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Work occupies such a significant portion of your life, and finding joy in your professional life can greatly enhance your overall well-being and happiness. Yet in a world that often prioritises productivity and financial success over personal fulfillment, it can be challenging to discover and maintain happiness at work.
Joy isn’t something that we often think about when it comes to work. Even in our personal lives, it can often be forgotten or slip to the bottom of our priority list. Over the years, I have asked countless women to pinpoint the joy in their lives, and for many of them it’s a very difficult question. It can bring up a lot of emotions, as women will frequently say that they can’t remember the last time they experienced a moment of joy.
In my Women Rising program, we ask women to reflect on the vision they have for their life and their career. One of the questions that we pose in that module is:
If you followed the joy in your career and life, where would it lead you?
We are told over and over again by the women who participate in our program, that this is one of the most difficult questions for them to answer and it’s not something they’ve ever thought about before.
It’s time for that to change. Let’s look at how you can bring joy to the forefront so that it’s not an afterthought in the creation of a career and life you love.
6 Ways to Find More Joy at Work
1. Discover Your Passion
Passion is the fuel that can ignite your joy at work. Take the time to explore your interests and identify what truly excites you. Your job doesn't have to be your lifelong passion, but aligning your work with your interests can make a significant difference in your happiness. If you’re not in a role right now that aligns with your passion, is there a way you can craft your job so you can incorporate more of what interests you and get involved in more interesting projects? Or could you pursue your passion in small ways alongside your current job? Consider what activities or tasks bring you the most satisfaction and see how you can incorporate them into your work.
2. Tap Into Your Strengths
Your strengths represent your patterns of thinking, feeling and behaving that when used, excite, engage and energise you and help you to perform at your best. When you tap into your strengths, you’re able to go into a flow state, because not only are you doing something that you’re naturally good at, it’s also an activity that you enjoy. It makes sense then, that if you’re looking to access more joy at work, a great way to do that is to leverage your strengths. There’s a growing body of research that shows that developing your strengths not only helps you to feel happier, it also improves your well-being, reduces your stress, and helps you to feel more energised and satisfied with your life.
3. Cultivate a Positive Mindset
Your attitude toward your work can profoundly influence your level of joy. Instead of dwelling on the negatives or routine aspects of your job, focus on the positive aspects and the sense of purpose it provides. Gratitude is the most powerful tool to counteract your brain’s in-built negativity bias and shift to a more positive mindset. Cultivate gratitude by regularly reflecting on the things you appreciate about your job, such as supportive colleagues, opportunities for growth, or the sense of accomplishment when you complete a task.
4. Set Meaningful Goals
Having clear, meaningful goals can give your work a sense of purpose and direction. Whether your goals are related to career advancement, skill development, or personal growth, they can help you stay motivated and engaged. Break your goals down into smaller, achievable milestones, and celebrate your progress along the way. This sense of achievement can bring immense joy.
5. Prioritise Rest
Balancing your work life with personal time and rest is crucial for maintaining joy at work. Overworking can lead to burnout and negatively impact your overall well-being. Set boundaries for when you'll be available for work-related tasks and when you'll disconnect to enjoy your personal life. Make time for hobbies, family, and self-care to recharge and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
6. Build Positive Relationships
The people you work with can significantly influence your level of job satisfaction and happiness. In fact, research by Martin Seligman shows that positive relationships with others are the best antidote to life’s challenges and the most reliable source of joy. Foster positive relationships with your colleagues, managers, and clients. Collaboration, support, and a sense of camaraderie can make your work environment more enjoyable and fulfilling. Share your successes, listen to others, and create a positive atmosphere within your workplace.
Hopefully this post has given you some ideas of simple ways you can look for more joy at work. Prioritising joy is so important for your well-being and it’s a beautiful act of self-care.
