Do you feel unhappy at work? Do you dread going to the office every morning? Do you wish you could quit and find something more fulfilling? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you are not alone.
Many professionals are unhappy at work for a variety of reasons. According to a 2021 Microsoft survey, 41% of workers globally are thinking about handing in their notice.
If you are among this group, and you intend to hold onto your job until you can take the next step on your own terms, here’s how to change your approach to love the role you currently have.
How to Fall in Love with Your Job Again
- Determine your career commitments
- Amplify what you do best
- Refocus your reputation
- Celebrate your achievements
Shall we examine each step more closely?
Determine your career commitments
The first step to falling in love with your job again is to determine what you want to be known for and what you value most in your career. These are your career commitments, and they guide your decisions and actions. For example, do you want to be known for being innovative, reliable, collaborative, or influential? Do you value learning, growth, impact, or recognition? Write down your career commitments and keep them visible.
Your career commitments can help you align your work with your purpose and passion. They can also help you set boundaries and prioritize what matters most to you. For example, if you value learning, you can seek out opportunities to develop new skills or take on challenging projects. If you value recognition, you can communicate your accomplishments and ask for feedback.
Amplify what you do best
The second step to falling in love with your job again is to amplify what you do best. This means focusing on your strengths and talents and finding ways to use them more often and more effectively. Gallup reports that individuals who utilize their strengths on a daily basis are six times more likely to feel engaged in their work.
To amplify what you do best, start by identifying your top strengths and talents. You can use online assessments such as CliftonStrengths or VIA Character Strengths, or ask for feedback from your colleagues or manager. Then, look for opportunities to apply your strengths and talents in your current role. For example, if you are good at problem-solving, you can volunteer to lead a task force or troubleshoot an issue. If you are good at communication, you can offer to present at a meeting or write a blog post.
By amplifying what you do best, you can increase your confidence and satisfaction at work. You can also showcase your value and contribution to your organization.
Refocus your reputation
The third step to falling in love with your job again is to refocus your reputation. Your reputation is how others perceive you and what they expect from you. It influences how they interact with you, trust you, and support you. Your reputation can also affect your career opportunities and advancement.
To refocus your reputation, start by asking yourself how you want others to see you and what impression you want to make. Pick two or three characteristics that align with your career commitments and write down one example of how you can bring each one to life with aligned actions. For example, if you want others to see you as innovative, you can share new ideas or suggest improvements. If you want others to see you as reliable, you can deliver on your promises and meet deadlines.
Then, be consistent and intentional with your actions. Small shifts in body language, mindset, communication, participation, collaboration, visibility, or productivity can result in a significant impact. For example, if you want others to see you as collaborative, you can smile more often, ask more questions, offer help, or join a cross-functional team.
By refocusing your reputation, you can create a positive feedback loop that reinforces your self-image and motivates you to perform better.
Celebrate your achievements
The fourth and final step to falling in love with your job again is to celebrate your achievements. This means acknowledging and appreciating yourself for the work that you do and the results that you create. Celebrating your achievements can boost your mood, self-esteem, and motivation.
To celebrate your achievements, start by keeping track of them on a daily or weekly basis. You can use a journal, a spreadsheet, or an app to record what you accomplished, how it made a difference, and how it felt. Then, reward yourself for your achievements.
Congratulations, you’ve made it to the end of “How to Fall in Love with Your Job Again”! We hope you’re feeling inspired and ready to take on the world (or at least your job) with renewed enthusiasm and purpose.
Remember, falling in love with your job again is a journey, not a destination. There will be ups and downs, setbacks, and breakthroughs. But if you stay committed to these four steps, you will find that your work becomes more meaningful, your relationships become stronger, and your overall sense of fulfillment and happiness increases.
Follow Level hire on LinkedIn, and join our platform to have access to our latest job offers!
