So many Millennials leave their jobs within six months because they forget work isn’t about making money so we can buy things to make our lives easier and happier.
Our work should be about creating meaning and value in other people’s lives.
By creating value in other people’s lives, you will find your purpose, and in turn, you will find lasting happiness at work.
The only way to find happiness at work is to find a way to create meaning and purpose in your own life.
Stop searching for happiness, and begin to search for meaning and purpose.
I have found ways to create a purpose for why I go to work each day, and in turn, this has caused me to become happier with not only my work, but also my personal life.
Here are four basic steps to transform your views towards work:
1. Encourage one person each day.
Work should be about creating value in other people’s lives.
This doesn’t necessarily have to be a customer, but it could be a coworker.
You should remember that if you are feeling unsatisfied and depressed about your work, there is a good chance one of your coworkers is feeling the same way.
This could be a great chance to speak to some of them and share encouragement.
2. Write down what you’re grateful for every day.
We so quickly forget how good things actually are, and how much worse things could be.
There is always something we can be grateful for, and by forcing ourselves to see those things each day, we will eventually do it automatically.
3. Invest in yourself.
Take an hour each day to invest in yourself.
We get so caught up in our work that we forget we need time to rehabilitate ourselves.
If you have a long ride to work, this would be a perfect time to listen to an audiobook.
Spend at least 15 minutes each day just meditating, relaxing and reflecting.
You should exercise daily.
When you’re not healthy, it’s pretty hard to be happy. I know from experience.
Heath equals happiness.
Give yourself positive affirmations.
Force your brain to stop complaining about what you don’t have, and focus on what you do.
4. Get some perspective.
Force yourself to watch or listen to things that will cause you to respond.
This could be as simple as reading a good quote, listening to an interview with someone you respect, reading a chapter of a book or watching a documentary on a subject you feel passionate about.
Don’t get me wrong; I’m not saying you should stay in a crappy job.
Some of you may need to change your jobs, and you probably will because our lives are constantly changing and growing.
However, I encourage you to try these four simple steps first.
If you already have a crappy job, you don’t have much to lose.
Simply do work that matters and makes a difference in people’s lives.
That’s when you will find happiness.
