There are many reasons to be unhappy in your job role, and it is simple to place blame on other people or things that are beyond your control. What is the true cause, hidden beneath your justifications and sense of unhappiness?
And why don’t you just quit? If you don’t like your job, you should probably leave and look for another one, isn’t that the best course of action? However, after a few jobs, you realize that the issue isn’t with the job; rather, it seems like no matter what dream job you land, you always end up back here. Unhappy. Even if this job was your dream before, you are starting to realize that it is not everything you had hoped it would be. In addition, not everyone can simply leave their jobs and immediately start working at their dream job because we all have lives and obligations.
SHOULD YOU QUIT YOUR JOB? | A Very Eye Opening Speech ft Jordan Peterson
Ways to find joy at work if you’re not happy with your job
Here are ten ways to be content in your current position to support your career effectiveness and wellbeing:
Practice mindfulness
Increasing your level of happiness at work can be achieved by becoming more conscious of the present, what you are going through, and how it makes you feel. This technique, known as mindfulness, can make some people feel calmer and less impulsive at work, which increases happiness for many people. Investigate mindfulness practices to use at work or potential mental health services offered by your employer.
Find work-life balance
Maintaining a greater sense of fulfillment and calm can support your happiness at work by balancing the demands of your job with your personal values and priorities. Try to determine your own ideal work-life balance and, if possible, take steps to achieve it. In the event that your employer offers resources to assist with this goal, see if you can utilize them to promote career happiness.
Personalize your workspace
Try personalizing your workspace if you can with things or memories that make you happy. Items like plants, pictures, and other sentimental items could be useful additions to an office space, for instance. Items that make you happy can also be placed in a locker or a personal storage area in a break room. Regularly seeing these things could improve your outlook and mood at work.
Celebrate success
Think back on your professional history and list accomplishments you’re proud of. Use these ideas as affirmations to help you stay happy when you’re under stress. You might even think about recording them and posting them somewhere you’ll see them often. Pay attention to new accomplishments as well, as anticipating and celebrating your victories can be a happy way to work.
Take a break
Rest can occasionally help you reframe things and feel more optimistic at work. Take breaks throughout the day if you can, and if you can, try to avoid thinking about work during these times. If you can, and if it would improve your outlook at work, think about taking some time off to relax at home or on a trip. The possibility that you’ll be happier at work if you have enough time to recover from workplace stress
Pursue healthful choices
Making healthy decisions could lead to greater happiness at work and better personal and professional wellbeing. For instance, consuming a balanced diet could give you more physical vigor at work. If at all possible, getting a good night’s sleep can also leave you feeling rested and prepared to take on the challenges of the day. Similarly, if you can, exercising might help you feel more content at work.
Seek mentorship
Finding a good mentor and using them as a resource during difficult or stressful times can help you find work happiness. This is so that you can rely on them to assist you in problem-solving, validate your accomplishments, and identify the positive aspects of your current role. If you don’t already have a reliable mentor, think about reaching out to people in your professional network to see if they can fill this position.
Stay positive
Finding the good in your work experience can also keep you content and make you more productive. Considering a challenge as a learning opportunity, for instance, might be enjoyable if you value professional development. A way to enjoy your current job might also be to have good working relationships.
Communicate and collaborate
You can feel happier at work by cultivating positive professional interactions through appropriate communication and teamwork. If you can, try establishing friendly relationships with coworkers and reaching out to them in constructive ways. Collaborating with others to solve problems can also make you feel successful and productive at work, which may enhance your happiness.
Pursue new challenges
Finding fulfilling work challenges in your current position may contribute to your happiness at work, particularly if you enjoy picking up new skills and achieving new objectives. If it makes sense for your situation, think about talking to a leader about your role and tasks to see if you can take on any new or additional tasks. To support your career satisfaction, try to complete meaningful tasks in your role on your own if you can.
Consider changing positions
If you want to pursue workplace happiness, you may want to think about changing jobs. If you’ve tried everything to make your current job more enjoyable, you might want to look for alternative work to improve your job satisfaction. When looking for a new job, make a list of the priorities you want to emphasize and keep an open mind about the factors that don’t have as much of an impact on your happiness. Utilize online tools to look for job postings that might match the priorities you’ve determined.
You could also use your professional network to find new opportunities that align with your main sources of happiness. If you are still working in your current position, be careful when networking because it depends on whether you want your employer to know that you are thinking about changing jobs.
Benefits of being happy with your job
Your professional and personal wellbeing may increase if you enjoy your work. Here are some benefits of being happy with your job:
FAQ
What to do when you are not happy with your job?
- Evaluate why you’re unhappy.
- Find a purpose.
- Talk with your boss (or quit)
- Find a new field.
- Change your mindset.
Should you leave a job if you are unhappy?
If you find yourself in a situation where it is difficult for you to even show up to work, much less become enthusiastic and perform at a high level, you should leave.
How long should you stay unhappy at a job?
Try to stay at your job for at least a year if you’re uncertain about it. Anything less than a year may raise a concern for a hiring manager, according to Sullivan. The one-year rule is still the best practice, but there are some indications that it isn’t as widely believed to be unbreakable as it once was.
