We hear a lot of talk about happiness these days, and how to achieve it. As experts from resume builder companies, we hear many stories of workplace dissatisfaction, and have compiled a list of tips that might help transform you into a happier employee and guide you to a better employment situation.
1. Write A List Of Positives
There must be something good about your current job. Perhaps your co-workers are nice or you have a short commute or perhaps you have high-quality benefits. While a list of positives won’t necessarily keep you in your current job forever, focusing on the positives can help you become a better and more productive employee even if you start searching for something new.
Anytime you feel discouraged, consider going over this list of positives and taking a moment to feel a bit of gratitude for what you have. It doesn’t mean you can’t attain more, but sometimes it helps to focus on the positives.
2. Write A List Of Negatives
Write down everything that bothers you about your current job. It could be everything from a boss that yells an employee to a break room that is constantly dirty. After you’ve finished this list, decide whether or not any of these issues can be fixed. Sometimes you can help make positive changes in your workplace, and sometimes the problems are out of your control, and it’s important to categorize which is which. Additionally, writing down a concrete list of problems will help you in your job search. You know what you don’t want, so you can try to avoid office situations that are similar to the one you just left.
3. Consider Your Own Shortcomings
Before you take the leap and start looking for a new job, consider what issues about yourself need to be addressed. Are you often late for work or turn in assignments late? Do you have trouble asserting yourself during meetings? Do you have trouble delegating? We all have faults, but the great thing about our own faults is that these are actually issues we can fix. We can’t turn a terrible boss into a great boss, but you can get to work on time, you can become more organized, you can learn how to speak up and make contributions. You will be a happier person is you assess your shortcomings and make positive steps for change.
4. Consider Your Strengths
As experts from resume builder companies know, most hiring managers will ask you to list your strengths, and this can be tough for some people. However, we all have good characteristics, and it’s important to remember our own value. Writing down your strengths isn’t arrogant; it’s simply a way of reminding yourself that you have skills that will be valuable to a future employer.
5. Go Out To Lunch
Don’t eat lunch at your desk. Even if you just have 30 minutes, get outside and walk around for a few minutes and eat lunch in a local park or some other scenic area, if possible. Getting in a few minutes of exercise and getting away from your desk and the bustle of the office allows you to clear your mind and focus on something else. You can opt to go with or without co-workers, but either way, step out of the office for a bit each day.
6. Avoid The Negative Nellies
There’s always that one person in every office that complains constantly. They complain about their boss or their pay or their co-workers or all three. These people are toxic, and need to be avoided at all costs. Negative and gossipy behavior is a poison that undermines office productivity and employee happiness. If you see that Mr. Negativity is coming over to chat, simply state that you have work you need to finish and stay focused. Don’t accept lunch and after-work invitations with these types of people, either.
If you are the negative person in your office, keep in mind that every time you open your mouth, you are making your workplace a worse place to be. You certainly don’t have to be happy about everything that goes on in your workplace, but complaining is not proactive. Either find a way to address the problem and fix it, or start actively looking for a new job. Resume builder companies are here to get you started with resume writing, cover letter writing, career coaching and many other helpful services.
7. Clear Your Desk
Does your desk look the aftermath of a natural disaster? If so, take some time to clean and organize everything in your work space. Put papers in file folders and discard anything that you no longer need. Add a small plant to your desk and photos of your family. An attractive and clean workspace can make you more productive and lessen your stress. Getting more organized can be an easy way to make your work life a bit happier, and it doesn’t take that long to get everything in order.
8. Don’t Take The Stress Home
Too often, we take the stress of the day home with us and take it out on the people we love. Come up with a plan to help redirect your thoughts before you come home. Perhaps you can hit the gym and work off some steam or listen to your favorite music on the way home. Download an interesting podcast or don’t listen to anything at all except the sounds of silence. As soon as you get home, change out of your work clothes into something comfortable, as this also will help you switch from work mode to home mode. Make a deal with your spouse or roommates that you won’t discuss work for a least an hour after you arrive home, and don’t answer work emails or calls unless it’s absolutely necessary.
9. Don’t Be Afraid To Make A Change
If you’ve spent several years in a less-than-ideal work environment, start looking for new opportunities. Many resume builder companies, including our team here at Resume Writing Group, offer career coaching and job-hunting services, and this can be a great way to move forward in your career. Research some companies that look interesting, and look at job postings on LinkedIn and other related websites. Sometimes, a new job is just the challenge you need to pull yourself out of a rut and get focused on your own personal happiness.
