We spend so much time at work, we’re bound to feel frustrated or unhappy at some stage. With routine can come the feeling of boredom, so it’s easy to fall into a period of unhappiness.
Happiness at work depends on many factors. Luckily, many of them are within your control. With a bit of effort, motivation and commitment, you can achieve the happiness you want at work.
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Do away with the negatives
It’s natural to have ups and downs at some point during your career – depending on how you perceive these issues, focusing on the negatives can really take a toll on your level of happiness. It can be hard to detach yourself from it. Rather than dwelling on the negatives, focus on solving each issue as it comes, and then don’t look back. Negative experiences make us stronger as individuals, so it’s important to see it all as part of your experience in your career, and leave it in the past (and if it was a mistake, learn from it and don’t let it happen again in future).
Socialise
Just started a new job? This is the perfect time to start socialising.
According to the City Socializer blog, socialising reduces stress and alleviates depression. Even if you don’t consider them friends, taking the opportunity to build stronger relationships with your work colleagues will help breed positive communication at work. When you have some free time, try and get involved in conversation, whether it’s speaking up in meetings, or just having a conversation over a cup of tea.
Growth
The ultimate goal for a successful career is usually to progress. Therefore you should identify any opportunity to develop your role. Don’t shy away from opportunities, even if you’re scared you’ll fail. Trying, and not succeeding, or achieving, is all a part of the growth and experience you’ll gain for a successful career.
You can start small with this – read relevant articles for your industry/job, or get involved with a new project. You could even find a more efficient way to execute a task. You could also try mixing up your routine so that you don’t feel like you’re doing the same thing every day.
Avoid holding grudges
If you’ve worked at the same company for a number of years, there may be parts of the company, or particular people you’ve held a grudge against during your time there. This isn’t healthy and falls hand in hand with letting go of the negatives at work. Don’t take anything personally, and let go of any petty disagreements you have with other members of staff. Grudges can stop you from progressing at work, and it will likely affect your behaviour and feelings towards others. Don’t let this hold you back from getting the most out of your career.
Don’t get jealous
If you’re the type of person who gets jealous of another person’s success at work, this can hinder your chances of developing your own career. Stop worrying about what everyone else is doing around you, and focusing on being the best you. If you enjoy the company you’re working at, try to transfer those feelings of jealousy into how this person’s success will benefit your company.
However, if your jealousy is down to being passed up repeatedly for a promotion, or you’re never rewarded for good work, then it might just be time to move on to a new job.
Communicate issues
If you’re having problems at work that are affecting your happiness or productivity, don’t be afraid to discuss this with your manager. By communicating your issues, your manager can hopefully help you improve your situation. It could be something minor like a coworker disagreement, or that you feel like you deserve a salary raise. The worst thing that can happen is the company cannot accommodate the raise. But having the confidence to talk to your manager openly will improve your level of communication at work, which is a great skill to have for your career.
Don’t waste your energy
Life is too short to do a job you don’t love. So make the most of your time in employment and find small ways to make work more enjoyable for yourself and other employees.
Happiness is not something you should expect to be provided – you have to change what you are doing in the hope that you find happiness in the workplace. Don’t just make your work a priority, make happiness your priority too. Once you’ve identified ways to improve how you feel at work, there is nothing stopping you from achieving your goals.
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