| FEATURE
ARTICLE
10 Ways to Fall in Love with Your Job Again
1. Do More of What
You Enjoy Most.
What's the most satisfying
or personally rewarding part of your job? Look for opportunities to do
more of this type of work. Let others know your interests and you may
find ways to collaborate, delegate or find win-win situations.
2. Get Organized.
How would you like
to have an extra week next year to devote on tip #1? It's easy. All you
have to do is organize your work to save 10-15 minutes a day. By getting
organized, you can often eliminate or reduce the time you spend on less
productive (and less satisfying) tasks.
3. Set Personal
Goals.
Setting weekly, monthly
and annually goals keeps you focused on what's most important. Goals also
give you a sense of accomplishment when you achieve them. Remember that
if you don't know where you're going, any road will take you there.
4. Learn to Say
"No."
Look at your calendar.
How many of those meetings and conference calls are really (I mean really)
necessary? How many committees or taskforces are you on where you are
making a meaningful contribution? An unproductive 30-minute meeting you
say "no" to frees up 30 minutes you can spend on - you guessed
it - tip #1!
5. Find Meaning
and Significance in What You Do.
Think about how your
job relates to the "big picture" of your company. Crunching
numbers for a weekly report may seem routine or inconsequential, yet it
might mean the difference between a successful sale or a satisfied customer.
Remember the story of the two bricklayers. When asked what he was building,
the first replied, "a brick wall." When asked the same question,
the second bricklayer said, "I'm building a cathedral."
6. Don't Sweat
the Stuff You Can't Control.
Write down the things
that stress you out at work. Circle the ones you have control over and
cross out those over which you have no control. Vow to stop spending energy
of the items you crossed out. Instead, redirect your energy on finding
solutions to the problems you can impact.
7. Be Enthusiastic
(and Spend Time with Others Who Are).
Dale Carnegie once
observed, "If you act enthusiastic, you'll be enthusiastic."
Enthusiasm energizes and invigorates a workplace. You'll build confidence
in yourself and earn the confidence of others. If you have a reputation
for enthusiasm, you're more likely to be asked to participate in challenging
projects and assignments.
8. Learn from the
Best Around You.
Who in your office
seems to really enjoy - and excel - at their work? What can you learn
from them? People who like coming to work radiate positiveness and their
spirit can be infectious. Let their energy rub off on you.
9. Seek Out and
Celebrate the Small Victories.
Why wait weeks or
months to celebrate major achievements (like meeting quarterly goals)
when there are numerous opportunities to show pride and gratitude in your
- and your colleagues' - accomplishments. Celebrations make people feel
more connected and valued.
10. Keep a List
of Your Accomplishments.
Celebrate your own
accomplishments, too. Keep a list of
them - large and small - next to your phone or computer. When times are
tough, they'll remind you that, in spite of everything, you are competent
and you will succeed. This list will also prove handy (and perhaps profitable)
during your next performance appraisal.
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