Five Tips to Increase Your Job Satisfaction
by | Physical
On a scale of 1 to 10, how much does this quote annoy you:
“Choose a job you love, and you’ll never have to work a day in your life.”
OK, it’s a great quote — in theory. In a perfect world, we could all make enough money doing only things that fulfill us. We’d all be happy and less stressed, and no doubt the world would be a better place.
But the reality is not quite so simple, is it? We absolutely should strive to make changes and advancements in our careers that bring us closer in alignment with our passions. It’s not healthy to spend most of our lives doing things that make us miserable.
But.
There are bills to pay. Kids to take care of. Parents to take care of. Schedules to keep. Not to mention an unending list of cultural, social, environmental, and other lifestyle factors that impact how each of us is able to actually earn a living.
So, if you’re not at a place in your life where you can quit your nine-to-five, move to your favorite tropical getaway, and spend your days lounging while you earn passive income, is there a middle ground?
Yes. There are ways you can work with what you have and take steps to improve your current work situation and environment. That’s what we’re looking at today.
Five simple ways to increase your job satisfaction
If your dream is to switch careers or industries, you should take steps that bring you closer to that goal. But for the here and now, there are also things you can do to make each day — in your current environment — just a little bit better.
Take a look at our top five and see if any resonate with you enough to start implementing them today:
Take responsibility for creating a positive environment
While it can be nice to commiserate with coworkers about problems, getting caught in a constant cycle of complaining and negative talk is not healthy.
Spend more time with positive coworkers. Can’t find any? Talk to your current group of work friends about implementing more positive talk and limiting the negative.
Boost your confidence daily
Here’s a good reminder: No one is great at everything. But we all have those certain things we excel at. Identify what yours is.
Now find a way to do that thing you’re great at every single day. You deserve that feeling of satisfaction, and it works wonders for your fulfillment.
Get up and move once an hour
It’s not as daunting as it sounds — it only has to be for one to three minutes. Not only is the movement good for your body, it’ll make you feel better and be more productive.
Moving your limbs increases blood flow to your brain, which improves creativity and mood. Go for a walk around the building, do a lap on the stairs, walk to a coworker’s office, or sneak in some squats behind your desk. Just move!
Learn how to advocate for yourself
Is there one task that you absolutely dread doing? Maybe you can talk to your manager about how to alleviate that thorn. Even if you can’t eliminate the task from your plate, maybe there’s a way to do it differently or get some help.
Make your goals manageable
If you have big, hairy goals that seem as unreachable as the next galaxy, try to carve out smaller pieces that you can reach. Crossing off a bite-sized goal every day will keep you motivated and inspired.
Start increasing your job satisfaction today
Working toward job satisfaction is important to your mental health and overall wellness. Simply recognizing that it’s a missing piece in your life and an important step to take!
Take some time to reflect on your professional situation today. Even if you’re not in a position to make drastic changes, can you take any of the small steps above to start improving your situation? It can also help to find someone to talk to, whether a trusted loved one or a professional who can help you find your way to increased job satisfaction.