How You Can Love Your Job Again And Feel Good About Yourself

We all need jobs. Jobs give us purpose, help us contribute to society and pay the bills. But what if you don’t like your job? Let’s face it: not all jobs are fun and exciting. Sometimes, they’re just that – work. You may not have chosen this as your dream career, but sometimes circumstances require us to stay in this job instead of looking for the ideal role.

It’s challenging to keep working in a role you’re not passionate about. However, if you’re not in a position to quit or seek other opportunities, it might help you to fall in love with your job and make the most of your situation. After all, you spend most of your life working, so you should make it worth your while and#SEEKBetterfor yourself.

Read on to find out why loving your job is necessary not just for your financial security but for your overall well-being. Read on for ways to fall in love with your job.

What Does Loving Your Job Mean?

It’s pretty simple – if you love your job and enjoy what you do, you feel good about coming to work. Being productive at work gives you happiness, making it less of a burden and more of a boost for your well-being.

Hungarian psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi has found that enjoying your work gets you into a state of “flow,” of being in the zone, where you’re focused fully in the moment and ideas just flow out of you. “The experience is so enjoyable that people will continue to do it even at great cost, for the sheer sake of doing it.”

Loving your job:

• Makes you happier at work - You look forward to logging on at work or sitting in your office. Work takes up a third of your day, so it will be incredibly helpful for you to feel upbeat about it.
• Improves your mental health, leading to better overall health and well-being - Mental and physical health are intertwined. One without the other can harm your overall well-being. If your mind is at ease, you’re more likely to feel healthier holistically.
• Leads to a better quality of work – Because you’re “in the zone,” you are more focused on your tasks, which enables you to do your best.
• Increases your productivity – You find yourself eager to take on the task at hand, making you finish them faster and more efficiently.
• Boosts your confidence – When you love your job, you discover that you become more comfortable sharing your ideas with others in the workplace. You feel more confident in your abilities because you can hone your skills in doing what you love to do.

How You Can Fall Back in Love With Your Job

Unfortunately, not everyone is lucky enough to have jobs that they love. A recent survey revealed that one in four Singaporeans were dissatisfied with their jobs, and only 42% reported high engagement at work.

The survey, which also included respondents in Indonesia and the Philippines, found that workers across the region pushed themselves hard at work to build a better life for themselves and earn more income, among other reasons. However, pushing yourself too much can lead to burnout and resentment of your job.

And while you can opt to look for another role, it might help to check out every possible option available to you before you decide to start your job hunt. So how do you fall back in love with your job? Here are some tips:

• PROBLEM: You don’t feel like getting up to go to work.

TIP: Find your motivation. Think back to when you were still applying for this role. What drew you to this opportunity in the first place? Perhaps you need to remind yourself what benefits this job gives you to motivate you at work. You can also cultivate a positive attitude by making your workstation more pleasant. Surrounding yourself with things that inspire you, such as a photo of your family or that indoor plant you’ve been caring for since lockdown, can help generate positive energy.

• PROBLEM: You feel aimless.

TIP: Set goals for yourself and make opportunities happen. With something as simple as creating a to-do list, you remind yourself that you have actionable things to do while at work. You can also take account of the various initiatives that your company has. Is there something that interests you? Are there sports programmes? Maybe a mentorship group? Perhaps even some philanthropic activities.

Be proactive and talk to your boss about supporting projects that you’re excited about. If you think there isn’t enough going on at work for you, then you should try to make things happen yourself.

• PROBLEM: You feel stagnant in your role.

TIP: If you feel like you’re not learning anything new in your job, then perhaps it’s time to start taking courses. Upskilling or reskilling can help reignite your enthusiasm for work. It can also strengthen your skill set and ready your career for the possibility of change. Sign up for ZilLearn for free courses.

• PROBLEM: You feel unappreciated at work.

TIP: Talk to your manager and let them know your concerns. Perhaps this is just a matter of clashing work styles? Your boss might be showing their appreciation in some other way. Learn more about love languages of appreciation to understand where you and your manager stand.

It's also better to communicate now to clear the air at work. It also helps to check back on your day before you sign off. Remind yourself that you’ve accomplished a lot and give yourself a pat on the back for a job well done. Reward yourself after a particularly tough day. You deserve it!

• PROBLEM: You’re exhausted.

TIP: Always remember to take a break. When you feel overworked, you must keep yourself in check and stop for a while to recharge and get it together. Allow yourself breaks throughout the day, or book a holiday every once in a while. You can delegate tasks if you have to because otherwise, you might be too tired to do your work correctly.

• PROBLEM: You have no work-life balance.

TIP: With most of us able to work at home, the lines between work and personal life can blur easily. You have to set boundaries for yourself and leave work in the workplace. Once you leave for the day, make time for yourself and your family. Remind yourself that you are more than just your job.

If you have considered everything and still don’t love your job, then it’s probably time to#SEEKBetterand look for greener pastures. Find yourself the right career, and you may find yourself happier and healthier in the long run.

Everyone should be so lucky to have a job that they love. It makes you happier and more productive while also improving your overall well-being. While others might want to look for the right career, some people might find that if they take a different perspective, they might learn to love the job that they already have. If you can rediscover your motivation, employ positive thinking, and make the most of the opportunities around you, then maybe you can fall back in love with your work again.

Find out more tips to ignite or sustain your passion for work. Visit our Career Resources Hub. If you think it's time to move on, discover your dream job via our app available on App Store or Google Play.