If you can change your job, then do it; if you can’t change your job, or you don’t want to, then be happy@work.
Everyone can be happy if they do what they love. It is super easy, isn’t it? But what about doing a job, one which may not be very interesting, satisfying, or creative, and yet still be happy? This is a challenge! A challenge which gives you the opportunity to grow as a person. But the question is: “Can all people do what they love as their job?” I don’t know. Maybe yes, maybe no. But I am sure that we can all learn how to be happy at work. And it is easier than you can imagine. I would like to share my recipe with you.
First, accept the fact that you do what you do. Accepting this means “I do this job and it is absolutely ok.” Say yes to what you do. Escaping, lying, focusing on an imaginary future better life can’t create harmony within yourself. When we are not able to accept our situation in life, we feel pressured because we aren’t doing anything to change it even though we are unhappy with our lives, or some aspect of our lives.
Second, be present. Do your tasks as well as you can, pay attention to your duties (don’t watch the clock), and devote your energies to each step and try not to concentrate just on the result but on the present moment.
Third, be thankful. Try to realize what you have. Many people dream about having what you have. Try to see the positive in each situation. If you are positive towards others, they will return that positivity. Look through the window and notice the beautiful things around you. They are everywhere. Enjoy the feeling when you open your eyes in the morning and be thankful for that.
Fourth, realize all the positive things that your job gives you: money, pleasant company, various benefits. You have many opportunities: to meet new, interesting people and maybe build friendships; to learn new things; to collaborate and to create; to build your self-confidence. Give your energy to positive things at work and try not to concentrate on the negative. There are always two sides of a coin and only you can decide how you see it. If you still feel undervalued, underappreciated, or unsatisfied, then try to accept this feeling, don’t fight with. It can help you to achieve change.
Fifth, your work is important even if you do reconciliations, reporting, journal vouchers or analysis. Yes, we are not saving people’s lives every day, but from a global perspective our job is valuable too. Recognize the small good things you can do at work. Your kindness, helpfulness, thankfulness, openness, empathy, conscientiousness can change other lives.
Sixth, follow your passions. Our passions are like food for our souls. You can do it alongside your job, too. You just need to want to do it. A positive attitude can only help you. Paint, dance, do yoga, sing, write …. You can do whatever you want.
Life is not inherently good or bad, it is about the way you see it. As Gertrude Stein said, “A rose is a rose is a rose is a rose.” Or as William Shakespeare said, “A rose by any other name would still smell as sweet.”