Not Enjoying Your Work Anymore? Tip #1

When people do not have their hearts at work, their heads and hands are probably not there either. We spend too much time at work not to enjoy ourselves while we are there. Yet, it’s easy to start forcing yourself through the work instead of allowing it to flow, especially when the task at hand is something unappealing.

Organizations that support a joyful approach to work tend to have fewer problems like absenteeism, lateness, using work time for personal tasks, lack of productivity and even employee theft.  According to research done by Dr. David Abramis at the University of Southern California of 342 employees from a variety of organizations, those who found joy in their work also tended to be more resourceful when faced with problems and were better decision-makers.

But how do you inspire others, or even yourself, to actually enjoy a loathsome work task?

This week I will be offering some ideas that have been working in organizations all around the world in revitalizing people’s work experience.

Idea 1.      Start a gratitude journal at work

Many people now make it a daily practice to focus on what they appreciate about their life and their work. This amazingly simple and short task can do wonders to shift your attitude. One overwhelmed tax accountant took 3 minutes each morning, during the month of April, to make a list about what he appreciated about his work.

His list included basic things like “I have a job that earns me money” to “I enjoy the puzzle of helping people save money” and even “I help the government receive the tax dollars they need to support the roads and schools”.

Tags: Dr. David Abramis, gratitude journal, work environment