Do you enjoy your job?
By Melinda Howard Erickson
Do you look forward to going to work?
Or do you count the minutes until you can leave work at the end of the day? Does a co-worker drive you nuts? Do you think you deserve more respect and recognition? Would you like to feel more appreciated? Are you being passed over for raises and promotions?
All of those questions really come down to this one: how happy are you at work?
The fact is, work is much more gratifying when you feel good about what you're doing and how you're doing it. But to many people, that's easier-much easier-said than done.
Luckily, there are proven ways that can help just about anyone get more enjoyment and fulfillment from their job.
How to get that I-feel-good-about-my-job feeling
There are many things that contribute to your sense of accomplishment and satisfaction at work. But at the top of the list are:
- Recognition
- Appreciation
- Respect
- Knowing that you're valued by your employer as well as your colleagues
"That's great," you may think. "But how do I get the recognition, appreciation, and respect that will make me feel better about my job?" It would take more than a short time to answer that question, but here are some great ways to get started.
Know what's expected of you
The first secret to being happier at work is surprisingly simple: make sure you know exactly what's expected of you. After all, no one can do well if they don't know what they're supposed to be doing! If you don't have a job description, ask for one, and make sure you and your employer understand and agree. Do everything you can to learn about your company's history, mission, and unique culture. Understand company policies, principles of conduct, dress code, and general business etiquette.
Make yourself valuable
The more value you have the more recognized and appreciated you are - and it's very important to continue to be an asset to the company you're working for. There are several things you can do to maintain and improve your value, a few of which are to: find an edge, a special skill - or several special skills that set you apart. Work to excel at something of value that is challenging and useful to your specific type of work. Continue to learn. Become proficient at many different things while continuing to hone your existing skills.
Be flexible and open to change
When we get use to something it's often very uncomfortable when it changes. The feeling of uncertainty with a new situation is normal, but things usually change for a good reason. Life is always changing - and will be much more pleasant if you can adapt. Be flexible - and try to imagine all the good things that might happen as a result of the change. Also, be open to the improvements in your work environment. They'll likely make your job more pleasant and you don't want to be left behind! And think about all the changes you've been through that have resulted in a positive experience!
Have realistic expectations about your job
Just as you need to know what your employer expects from you, it's important for you to know what to expect from your job. When your expectations are too high - or too low, it's easy to end up disappointed. Anticipation has a way of building things up in your mind and reality seldom matches the mental images you've formed. Businesses exist to make a profit. Even though you may not agree, try to remember that decisions are made in the best interest of the company.
Work with difficult people
Working with difficult people or people who are just naturally "disagreeable" is one of the biggest challenges at work - or anywhere. Try to understand what is motivating them to be so unpleasant, and eventually you'll know what to expect from their behavior. This gives you an advantage - and an opportunity to work with them in a proactive rather than a reactive way. Your ability to work with difficult people will earn you a great deal of appreciation and respect from your employer and co-workers.
Be a team player
If you want to be a valuable team player, you need to have value for the other team members and their roles as well as your own. Great accomplishments are not the product of an individual effort - they need to include the participation and consideration of everyone on the team. Understand what contributions you're expected to make and also what you can do to make the entire team successful. Observe other team players you admire and learn from their actions.
There are numerous other qualities that will insure your recognition and respect at work, including taking responsibility, being reliable, being productive, helping others, having good communications skills, being loyal, and knowing and practicing good business etiquette and common sense - to name a few.
One of the best ways to insure that you get the enjoyment you want out of your job is to communicate with your employer. Ask him for input on your performance and discuss your goals. Continue to sell yourself - and be sure you're doing everything you can to be happy and productive. Your success at work is in your employer's best interest.
Regardless of where you work or what you do, these suggestions are key not only to enjoying your job, but also to achieving job security and getting ahead. The more you understand how you can affect your own happiness at work, the more recognized, appreciated, respected, and valued you will be.
Try it-you may be surprised at how much it can improve the way you feel about going to work!
