I have a friend making well into six figures per year working for the government as an information technology contractor. While he does not complain about his job, his admission that he doesn’t enjoy his job seems to drive home the idea that, “money isn’t everything.” In fact, the relationship we have with the work we do can be complex, and sometimes even convoluted. Like a romantic relationship, our relationship with our work has its ups and its downs, and can sometimes be the source of extreme stress, anger or even grief. Unlike a romantic relationship, however, our relationship with our work may not be one inspired by love. Like my friend, many workers are constantly on the lookout for their unicorn—The Perfect Job. Unless you have a clear picture of your ideal or you are drawn to one profession over another, pursuing the perfect job can be aptly compared to the frivolous pursuit of a unicorn—impossible. What of those workers, like my friend, who aren’t particularly fond of their job and have yet to find their professional “calling”? Does it matter? According to Curt Rosengren of U.S. News and World Report, it does. So what next?
Wall Street Journal contributor, Dennis Nishi, recently wrote that there are four steps workers might take to, “learn to like [their] job.”
- Realize you’re not the only one. Feeling like the situation you face is unique, and abnormal, can leave you feeling isolated. “Reach out to co-workers in other departments, peers through industry associations, or even call colleagues at other companies to compare notes.”
- Recognize if your expectations are unrealistic. Let’s face it, sometimes we’re too hard on ourselves and set unrealistic expectations. Nishi recommends that workers consider whether their expectations may be contributing to their career angst. He suggests that workers who are “unhappy about falling short of [their] own personal career goals, try breaking [their] goals into smaller, more realistically achievable ones.”
- Alter how you do your job. “If the operational processes of your job are leading to failure,” says Nishi, “alter your approach, if you can.” That is, if how you are supposed to perform your job doesn’t suit you or doesn’t mesh with other personal commitments, trying revising how you approach your work.
- Become more autonomous. Although perhaps not possible in every situation, Nishi suggests that workers “pitch [their] boss on a less formal and more goal-oriented workplace.” This will provide you more latitudinal freedom, and leave you feeling somewhat self-governing.
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