I love my job
I do like my job- its great! I love the people, the building, my desk. I have a big smile on my face when I start work. Does that mean I do not have difficult days or that I like everything I do in that job? Well no there are aspects of my job I do not enjoy and would happily delegate them if I could.
There is research to show that happiness at work makes you more productive. Shawn Anchor says in his TED talk, If you can raise somebody’s level of positivity in the present, then their brain experiences a “happiness advantage”. Your brain when positive performs significantly better than at negative, neutral or stressed. Your intelligence rises, your creativity rises, your energy levels rise. In fact, he’s found that every single business outcome improves. Your brain at positive is 31% more productive than your brain at negative, neutral or stressed. You’re 37% better at sales. Doctors are 19 percent faster, more accurate at coming up with the correct diagnosis when positive instead of negative, neutral or stressed. Shawn Achor: The happy secret to better work | TED Talk
Everything is better when you are happy
Well that’s obvious Maria – you might say. Yes everything is better when you are happy (eye roll) – that’s obvious. But no-one has a boss like mine and my co-workers are horrid and lazy. I am the only person who does any work. I get no recognition and paid less than everyone else and therefore I cannot be happy in this job.
So what is the answer? Usually the answer is change and change big. Change job, change house and change partner. Where will that get you- will a different job or house or partner make you happier? Well possibly that may be an outcome but could it also be that the same thing happens with your new job/house/partner. You have heard of people moving to the opposite side of the world to have a “better life” and in fact taking and finding the same problems there.
What is the answer?
Could looking at what is going on in your work be worth doing? If you can see how your thoughts, feeling and actions are affecting your work life then this can help you identify the areas that are not producing joy as well as those areas that are bringing your joy. (Yes there will be areas that are bringing you joy even if that is the pay cheque at the end of the month!).
I used to think that work was a necessary evil in my life. I did not like it one bit. It stopped me doing all the things I really wanted to do like stay in bed all day and watch films and eat a lot of chocolate. I was very happy not working. But was this really true?
Through coaching I came to realise I needed purpose in my life and I needed to be part of a team and all that brings with it. I do enjoy the challenges I face and overcome everyday. I feel accomplished and fulfilled which was something I never thought possible. It did take time and work on my part to have the courage to open up my mind and have a look at my thoughts in the cold light of day. Were they true and did they serve me? In the main, I found my mind wanting me to be safe (hence the bed and chocolate). After all that’s how the human brain has kept the species going for millennia.
What I realised was that I needed challenge, responsibility and human interaction in the shape of being part of a team. Once I realised that, going to work got easier- though on dark early mornings I do have to remind myself!
How can I help you find joy in your job?
If you have lost the joy in your job and want to love your job and move forward, come and have a chat with me and see how I can help you at The Professionals Coach
