6 Strategies to Feel More Satisfied With Your Work

Your contentment and general well-being may suffer if you wake up dreading heading to work every morning.

Victoria Taylor
Change Becomes You
4 min readFeb 23, 2023

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Photo by Thought Catalog on Unsplash

Even those who adore their employment occasionally experience boredom, irritability, or dissatisfaction with certain parts. In other situations, individuals may feel burned out or unsatisfied with their workplace environment.

Focus On the Positive

Even if parts of your work are psychologically draining, you can improve how you feel about it by concentrating on the aspects you enjoy.

  • What work tasks do you enjoy doing the most?
  • Are there certain things that you wish you could do more of that work?
  • What are you learning from your job?

You should enjoy a few aspects of your work. Use these as a jumping-off point to discover methods to develop professionally.

Ask if you can take on those duties more frequently if there are particular chores that you prefer to complete more than others. Taking on new challenges can help you push yourself to acquire new skills while making your work more fascinating.

Even if your current job isn’t something you want to do forever, it can still be an opportunity to learn, grow, and explore other career directions.

Start Your Day in the Right Mood

According to research, employees who have a pleasant day to commence tend to be more productive and upbeat throughout the day. There is a high possibility that your day won’t get any better if you begin it dreading work or are in a bad mood.

Some parts of your work might be beyond your control, but you can ensure you have something to look forward to each morning.

  • Try listening to your favorite podcast on your way to work.
  • Make sure you spend at least a few minutes outside for some fresh air.
  • Enjoy a favorite pick-me-up, such as a cup of coffee or tea.

A daily routine can help you feel at ease and prepare your body and mind for the workweek.

Where You Can, Make Changes

Even though you might not be able to alter the character of your work, there are still things you can do to make it more compatible with your preferences. For instance, if you prefer social contact to work alone, you might look for methods to participate in more group initiatives or relocate your workplace so that you can interact with people more frequently.

Such actions can improve your well-being, drive, and pleasure in your work and reduce burnout.

Avoid Negativity

Even if you appreciate your job, working in a toxic environment can make you miserable and anxious. You can do some things to ensure that your workplace is a more positive place to be, even if it is not feasible for you to change the business culture entirely. Some options are as follows:

  • Avoid workplace gossip.
  • Focus on helping colleagues rather than competing with them.
  • Try to redirect the negative conversation.
  • Work on solving problems rather than complaining.

Do your best to keep a distance from certain co-workers if you discover that they are the ones who drag you down or attempt to influence you to participate in toxic behavior.

Make Your Workplace Your Own

Possessing the freedom to customize your workplace may have psychic benefits. You can feel better about the area where you spend most of your day by making minor adjustments.

According to research, those who work in open spaces are less motivated, experience more tension, are less productive, and need more concentration. Due to the lack of seclusion, increased distractions, and loud environments, employees spend more cognitive resources handling these stressors than on actual work.

You may feel more positive about your work by making minor adjustments to your workplace. Wherever you operate, it’s critical to have the following:

  • A safe, ergonomic work area.
  • Good lighting.
  • A comfortable room temperature.

Your money may only constrain your choices if you work from home. Place items that encourage and drive you to work in your workspace.

Your choices may be more restricted if you work in less adaptable places, like a factory or a retail establishment. During the workweek, minor adjustments like having personal things in your locker or the employee rest area can bring comfort and reduce tension.

Find Meaning In Your Job

Finding methods that your work is having an impact on is one way to feel better about your employment. According to research, people who believe their job has meaning are more engaged and effective.

You can find meaning in your work in a variety of ways, for example:

  • Building positive relationships with co-workers and clients.
  • Focusing on some of the reasons why you work, such as providing for your family and saving for the future.
  • Thinking about ways that your job benefits your community.

It’s not necessary to believe that your work is transforming the world to find purpose in your career. Finding a means to make a contribution that gives you a feeling of satisfaction and meaning can be to your family, neighborhood, or society.

Conclusion

The truth is that many individuals experience periods of work dissatisfaction. According to a Gallup study, 13% of American employees were actively disengaged.

Even if your long-term objective is to change jobs or careers, there are things you can do right away to make your current work simpler. You can choose how you respond to circumstances even if you cannot leave your present employment or if your co-workers are talking or fostering a toxic work environment. Finding methods to improve your attitude toward your work can also make you feel happier, healthier, and more fulfilled.

This article was co-written with a therapist from Sensera — a self-help app that provides daily CBT audio sessions and exercises. The app helps people deal with a variety of mental issues (anxiety, low self-esteem, and relationship problems). Download now to become happier!

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Victoria Taylor
Change Becomes You

I'm working to manage my low self-esteem and ongoing anxiety. Wanna assist others. My self-therapy app: https://sensera.app