75 Ways to love your work (and be actively engage in your job without hating it!)
Eighty-five percent of workers worldwide admit to hating their jobs according to a Gallup. The research found that many people in the world hate their jobs and especially their boss. But they don’t necessarily hate the company or organisation they work for.
Quitting is an easy way out
While it is easy to think that we could find another job elsewhere, the grass is not always greener on the other side.
The International Labour Organization’s flagship report shows that while the global unemployment rate is stabilising, unemployment and decent work deficits will stay at persistently high levels in many parts of the world.
Slightly more than 172 million people globally were unemployed in 2018. That is about 2 million less than the previous year. The International Labor Organization expects the global unemployment rate of five percent to remain essentially unchanged over the next few years.
Therefore, if you currently have a job, consider yourself very lucky. There are many people who are desperately looking for jobs and can’t find one. The job market has become very competitive and depressing.
In fact, there are more than 62 problems and challenges faced by workers in workplaces.
Quitting your job prior to securing your next job is not a wise move.
You may even bring the same problems that you are currently experiencing to your next job!
Finding a new job is more complex than you think
With more job applicants trying to find work in a depressed wage growth job market, it is becoming harder to find a job that matches all the requirements of your dream job.
In reality, your dream job doesn’t exist. You have to create it.
The methods of job hunting have also changed substantially. Endlessly searching online job sites for vacancies is considered the worst strategy for finding work. Writing a cover letter and uploading your resume through job portals is considered a waste of time.
There’s no perfect job on earth
It’s worth remembering that all work is a compromise.
Job hunting requires realistic expectations of what you consider as your ideal job. It requires trade-offs to be made.
While it may not be perfect or what you want to do for the rest of your life but focus on what you can do in the present to make your job better.
‘A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush’
This saying holds true for it’s better to hold on to the certainty of your current job than to lose it by trying to attain ‘something better’, which is uncertain.
It is also the low hanging fruit for you to re-ignite the love or interest again for the job you are currently doing.
By doing so, you can learn more about yourself and understand the root cause of your dissatisfaction or hatred for your current job. Use this as a learning opportunity and positively develop yourself to be a better person ready for your next job.
Love your work but don’t change your job, yet.
Take personal responsibility for your life
Oftentimes we blame other people and circumstances for keeping us from achieving the life we want or the work we enjoy. We make excuses for why we don’t have a thriving career we love, a romantic relationship that nourishes us, or the body we want.
The truth is that everything good and everything bad in your life has been directly created by you. You create your life with the decisions you make, big and small, each and every day.
The good news?
If you don’t like what you have, you have the power to change it!
You create the future you want.
This means creating the work you want!
Only when all else fails, develop an exit strategy
Only when you’ve done all the following things listed below and there’s just no way to love what you are doing, then consider moving on.
Until that happens, you cannot just run away from the problem that needs fixing. It is pointless to bring the same problems into your next job.
Find out the root cause of your work dissatisfaction
First off, take a deep breath. Then take a couple of minutes and really think about why your job sucks.
There may be internal or external factors causing the dissatisfaction. Thinking in this way will help you begin to consider possible solutions that will make your work situation better.
There are 75 possible solutions for you to consider that is listed below from the easiest to hardest.
There are a lot of ways to rekindle the passion and love for your work. It’s not a matter of doing everything on this list but picking the ones that work best for you. Remember you know yourself best.
Some may not be long-term solutions. But after determining what you don’t like about your job, you can find short-term solutions that will make your time spent at work more bearable and ultimately more enjoyable.
(1) Ask for family support
You may just need a bit more family support and love for the work you are currently doing.
Talk to your family, spouse or partner about your work frustrations. They may offer emotional and practical support for you over the short-term like giving you space or re-organising the housework or school pick-ups.
But be beware of whom you take advice from. You might get the wrong advice!
(2) Reorganise your home commitments
In addition to work, many people are caring for their children or ageing parents. As dual-income families are common, you may need to manage “work-life conflict” that could lead to burnouts, frustration, and stress.
(3) Be grateful that you have a job
Always remember that there are many unemployed people desperately looking for jobs to put food on their tables. They would love to have the job you hate and exchange places if possible.
So, don’t take it for granted that you have a job. It pays the bills and be grateful for it.
(4) Make a ‘gratitude list’
Write down all the little and big things that you’re grateful for. For example, the coffee you drink at work, the public transport you take, the people you interact with, etc.
In listing down everything that you’re thankful for, it will help you feel more optimistic and positive about your current circumstances.
(5) Remind yourself why you took the job in the first place
Unless you were forced to take the job at gunpoint, it was your choice to take up your current job in the first place. There was something that attracted you to the job. Something has caused you to be excited about the work you were going to do.
Think back to the initial job offer and reflect on why you accepted it. Perhaps you’re making good money, working for a good cause, have job flexibility, or have great job benefits.
Even if things have changed since you started, keep in mind why you first accepted the job.
(6) Adjust your expectations
As we age, our expectations of work and life will change. The work you once loved in your twenties may have changed in your thirties or forties.
Work may not have changed, but in all likelihood, you may have changed. It’s not a cause for despair, but rather a sign that things have changed.
When this occurs, it is time to readjust your expectations and what you are expecting out of your work in the future.
(7) Develop a daily habit for high performance
Create daily and weekly positive habits where they include reflection, journaling, and exercise. These activities can help you create a calm and productive workday and shift your mindset.
Do have an end-of-day habit that can help you wind-down just before bed to reflect and bring gratitude after a long day.
(8) Create a daily space for reflection and journaling
Having time for daily reflection and journaling can be powerful habits to recharge and focus your mind, energy, and activities. They will improve your concentration, motivation, and productivity.
(9) Know your personality
You can know your personality by taking a Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) personality ‘test’. This will provide guidance as to your work preferences based on your personality type.
The way you perform your work should be aligned with your personality. If you are required to perform work that is contrary to your personality, you will naturally hate the job.
For example, if you are introverted, meeting a new prospect and converting them into a paying customer may likely be something you will hate doing.
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(10) Show up to work consistently early
Just being physically present at work early can positively shift your mindset and give you the momentum to turn things around for the better.
This may be counter-intuitive, but it puts your frame of mind in the right perspective by starting early and getting ready to do the work.