The Watercooler

Fall in Love All Over Again – with Your Career!

If you’re like most working Americans, you spend more time at work than you do with your family – which means that the way you feel about your job is incredibly important.

Like all relationships, the one you have with your career will have its ups and downs. And while you don’t have to love your job to perform adequately, being happy in your work provides several advantages:

  • You have more energy to put into doing your work well.
  • You feel more confident because you’re doing something which leverages your strengths and aligns with what you really want.
  • Persistence is easier even when things are challenging.
  • You enjoy the rest of your life more because work isn’t a drain.

Not feeling the love? Here’s what to do:

If the “honeymoon phase” is over for you and your 9-to-5, a box of chocolates and a dozen roses won’t improve your situation. Sustaining a great relationship takes real work! Use these tips to rekindle the magic and fall in love all over again with your career:

  • Look at the big picture. What do you want right now? Where do you see yourself in 3, 5 or even 10 years? How can your job bring you closer to where you want to be? Take a step back from your daily grind and consider ways you could set yourself back on a more meaningful – and happier – path.
  • Imagine yourself being more fulfilled on the job. Research has shown that envisioning success in your mind’s eye is the first step in achieving it. Picture yourself loving what you do – and it just might impact the way you behave, as well as how others respond to you.
  • Address pain points. You may not be able to instantly change any aspect of your job that’s less-than-wonderful, but sometimes making a single meaningful modification can dramatically improve the way you feel about work. Make a list of the aspects of your position that create the most strife – do what you can to change factors within your control.
  • Ask for what you want. Would better pay, more flexibility, greater responsibility or a shift in duties make you happier in your job? If your expectations aren’t being met, remember that your boss can’t read your mind. Organize your thoughts, and then schedule time to ask for what you want. Just be sure to keep the conversation positive, constructive and focused on solutions (whining will only backfire).

Not loving your job?  PrideStaff can help.

Whether it’s culture, compensation, lack of career development opportunity, or a difficult manager that’s causing your dissatisfaction, it’s important to remember that you do have options.

Make PrideStaff one of those options. Our staffing specialists can help you examine your skills, interests and career goals. With offices across the nation, and a wide range of administrative jobs, professional jobs, IT jobs and light industrial jobs, we can match you with an opportunity you truly love.  Contact the PrideStaff office in your area to find out more about great local job opportunities.