As children we are often asked what we would like to be when we grow up. The implicit meaning of this question is what career path we would choose and how we plan to make our living. While many of us might have answered astronaut or actor, sport star or scientist, very rarely do our youthful dreams of employment unfold quite so simply. The variety and levels of work mean that many of us make a living by doing something not entirely aligned with our most ambitious childlike goals. Of course, living in the adult world means this is easy enough to comprehend and digest, but that doesn’t mean people should be expected to endure misery in the workplace. Here are a few ways you can start to enjoy your job just that little bit more.
- Find a Job You Love
The first, most obvious and perhaps most difficult step is to find a job you inherently enjoy. If you are passionate about how cars work, for example, then becoming a mechanic might fulfil all your work-satisfaction needs. However, being qualified for your dream job takes preparation and hard work. No matter what it is you’re passionate about, you will have to dedicate time and resources into carving out your dream career path. This doesn’t need to be straight out of school — it’s never too late to chase your ambitions.
- Find Meaning in Your Work
If you aren’t one of the lucky few who can’t wait to get to work in the morning, there are still plenty of ways to enjoy your job. Take a distant view of what you do and how your work contributes to society overall. Chances are you’ll find something worth admiring — maybe your administrative support makes the running of a school or hospital smoother and more able to improve people’s lives. Maybe your service at the restaurant makes someone’s day a little brighter. The very reason your job exists is to help the world run better, so find this sense of purpose and appreciate your own efforts.
- Feel Safe and Secure
It’s vital that you feel safe in your workplace. Being able to do your job properly and without fear of undue endangerment is a must. For example, taking measures in preventing warehouse accidents can help you feel cared for by your employer, or knowing that your management values your mental wellbeing can reassure you that you’re a valued team member. If you don’t feel safe at work, bring it up with your management or consider finding a new job where your safety is a priority.
- Connect with People
If you don’t enjoy the work you do and you find it difficult to feel any sense of meaning or accomplishment from it, focus on the people. Humans are a naturally social animal, even introverted people, and being around others is good for us. Whether it’s your coworkers, customers or even your competitors, enjoy the interactions and opportunities for connection wherever you might find them.