Can You Really Feel Happier at Work?
Is happiness at work achievable, or is it something we only experience at home or on vacation? For many years, I found myself eagerly awaiting the end of the workday and counting down to weekends and vacations. This constant longing can make it feel like your career is the one part of your life you just can’t fix.
However, experts assert that happiness—or well-being—at work is entirely possible. The first step isn’t to focus solely on your career, but to take a holistic view of your life. If you believe that work is an integral part of life, it's essential to consider your overall well-being.
Gallup's research identifies five broad categories essential to most people:
Career Well-being: You like what you do every day.
Social Well-being: You have meaningful friendships in your life.
Financial Well-being: You manage your money well.
Physical Well-being: You have the energy to get things done.
Community Well-being: You like where you live.
When you examine this list, do you see opportunities to balance the scale? For example:
Investing more in your physical well-being could boost your energy throughout the day.
Nurturing friendships rather than always prioritizing work could enhance your social well-being.
Engaging more in your community through volunteering or civic involvement could improve your community well-being.
And maybe, just maybe, you need a new strategy for well-being at work.
Work-related stress doesn't simply disappear. Through my experience in executive coaching, I've learned that disengagement from work can be as detrimental as, or even worse than, unemployment. So, what does it mean to increase engagement in your job? It means doing what you love most.
Here are some steps to enhance your engagement:
Emphasize the Parts of Your Job You Love: Focus on tasks and projects that excite you.
Invest in Meaningful Work Relationships: Cultivate connections with colleagues who inspire and support you.
Leverage Your Strengths and Talents: Seek opportunities to shine and demonstrate your skills.
It's not about fixing what drains you in your job. It's about magnifying the positive aspects. When you take this approach while investing in other areas of well-being, you'll find yourself happier in both life and work. It's a win-win situation.