8 Ways You Can Love Your Job — and Save Your Life
Everybody wants to love their job, not everybody does, yet everybody should.
Why? A recent study found that disengaged employees develop heart disease at a rate 79% higher than those who enjoy their work.
The collective economic burden is vast as well. The New York Times reports that health issues connected to job stress sets the American economy back $200 billion annually — mirroring the cost of Hurricane Katrina.
These are grim figures that need your attention, especially if you fall into the latter group of those who don’t love their job.
But — read on below and follow our expert advice on how to make incremental change, leading to a long, healthy, HAPPY life.
- Share
Yes, this panda cub is adorable, but he hates his job. Know why? He doesn’t share. In order to be happy at work, commit to sharing success with your squad, with room for all to get accolades. Otherwise, you’ll spend your days looking over your shoulder, glowering over why Chichi the panda cub got the ball, and you didn’t. Purveying politics in the workplace WILL make you hate your job. With. Out. Fail.
2. Mentor
As girls, we’re taught to put the needs of other before ourselves to prepare us for motherhood. You don’t need to be tied to the kitchen by apron strings to learn and earn the reward of teaching others and helping them grow. When you’re passionate about what you do, you want to shout it from the rooftops. How about start by sharing it with the young(er), eager talent in the cubicle over using your indoor voice, then move on to screaming with joy into the ether?
3. Be Loyal(esque)
When you accepted your current position, you made a commitment to your company, and they made a commitment to you. But realize promises can sometimes take time to keep, especially navigating complex organizations. Be patient, but don’t be a sucker. When the writing’s on the wall, head for the exit.
4. Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough
Or, to paraphrase the words of Jefferson Starship, “Nothing’s gonna stop us (or me) now.” If you’re passionate about something, keep going. Convince who you need to convince. Don’t lose your love because someone says no or doesn’t see your vision. Push on until someone does, providing backup, information and supportive data along the way.
5. Look Back…
Work is serious stuff, but needn’t be 24/7. We all need fun and laughter to satisfy our souls. If you work in client-based business, rest assured your clients are human and appreciate a good bit of (clean) humor, too. Find your inner-kid and see step 1.
6…And Connect
Can you recall the excitement you felt when you got your first job? What did you love about it? What were your favorite classes in school? What do you enjoy reading or watching or listening to? Connect or trace the elements you love or have loved in the past to what you are doing now. It just may give you a new perspective.
7. Create Your Own Space/Lead By Example
No matter how out of control you feel in your career, realize that ultimately, you are in control of your own destiny. If there’s something you don’t like about how your organization runs, try to change it and make others see the value in that change. Be a positive force and show how doing good can affect business for the better.
8. Move On
If steps 1–7 produce an epic fail, then it may be time to find something new. To find something where you’ll be valued, respected, appreciated and enjoy your job. Because, let’s face it: life is too short to be unhappy, and unhappiness can lead to a shorter life. Health and happiness are around the corner, if you’re open to it.
For example, check out our newly published jobs below and start applying at companies who will value, respect and appreciate you. Don’t have a profile on the PowerToFly hiring platform yet? Sign up here and join our community of 100,000 women looking to love their job, just like you.
Software Engineer — Hearst Media (New York, NY)
DevOps Engineer — Hearst Media (New York, NY)
Automation QA Engineer — Hearst Media (New York, NY)
SVP, Strategy & Projects — adidas (Herzogenaurach,Germany)
Vice President of IT, North America — adidas (Portland, OR)
Key Account Manager, Academy APP — adidas (Houston, TX)
Account Executive — BetterUp (San Francisco, CA)
Software Engineer (Backend) — Casper (New York, NY)
Read more about one of our recently hired developers, who loves her new job!
