Trick to Workplace Satisfaction
Tomorrow marks my two year anniversary at my start-up! To me this is a huge accomplishment because I haven't actually worked at a company for longer than a year (yes, I know, I'm a job hopper). There were definitely times where I wanted to throw the towel in and move on when things got difficult and challenging (isn’t quitting so tempting sometimes), but, looking back at how far I've come, I'm glad that I stuck it through because it feels very rewarding. Just in these last two years, so much has changed within the company and there is growth to learn in both the ups and the downs.
How to stay satisfied in a work environment? It's all about having the right type of attitude: be grateful for the opportunity, and try to learn as as you can, always.
If you focus on the negatives, you will surely find the negatives. But when you look at the positives and benefits, you will surely find those as well. For me personally, I needed to keep in mind what benefits my job provides me right NOW: financial stability, decent work-life balance, and the flexibility for me to go to business school. Those three are the top things on my priority list as of today, so everything else is just noise. Once I am reminded of the positive, everything else does not seem so bad. As someone who hates stagnation, sometimes you just need to bite the bullet (and since I'm all about chasing, this coming from me should mean a lot).
In a culture where people are constantly switching jobs and moving around, it's more rare to come across material of how to stay engaged and happy at work. Just this past week, my LinkedIn Pulse was filled with articles about quitting and resigning. So, to defy the norm, here are a few other tips on how to STAY happy and engaged at your job:
1) Avoid negative energy and pessimism from others as much as you can. If you have a coworker who is constantly feeding you negative thoughts, that will really bring you down fast. Surround yourself with people who will make you feel excited to be at work and limit work gossip to the minimum.
2) Write down things you are thankful for. I've done this "100 days of happiness" challenge, where you write down one thing down everyday that makes you happy. Over time, you become a more positive person. You can apply something similar to your work and professional setting.
3) Aim to keep learning. If you feel bored or unchallenged at work, ask for more responsibilities so you can refine your craft and diversify your skill set. Or, if you are unable to find any projects at work, create your own side hustle. This will make you a much more marketable candidate in your next job search too (and might bring in some extra cash too).
4) Train your brain to think of everything as an opportunity. For example, if your team has downsized, think of all the new responsibilities you will learn when you absorb their role (but also make sure to ask for a raise if you are taking on significant more responsibility). Learn to exercise patience and resilience as an employee, as these are valuable skills in a quickly changing work force.
5) Move at your own pace, and don't compare yourself to others. It might be tempting to try and "keep up with the Joneses," but remind yourself that it's all about timing. Don't let the pressure of everyone else leaving entice you to leave; focus on what's best for yourself at this time. Cut anything that is a distraction.