Regain your passion for your job with a few simple steps!
Having a full-time job is pretty much like being in a relationship.
We’re taught that it’s important to have one. Most of us are on the lookout for one. We put our best foot forward to get what we want and hope we don’t get rejected. And in the off-chance that we’re successful, we can’t look beyond how happy it makes us.
But alas, the honeymoon period comes to an end. The flaws start to present themselves. The quirky qualities you once enjoyed turn into minor irritants. There are fewer fantastic days and more good days peppered with this can be changed feelings. In some cases, the good days dramatically turn into bad days with no solution in sight.
And when that happens, all you can think of is quitting.
Those who are well into their career journeys know this feeling. You don’t feel as excited as you did when you first joined the company; you feel that you want to change some things about your role or the company itself; you feel like you’re stagnating and there’s nothing left for you to learn.
With myriad opportunities presenting themselves these days, the grass is greener feeling can be more pronounced in a situation like this.
But quitting need not be your only option! Before you pull out the big guns, here are some things you can try to bring that spark back into your job.
8 Ways To Bring Back The Spark In Your Job
1. Remember Why You Started
The further ahead you move in your job, the harder it is to remember why you chose the job in the first place.
Take a step back to reflect on your current position and think about what’s making you unhappy.
Has something changed since you joined? Were you promised different responsibilities? Do you dislike your new boss? Identify the specific reasons you’re feeling unhappy. That’s the first step to finding your solution.
2. Align Your Role With A New Goal
A job can feel monotonous when you’ve lost sight of how it will propel you further in your career.
A tip: Map out your tentative career path for the next 3 years and place yourself within it.
Is your current job helping you fulfil your goal? How far have you come? What tools do you need to fulfil the goal you’ve set? Once you’ve figured this out, you may end up looking at your job in a different light.
3. Share Your Expertise
If you feel that you’ve learned enough in your current role, share the knowledge! This will not only help those less experienced than you but will also strengthen your skills and give you new-found joy. You can become an emerging voice on social media platforms such as LinkedIn and online communities by creating content around your area of expertise.
The Kool Kanya Community is one such place – sign up, log in, and share your experience with hundreds of thousands of young women ready to embark upon their career!
4. Talk To Your Boss About New Responsibilities
If you’re feeling stuck in your current role, speak to your boss and ask them to switch up your responsibilities.
Maybe you could take on a new project or assist your boss in something they’re working on. Be honest with your boss about your situation and ask them for a solution. Mention the specific areas you’d like to explore – ensure that they are still in tandem with your short-term goals!
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5. Learn Something New
Upskilling is the new norm! To take up new responsibilities at work, you can try learning something that is adjacent to your skills that will help you in your career ahead.
For example, if you’re a content writer, you can learn basic SEO and SEM. Alternatively, you can learn copywriting or scriptwriting, as these are important skills for a content creator to have.
You can ask your boss if there’s anything new you can learn to pick up more responsibilities at work. Then, you can look for courses or ask if you can shadow a senior from the department of your choice.
6. Know That Your Job Does Not Define You
In a world where the lines between personal and professional are getting increasingly blurred, it’s hard not to equate your worth with your job. It might take some practice, but think of your job as one aspect of your life and not all of it.
Your designation shouldn’t be the only thing that makes you happy. You are a sum of your relationships, knowledge, values, and more.
It’s okay if your job doesn’t bring you immense joy at every given moment. Try finding joy in other things as well.
7. Focus On The Positive Aspects Of Your Job
Does your job give you ample work-life balance? Do you have a steady income? Does it give you flexible work hours? Do you have an understanding boss and a great team?
In uncertain times like these, it’s really important to count your blessings.
Of course, this doesn’t mean you ignore your mental and physical health; taking a moment to think of the positives can put some things into perspective for you every now and then.
8. Think About How Quitting Will Alter Your Life
If you’ve exhausted all your options, think about how quitting will alter your life goals. Sure, it can be tempting to go for the next big thing from the fear of missing out, but think about whether you want to quit because you’re bored, or if you’ve really gotten whatever you can out of the job.
Make a detailed pro-con list. Make sure you have a clear idea about your next steps.
Ensure that you’re aware of how much you’re going to get paid in your next job, what your role will be, and how it’ll help you further in your career. Think about it more from your head than your heart. Of course, it goes without saying that you should take the leap if your job is leaving your health in shambles.
Jobs and relationships take hard work to maintain. If you feel that you’re not as happy as you used to be, try these tips to rekindle the joy of working at your current job. You never know what might come out of it!
You’re invited! Join the Kool Kanya women-only career Community where you can network, ask questions, share your opinions, collaborate on projects, and discover new opportunities. Join now.
