Let's face it: we’re not always in love with our jobs. Maybe we clash with a certain co-worker, or perhaps the boss has been calling for late nights just a little too often. The fact of the matter is, a job is a working relationship, and sometimes we just lose that spark.
Being at odds with your job can have an incredibly negative effect on your psyche, motivation, and overall wellbeing, so if only there was something we could do about it…
But of course there is! In this blog we’ll talk about how to “get back that lovin’ feelin’”, how to re-engage, and how to fall back in love with your job!
Own it:
Kerry Hannon, author of “Love Your Job: The New Rules for Career Happiness” shares a valuable first step to this process in Forbes. Stop being a victim. Like any relationship, we have an active role to play in our work and work-related happiness. We need to look for something in the current job that brings joy or fulfillment, and place a greater emphasis on those elements. Instead of spending valuable time and energy at work stewing in irritation about what isn’t working, focus on what is. It’s all about reframing how you look at the benefits and opportunities. With less energy wasted on the negative, you’ll be surprised to find that each day becomes something to look forward to.
Lean on me:
Another factor that contributes to work dissatisfaction is overload and burnout. Not only does it make it hard to relish the parts we enjoy when there’s nary a minute between meetings and deadlines, it also increases stress and leaves us feeling exhausted. But it doesn’t have to be that way all the time. Find ways to delegate work, share the load, and make use of other people’s critical skills to help achieve the desired end result. Not only do many hands make light work, there may well be someone much better suited to help with the parts that you’re struggling with… and for them that might even be part of their job that they love!
Step up:
On the opposite side of the spectrum, some people are unfulfilled or dissatisfied when they feel their skills aren’t being utilized to their fullest, or that their work doesn’t seem to matter. This can be especially hard to overcome in environments where the employee has a difficult time affecting change on their team, so the idea of working harder to get nowhere is particularly unappealing. However, making a conscious effort to engage with your work may be just what you need. Even if you don’t have much say in what project is coming down the pipe next, or how your team manages itself, you can still choose your own fate by actively volunteering to take on responsibilities that highlight your strengths and talents. Not only is this a chance to impress your manager and learn or practice new skills, over time this gives you a more influential voice to bring to bear when you need to.
Change the scene:
Sometimes, it’s not the hours in the workday but the work in the hours. What they say is true: a change of scenery can sometimes provide a beneficial boost. In the current work environment, working from home has become more and more prevalent. If you’re not already telecommuting, consider trying to work out with your manager a day or two a week where you can work from home. Alternatively, a small reduction in hours per week can provide a breath of fresh air where the focus can be on positive outcomes not hours.
To sum it up, just because you’ve fallen out of love with work doesn’t mean it can’t become enjoyable and fulfilling again. There are plenty of ways to reignite the spark that made you start that job in the first place. Not every job is a good fit, and sometimes the best choice is to make a move but it’s up to you to make the most of the job you have right now. Who knows, bringing a fresh perspective and energy to what you do, might help bring the love back.