How to Find Happiness In Your Work

There are many kinds of work or "daily grinds" today. In the U.S. Corporate world, to be busy working 12-16 hours a day is a sign of importance and ambition. The more time you spend at your job, the more you are envied—the harder you work, the higher you rise up the corporate ladder (or so it would seem). Somehow we’ve gotten this work thing all wrong. Originally, work was not intended to be a grind, where we are crushed, pressed, mashed, and pounded into completing tasks and satisfying responsibilities. It was intended to be an object of pleasure, enjoyment, and fulfillment. There is more to work than just paying your dues from nine to five working out the daily grind. So, if you’re going to spend an average of eight to twelve hours exerting energy on a task or two, you must find ways to enjoy it! Consider these 7 steps.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Choose to delight in your work. It’s important to have a positive attitude towards work and reject a critical and complaining one.

2. Make a deliberate choice to be satisfied with your work. There are no perfect jobs because there are no perfect people. It is unrealistic to believe that the grass will be greener in another department or company.

3. Commit to your work by consistently carrying out duties and responsibilities. Remember that work is a prime developer of your character and ability to successfully interact with others in society.

4. Never stop learning and acquiring new skills. Do your work with wisdom, knowledge and competence by keeping skill levels sharp and fresh.

5. Don’t wait for the company to provide opportunities for professional development. Seek them out.

6. Take responsibility for your own training and career growth by investing time and resources in further education and skill acquisition.

7. Work smart. Working this way can give meaning and purpose to life. When you work smart, you use your whole being—mind, body, and spirit. It includes a total focus of personality, skill, and intellect—all parts of the body working in harmony to accomplish a task. You know that you have worked smart, when at the end of the task, there is a balanced result of sweet exhaustion and the satisfaction of completion.

Tips & Warnings

• Use the Resources below to increase your joy at work.

Resources

• Explore The Career Toolbox
• Find Happiness & Fulfillment in Your Work

[EnlightenedPen]

on 6/29/2008 I really agree with step 7...I try to "work smart" in all areas of life, not just work. Thanks for the tip!

[MIghtyDreamer]

on 6/9/2008 It's a kind of a shame that people won't read articles about coming to terms with working for someone because sometimes it may be a twist in the writing on subject in the finding of peace at one's job that will help fund outside projects and goals quicker. I speak from experience for my article How to Love You Job, has what I think is one of the funniest and informative prospective on disposition that effects more than loving your job, but also yourself. Sometimes, while building our own businesses while with the need of working for someone else, we can get stipulated from moving forward faster. What could help is finding the peace in a job that we have. I like your points Althea. Vote from me.