How to Love Your Job

If you’re lucky enough to love your job, the saying goes that you’ll never work a day in your life. You’ll feel so happy, challenged and fulfilled by your role that it will hardly feel like working at all. But for the vast majority of us, the reality can be very different. By the time you reach your mid-twenties, it’s possible that you will already have worked a number of jobs. Some positive experiences, and others negative. There are times in our life where it is easy and convenient to switch jobs or even stop working altogether. But as time goes on and our responsibilities increase, the ease (and appeal) of switching jobs starts to wane. We may have been fortunate and landed a job that makes use of all our skills and gets us further on the path every day of where we want to be. But what if that is not the case? What if you are tied to your job, at least for the time being, but struggling to enjoy it? There are several ways, both practical and psychological, that you can improve the situation. With a bit of thought and effort, you can transform even the most tedious job into one that truly benefits you and others.

Consider How It Benefits You

After the stress of the commute and maybe a run-in with an annoying colleague, it can be easy to forget the ways in which our job benefits us. In the Western world in particular, we rarely appreciate how fortunate we are to have jobs. We have the luxury of being able to earn a regular income and shape our lives and identities with meaningful jobs. Whether your job feels meaningful to you or not, consider it carefully. How does it benefit you? Even in small ways. The first and most obvious is, of course, money. Having a form of income is a very positive thing and something we should really try to appreciate. Even if that income is not at the top end of where we would like to be in future. Think also whether you’re benefitting from any special discounts or privileges. Then move onto the ways in which it is benefitting you socially. Perhaps you’re mixing with people you would never normally have had the chance to. Or perhaps your job is training you to cope with a variety of situations that may seem stressful but will actually make you a stronger person. Even those horrible early mornings are actually of benefit to us because they stop us from wasting the day and train us to be punctual.

Get Comfortable

If there is something physical bothering you about your workspace then try to address it. If you are hot because there is no air, bring in a fan. If you are always cold at work then have an extra sweater stashed under the desk. Even smaller details like ensuring your clothes are comfortable can make a day seem so much easier. A hydrating contact lens, one that keeps eyes from getting dry, is the preferred choice for wearers who use lenses at work, for example. Also keep your workspace clear and organized to feel more clear and organized yourself. A small change to your comfort level can have a big impact on your mood.

Change What You Can, Accept What You Cannot

Get in the habit of communicating openly. If something bothers you, attempt to change it. If it cannot be changed then train yourself to be genuinely accepting and adaptable. Use your job as an opportunity to train yourself in patience, people skills, and thinking positive.

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