The other day I overheard a conversation between friends. One asked, “Remember the last time we came to work and were excited?” The friend replied, “Excited and work cannot be in the same sentence” Her friend sighed in woeful agreement.” Sadly, just as with relationships, jobs tend to lose their spark after a while, and it’s up to you to find ways to rekindle the flame between you and your job.
The passion for one’s profession may fizzle for a number of reasons, but whatever the reason, you are not alone. However, it is important that persons make an effort to be happy in their jobs. Mrs. Merrit Henry, Career Counsellor and Student Services and Development Manager at the University of the West Indies, shared a few ways that can help persons rekindle the passion for their jobs:
Change it up
If your job is somewhat routine, Henry suggests trying to find different and more creative ways to do the same thing. For example, she has been planning the World of Work seminar for the last 10 – 15 years. The message may be the same, she pointed out, but the format changes. From shortening presentations to offering certificates of participation to raffling a Kindle, Ms. Henry stresses the importance of creativity in order to avoid falling into the humdrum of routine.
Expand your knowledge base
You might have been assigned to filing, for example, but that doesn’t mean you should go to work every day and just file. She encourages persons to take the time to learn about other aspects of the organization, and try to understudy persons with more experience. The added skills you learn will help you in the future, and your employers will notice the extra effort.
Your job is important
No matter what your responsibilities are, you should think of your job as important. Keep in mind that what you do contributes greatly to the overall success and development of the organization. And if you feel that what you’re doing is important, this will help to improve your mood and attitude towards work. Henry highlighted that your mindset towards work greatly affects the way you feel about it and do it. Surround yourself with positive people and positive messages. If you go to work every day with an “I hate this” attitude, you will hate it. Remember, ‘your attitude determines your altitude’; you may very well need to “fake it ’til you make it”.
Take a break
Vacation from work helps you to rest, recharge and reinvigorate yourself. It is something to look forward to as it helps you to keep motivated at work. The change of environment will provide a fresh appreciation for your daily tasks. After all, all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.
Build yourself outside of work
Henry emphasized the importance of getting involved in other activities outside of work, whether academically or otherwise. Going back to school helps you to learn new skills that may improve the quality of your work. This may also enable persons to gain the skills and competencies needed to move on to more promising fields. In addition to academics, volunteerism also helps to build you. There are many church groups and service clubs dedicated to helping the less fortunate. Many organizations are also involved in community work. Try gathering a group of co-workers, look at what is needed or lacking in the surrounding community and do what you can to help. This goes a far way in making you well-rounded, so you’ll have a new outlook to impact your job. Believe it or not, new experiences outside of work will add variety.
Get to know your co-workers
Break out of your shell and get out of your cubicle. Making plans with your colleagues outside of work, such as after work jams, aids in building closer relationships which will help to motivate you at work. Learning about your colleagues and interacting with them outside of the office will help you to gain greater support in maintaining the passion for mundane tasks.
Don’t compare yourself to others
Other people’s journey and destination are different from yours. You won’t go at the same pace as theirs you won’t end up at the same place. Never mind that the person you graduated with has been promoted to Senior Accountant and you’re
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The other day I overheard a conversation between friends. One asked, “Remember the last time we came to work and were excited?” The friend replied, “Excited and work cannot be in the same sentence” Her friend sighed in woeful agreement.” Sadly, just as with relationships, jobs tend to lose their spark after a while, and it’s up to you to find ways to rekindle the flame between you and your job.
The passion for one’s profession may fizzle for a number of reasons, but whatever the reason, you are not alone. However, it is important that persons make an effort to be happy in their jobs. Mrs. Merrit Henry, Career Counsellor and Student Services and Development Manager at the University of the West Indies, shared a few ways that can help persons rekindle the passion for their jobs:
Change it up
If your job is somewhat routine, Henry suggests trying to find different and more creative ways to do the same thing. For example, she has been planning the World of Work seminar for the last 10 – 15 years. The message may be the same, she pointed out, but the format changes. From shortening presentations to offering certificates of participation to raffling a Kindle, Ms. Henry stresses the importance of creativity in order to avoid falling into the humdrum of routine.
Expand your knowledge base
You might have been assigned to filing, for example, but that doesn’t mean you should go to work every day and just file. She encourages persons to take the time to learn about other aspects of the organization, and try to understudy persons with more experience. The added skills you learn will help you in the future, and your employers will notice the extra effort.
Your job is important
No matter what your responsibilities are, you should think of your job as important. Keep in mind that what you do contributes greatly to the overall success and development of the organization. And if you feel that what you’re doing is important, this will help to improve your mood and attitude towards work. Henry highlighted that your mindset towards work greatly affects the way you feel about it and do it. Surround yourself with positive people and positive messages. If you go to work every day with an “I hate this” attitude, you will hate it. Remember, ‘your attitude determines your altitude’; you may very well need to “fake it ’til you make it”.
Take a break
Vacation from work helps you to rest, recharge and reinvigorate yourself. It is something to look forward to as it helps you to keep motivated at work. The change of environment will provide a fresh appreciation for your daily tasks. After all, all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.
Build yourself outside of work
Henry emphasized the importance of getting involved in other activities outside of work, whether academically or otherwise. Going back to school helps you to learn new skills that may improve the quality of your work. This may also enable persons to gain the skills and competencies needed to move on to more promising fields. In addition to academics, volunteerism also helps to build you. There are many church groups and service clubs dedicated to helping the less fortunate. Many organizations are also involved in community work. Try gathering a group of co-workers, look at what is needed or lacking in the surrounding community and do what you can to help. This goes a far way in making you well-rounded, so you’ll have a new outlook to impact your job. Believe it or not, new experiences outside of work will add variety.
Get to know your co-workers
Break out of your shell and get out of your cubicle. Making plans with your colleagues outside of work, such as after work jams, aids in building closer relationships which will help to motivate you at work. Learning about your colleagues and interacting with them outside of the office will help you to gain greater support in maintaining the passion for mundane tasks.
Don’t compare yourself to others
Other people’s journey and destination are different from yours. You won’t go at the same pace as theirs you won’t end up at the same place. Never mind that the person you graduated with has been promoted to Senior Accountant and you’re
Share this post: