Do You Love Your Job?
My article was featured in the February issue of 24/Seven Magazine — full article and details below.
Do You Love Your Job?
WHEN WAS the last time you actually thought about your job and used the word “love”? Was it during the courting stages right before you said “yes”? Or, was it through the first six-month honeymoon phase or maybe the first year?
According to a recent global report from Gallup, 85 percent of workers in North America and Europe say they’re satisfied with their jobs and feel that being in a “stable employment relationship… provides a sense of purpose and belonging, social relations, social status, and a daily structure and routine.”
What’s important is that people are looking for stability and routine and like being engaged in what they do. A sense of belonging and working with a collaborative team and for a boss, who empowers you and provides real mentorship, can make a big difference.
The Global Happiness Policy Report, 2019, supports SHRM’s research and Gallup’s as well. “Good jobs are central parts of happy lives. Many examples show that increasing staff engagement increases job satisfaction and reduces costly job turnover.”
So, have you hit a bump in the road and feel a bit out sync with your job? Has the pace and speed to how and when things need to get done left you feeling drained? If you are facing a number of challenges in the workplace and want to find the love you have lost for your job, here are a few things you can integrate into your daily routine.
Get motivated. On the way to your workplace, listen to your favorite upbeat music and think of how the work you have allows you the opportunity to have your life outside of it, such as a great social life. A positive attitude will make the day more pleasant and productive.
Perspective. Look beyond yourself and your work and consider the bigger picture.
Plan your time and create a to-do list. Include long-term projects as well as the more imminent things that need to be done. Prioritize your to-do list; do the most important things first. When performing any task, ask yourself if it is the best use of your time. Schedule in enough time for your studies, etc.
Focus. Do not let yourself be distracted by worrying about all the other things to be done or losing energy over the undesirable situation you find yourself in. Stay in the moment and take care of a task before it gets on a possible procrastination list.
Expectations. Clarify what is needed and when you have conflicting demands, be sure to communicate your concerns up front. Getting clarity with your manager and others will make it better in the long term.
Delegate. Assess if you can delegate. Always remember the 3D rule: do it, dump it, or delegate it. Never handle a piece of paper twice.
No matter how much we love our job, we will always face challenges, obstacles and a workload that just doesn’t stop! So, if you want to invigorate the passion you once had for your job, try adding some of these tips into daily routine.
