You may be spending up to half of your waking hours during the week on the job. Even if you\u2019re not full-time, that\u2019s way too much time to be miserable or even discontent. The good news: You have the power to change it\u2014and it doesn\u2019t have to mean changing jobs.<\/p>\n
When it comes to being happier at work, your thoughts are a powerful tool. \u201cNo one can make you feel a certain way,\u201d says Emily Golden, P.C.C., executive and career coach and author of the upcoming book, The New Golden Rule<\/em>. \u201cThe feelings that you have are coming from the thoughts that you\u2019re thinking.\u201d For example, if your boss gives you negative feedback, and you think that you\u2019re being unfairly targeted or that you\u2019re constantly under a microscope, you\u2019re going to feel resentful, maybe even angry. However, if instead, you think that the feedback can help you to improve, you\u2019ll feel more positive. It may still be uncomfortable to receive negative feedback, but feeling appreciation instead of resentment will change your outlook.<\/p>\n Here are ways to change your perspective so you can determine if a job change is really necessary.<\/p>\n Set yourself up for success.<\/strong> Flipping the switch on how you think about work will be much easier if you\u2019re well rested and properly fueled before you arrive at work. Add in a morning workout\u2014even if it\u2019s just a few yoga stretches or a walk around the block\u2014and you\u2019ll be primed for a more positive day.<\/p>\n Talk to yourself\u2014kindly.<\/strong> To counteract the often overly critical voice inside your head, sweet talk it on your way to work. Repeat a positive mantra or set intention for your day. Starting your day with the right mindset is even more vital to happiness than your morning coffee. Here are a few to try or come up with one that\u2019s meaningful to you.<\/p>\n Pay attention to your thoughts.<\/strong> The next time something happens at work that leaves you feeling bitter, stop and notice the thoughts that you\u2019re having. Ask yourself if there\u2019s a different way of looking at the situation that may make you feel better.<\/p>\n Take stock of your strengths.<\/strong> Too often, people focus on their weaknesses or problems that they need to fix. When you root yourself in your strengths, it\u2019s easier to shake off negative interactions and not take them personally. To keep your strengths front of mind, write a list of them and review it daily. If you\u2019re having trouble coming up with strengths, ask some trusted colleagues, friends and family members what qualities you bring to your job.<\/p>\n Keep a compliments file.<\/strong> Anytime you receive praise from your boss or co-workers or get a glowing performance review, save it! When you feel like fist-bumping someone after you give a presentation or complete a project, make a note about how good you feel and why\u2014and save it. No matter how big or small, archive these positive moments because it\u2019s too easy to forget about them. Then, when you\u2019re having a bad day, read through your file to pump yourself back up.<\/p>\n Recall the good.<\/strong> Each day, on your way home from work, think about three positives that happened. When you get home, share them with your family. This will help you forget about the not-so-great parts of your day and set you up for an even better day tomorrow.<\/p>\n Now, there are bad jobs, or you might be in a job that\u2019s not the right fit for you. In those situations, start looking for a new job. But in the meantime, the work that you do on changing your thoughts is likely to provide you with even greater happiness in your next job. \u201cI want you running to a new job, not running from an old one,\u201d says Golden. Otherwise you may find yourself unhappy there, too.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" You may be spending up to half of your waking hours during the week on the job. Even if you\u2019re not full-time, that\u2019s way too much time to be miserable or even discontent. The good news: You have the power to change it\u2014and it doesn\u2019t have to mean changing jobs. When it comes to being […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[166],"tags":[300,301,302,303,304,305,306,307,308,309],"class_list":["post-15074","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-mindful-living-au","tag-career-happiness","tag-career-satisfaction","tag-happiness","tag-happy-work","tag-job-change","tag-job-happiness","tag-job-satisfaction","tag-joy-at-work","tag-work-satisfaction","tag-work-life-balance"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\r\n\n