You might be familiar with the Chinese proverb that says, “Choose a job you love and you will never have to work a day in your life.” This is easier said than done, as I have witnessed with so many of my clients.
In a stressed economy with increasing debt due to higher costs of living, many people just have a job that they “tolerate.” According to Gallup, approximately 68% of US workers are either “not engaged” or “actively disengaged” in their jobs.
The Gallup describes engaged employees as workers that are “involved in, enthusiastic about and committed to their work and workplace.” These are the happy workers. With almost 7 out of 10 workers unengaged in the US, clearly many people are struggling to find happiness at work.
I hear it over and over again, “I want to find a job that I love and one that will make me happy.” Yet, many people don’t really know what they “love” or what will make them “happy.” So they bounce from job to job and never find what they are looking for.
This is just sad, sad, sad…
Why Being Happy First May Help Unhappy Workers?
Oh, but all hope is not lost. If are an avid reader of my blog, you will know that there is always a way to find the good in anything. However, it takes some effort… and dare I say…it takes some work.
As Pema Chödrön, “You are the sky. Everything else – it’s just the weather.”
Your happiness starts inside. Your job is just a circumstance, which is only 10% of your happiness set point. Click here to learn more about the happiness set point.
If you want to be happy at work, then you might want to consider the following tips:
- Find your own personal happiness first. Changing jobs may not be the answer. If you are not already authentically happy inside, then you might want to fix that first. I have seen many of my clients quit their jobs and go into other jobs that only make them happy temporarily. Get happy first.
- Figure out what your strengths are. There is an assessment from the Authentic Happiness website from Penn State that can help you do this. When you understand what your strengths are, then you can find a career (not a job) that is a good match for your talents.
- Change your perspective. Changing your attitude about your job may help change your perspective. It may not, if this is the case, then consider looking for a new job. Also finding gratitude in what you have might also help you feel happier in your current job situation.
Final Happy Thoughts
Make every day meaningful. We are not robots just going through the motions. Find ways to be grateful and happy for what you have, including your job/career. This lesson is simple. Still, it may not be easy. With everything we want in life, there is some effort that we have to put in. Be patient and be happy.
What do you think?
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