions in the office. Stay away from those who are always bent on sharing the latest gossip or who are harbingers of bad news.
Laugh. Mom was right when she said that it takes more muscles to frown than to smile. Take your work seriously but hold it lightly, and look for ways to find the humor in the everyday situations we all find ourselves in. You will lower your blood pressure and make your workday more fun.
Work smart, not hard. There are many workaholics out there who could probably cut back on their hours by 30% and not skip a beat, if they would just find ways to work more efficiently. Focus on developing streamlined systems and processes for getting your work done, clean up the clutter and make the best use of the time you allocate to your business day. Don’t give it all of your time.
Go with the flow. Change happens. Especially in today’s business environment. Instead of putting energy into resistance and staying stuck in the past, develop a healthy sense of curiosity about what is new and different. Then enjoy it.
Take a day off in the middle of the week, just to play. Mental health days are probably one of the greatest inventions of the civilized world. I know of few businesses that have gone under because their leaders chose to take a day to themselves now and then. Go on, have fun. And no guilt, please.
Appreciate and acknowledge those you work with. Good feelings are contagious, and they breed pride and accomplishment. Catch people doing something well and tell them how much you value and admire them. They will shine, and you will feel great.
Take time to think and reflect. Thought time is perhaps the biggest casualty of today’s too-busy work environment. On the other hand, it can be the biggest single investment you make in your day, by revitalizing you and helping you see bigger possibilities.
Make your job more joyful. It is your choice and your right.
Barbara Poole is a leadership and career development coach with Success Builders Inc. E-mail her at CoachBarbara@SuccessBuildersInc.com.
|
E-Mail This Article
Printer-Friendly Version