Love the job you have

Alison Martin

When you’re clocking extra hours on the job, it’s pretty easy to lose yourself thinking about a great new gig somewhere else. “Grass is greener” stories of day trader-turned-rock star are just the inspiration you need to get the daydreams rolling.

In a busy job market opportunities to make career changes or explore new job avenues frequently arise. But the underlying question is: will any of these changes make us happier once we get there?

Perhaps the answer is not in attaining the job you love, but rather in loving the job you have. Try following these seven steps, and you might discover the secret to happiness on the job.

1. Define yourself by how you do your job, not by your job – Actions do speak volumes. There's a lot to be said for the way you treat people and the attitude with which you approach your tasks. These actions can have a profound effect on your co-workers. There are times when you can't control your situation, but you can always choose how you live in it. Stay positive, and set the mood in your working environment.
2. Find meaning in your role - Look at the big picture and determine how you contribute to the overall product. Do you get to see the finished product? Do you give direction that gets things done? Then ask yourself "what unique element do I bring to this job in undertaking it?" Perspective plays a huge role in personal satisfaction and a sense of well-being. Try to remember why you took the job in the first place. If it was only going to be "for now," you might want to begin actively looking for other work.
3. Approach your tasks with passion – According to the recent Workopolis survey of more than 4,100 people, the average hours actually worked by respondents was 42.23 hours. If you cannot find enjoyment in your work, those are 40+ long, painful hours that you will never get back.
   
   Instead of dreading the work week, greet the day with passion by finding enjoyment in specific tasks of your day. Passionate people don't spend time worrying about the next task or how to get out of doing the work. They put their all into every task instead of going with the flow. You will be able to complete your work quickly if you do it with passion and by spreading that passion to your co-workers, you might improve the work environment.
   
   Writer and public speaker, Amanda Gore promotes easy but fundamental changes in her book You Can be Happy as a means to grabbing your happiness back, and keeping it!
4. Stop focusing on the money. Don’t make payday the only good day of your week! Money will never be enough, so stop using it as a measurement for your success or happiness. Getting paid is only one small part of what you do. Your work has to be more than just a paycheque to be fulfilling, otherwise when the money is gone, your happiness will also disappear.
5. Dare to ask yourself if it's worth it. If you can't find the part of your job that you like, or if you can see yourself turning into the person you said you would never be, it might be time to re-evaluate your career choices. It may not be a new job that you need, just a new direction, especially if the job brings out your good traits. If this isn't the case, perhaps there are changes you can make to the way you do your job. If the job itself is the problem, maybe you need to be in a different position within the same company. Maybe you need to refocus and if you can choose your tasks and projects, opt for the ones that bring you the most gratification and help you evolve.
6. Take time off. The demands of your job can diminish your motivation and your energy levels. Taking an adequate amount of vacation time will help you rejuvenate and keep you productive. Career Coach Alan Kearns says “You will be a better employee and a happier person.”
7. Give your best, not your all. Kearns also says, “If you give work all of your energy and passion, you will have nothing left for your personal life.” Pace yourself.

Following these simple steps might mean the difference between job dissatisfaction and uncovering enjoyment in your current role. The self-awareness that results can be the key to fostering greater job satisfaction, an increased sense of well-being and a little more control of what you do, rather than just going with the flow. For others, self-awareness might indicate a need for a change. If so, don't be afraid of it; embrace the challenge.