We don’t all love our jobs every day. And doing something you have passion for doesn’t make the work part of it any easier. It just makes you less likely to quit.
Kate Jacobs (The Friday Night Knitting Club)
Do you have the job of your dreams? Do you love getting up every day and going to work? Do you get home and think, “I can’t believe they pay me money to do that?”
If you do, would you please drop me a line, because I’d love to chat with you!
And if you don’t, you are in company with the vast majority of workers.
Not that you completely hate your job, but maybe you don’t feel it’s your life purpose.
And certainly, you wouldn’t do it free.
Love it or leave it?
I find people often think they either need to love their job, or go find another one.
But what if you’re somewhere in between. What if you know it’s not your life purpose, but it’s where you’re going to be for now?
How do you breathe life and energy into going to work everyday?
Here are 3 strategies for getting along with your job, especially if it’s not your life’s calling. Maybe someday you will find the thing that is.
Until then, I urge you to find the purpose and empowerment in where you are.
[1] Teach
I have a client in a very difficult, highly specialized work situation. She moved across the country to take a new job in a very egocentric business.
As soon as I heard the whole story about her work situation, I knew she was there to lead.
“Linda, you are not there for you.” I said, “You are there for the other women who are being intimidated and bullied. They need you to model a better way to respond to the circumstances they are in.”
And that’s exactly what she did.
Would she love being somewhere else? Yep.
But what she’s doing there is important work; for her, and for the others. She is showing them how to carry themselves with grace and dignity through a difficult situation.
She is teaching them. They have told her that they’ve never seen anyone respond with such a professional demeanor in that situation. She is changing their lives.
So one question to ask yourself about your job is this: Are you there to teach, or are you there to learn?
[2] Learn
I find learning a tremendous motivator. If I’m not learning something, it feels like I’m rolling backwards. And I get bored.
A few years ago I went back to graduate school, which was a tremendous learning experience. And it supplemented the relatively predictable and unstimulating nature of my job.
That may not be your thing. But you might find other ways to create a learning experience where you are, for example:
- Take classes offered through your employer on personal or professional development; maybe a topic like Leadership Development or Emotional Intelligence. Perhaps a deeper dive on your industry.
- Find a mentor to teach you about a part of the organization that you are interested in, but that’s not familiar to you.
- Work on a project that will stretch your skill set, or mix you in with a group of unfamiliar people.
- Subscribe to services like The Great Courses, or, download the numerous free lectures from OpenCulture.com, or iTunes University.
- Start a book group at work to read and discuss work or non-work related topics.
- Find a corporate coach or professional mentor (ahem).
Whether you gain new knowledge, develop new skills or enjoy new experiences that push your boundaries, find ways to keep learning.
[3] Make time outside of work count.
When work isn’t awesome, your time outside of work counts even more. It might be tempting to go home and couch surf, but I urge you not to. It’s not good for your physical or mental well-being.
You need energy and motion to balance out your less than perfect work life.
- Commit to a recreational activity, preferably one that involves movement. Walking. tennis, golf, or bowling. Schedule it into your life.
- Volunteer somewhere.
- Structure regular family or group activities that will engage you and make your heart happy.
Do something that will give you the inspiration and forward motion you need.
It’s up to you.
Your job fills an important role in your life. It’s not, however, like standing under a shower of flowing water that miraculously meets all your needs.
Even when you are doing your life’s work, it’s not that way.
You must pull all the levers that lie only within your control, so that you can get along better with your job.
Your action for this week:
What are you doing to get along better with your job? Leave a comment below and let me know!
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LeaMcLeod My pleasure Lea – great article! Hope you’re having a terrific Monday.