The Secret to Enjoying Your Job
Stop hating Mondays and build a job you love.
Why are some people never satisfied with their jobs?
They change it. Change it again. But never say: “That’s it. Finally.”
The everlasting complainers are proficient in one thing: They like to pull you into their dramas. Ah, poor them. They are victims of bad bosses, low salaries, difficult work, etc.
Avoid them because, after today, you know the secret to enjoying your job.
1. Mindset: Your job is what you make it
Mindset is everything. Your mindset controls how you experience work and your career.
If you see your job as “something you just have to do”, it will always feel like a burden. The same goes for how you see your boss and coworkers.
“He’s just a bad manager. I disagree with his leadership style.”
“They behave like a kindergarten.”
“The client is unbearable. They are so chaotic and I can’t work with them anymore!”
Big problem you have every day.
Your job is a never-ending source of frustration. Yet, the grass is not greener when you hop off the boat.
It’s time to flip the script. Approach your job as an opportunity to grow, connect, and enjoy life you want. Before you quit again, ask yourself: How can you make the most of your job?
Mindset re-frames your frustration into:
“What can I learn from my manager? How can I be a better leader?”
“How can I help my team take more accountability?”
“How can I communicate better with the client?
The answers are not always straightforward but don’t take shortcuts before you ask questions like these three above. I guarantee you come to the job in a better mood next Monday.
Also read:
2. Good Relationships = Good job
If you enjoy the people around you, you are likely to enjoy the job.
One of the biggest factors in job satisfaction is your relationship with your boss. A cool boss can make work exciting and rewarding. A bad boss (the micromanagers and other freaks!) can make every day feel like a struggle.
The good news is that even if you can’t choose a boss, you can focus on communication.
Train yourself in clear communication, share your concerns and expectations, ask for feedback, and find ways to align with company goals.
If you try and fail, then consider whether a different team or a company might be a better option. No shame at all.
We all wish for a strong team that creates a sense of belonging. Your contribution to the culture and psychological safety is no secret. How do you collaborate? How do you make people around you feel?
Little things like inside jokes, shared struggles, and mutual wins make the workplace a lot more enjoyable. So, maybe not so serious next time :).
3. Get paid and get your time back
Money and your work-life balance matter.
If you’re underpaid, negotiate because financial needs can be pretty stressful and hinder everything else about the job.
If your work takes over your life, set boundaries. I usually tell leaders that a good job should not hurt you. The job you love will give you enough money and time to enjoy your life outside of work, too.
The secret is the balance.
4. Purpose: why you’re doing it
Why? Why do you do what you do? Do you understand why your work matters?
Maybe you help people, solve problems, or create something complicated but useful. Your job does not have to be your ultimate passion, but it can still be meaningful.
Many people have trouble seeing a purpose in their work. They report, reply to emails, go to the office, and then return home. What’s the purpose?
Twist your clock around and think about why you wanted to work in advertising, why you wanted to study sociology, why you wanted to do leadership training, and what made it interesting.
Then follow your footsteps forward and see all key milestones on the way that made you happy. Why?
Now, you’re back to the present, and think if you can relate to your work’s purpose or if you give it an entirely different one. For instance, you can create one by mentoring others, improve processes, or transfer your skills to a new field.
Build a job you love:
Some time ago, I recorded a podcast episode with
about the secret to living a life of purpose and fulfillment.Listen it here:
Or discover a book David recently published:
TL;DR
How are you feeling after reading this? At the end of the day, job satisfaction isn’t about luck, it’s a choice and commitment. Don’t chase the perfect one, take control of the one you already have.
Set your mindset to growth, build better relationships, get what you need, and create meaning.
It is never so easy.
Speaking of which, I will be leading a course about leadership communication in May. It is your chance to work with me directly and explore skills that will turn your job into an opportunity. I hope to see you there.
Have a good one, Ivona
On the menu:
Monday Case Study: How to Give Good Performance Feedback
Thursday Newsletter: 5 Plato-Inspired Self-Awareness for Leaders