Your job might be alright – it might even be pretty good. But do you love it? Is it even important that you love it? The working generation of today (aka the 'Millennials') often highlight how important it is to truly love your job in order to not only be happy, but to be successful as well.

Steve Jobs talked about the importance of loving work once. He said:

"Sometimes life hits you in the head with a brick. Don’t lose faith. I’m convinced that the only thing that kept me going was that I loved what I did. You’ve got to find what you love. And that is as true for your work as it is for your lovers. Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it."
Coming from the guy who started Apple and Pixar, that means something. Whether you like it or not, work takes up a large part of your life, so you can't just neglect it. I mean, who wants to spend the majority of the day feeling unhappy and unfulfilled at work? You don't have to hear from Steve Jobs to know how your feelings towards your job can affect not only the quality of your work, but your overall happiness as well.

If at this moment, loving your job feels like a struggle, don't worry – you aren't alone. For the most part, there are small things you can do to help you warm up to your job, and maybe even learn to love it in the long run. Here's three simple things you can do to love your job.

What is your "why"?

As with every aspect of your life, you need to know your "why". When the going gets rough and you find it hard to love your job, remember why you took it in the first place. Was it meant to be a stepping stone or learning opportunity for something greater? Did it give you the creative freedom you were after? Did you choose a startup over a corporate job because it felt right at the time?

Without knowing your purpose, you won't have the strength to push through tough days and you won't be able to find happiness in what you do. So, you have to know your why. Start with a pen and a piece of paper. Write down everything you like or enjoy about your job. Write down the reason why you took it and what your goals are moving forward. Reflect on it on those days you feel the struggle bubbling up again.

Change your mindset

This one is probably the most obvious, but the most difficult point – changing your mindset. The more you think negatively about your job, the more that negativity will pile on. In the same way, the more you try to focus on the positives, you'll find yourself smiling more often.

Heard of the gratitude list? Try writing one thing you're grateful for about work at the start of each day. It can even be something as small as how you're grateful for a comfortable office chair, or a constant supply of tissue paper that always seems to refill itself - all the way to the big perks and benefits you get from your company.

Think about this - what if you are sick or have some sort of disease. Would you let your disease define you or would you find a way to overcome the pain and move forward? It's all about the mindset.

Beyond just thinking positively, adjust your mind to solve your problems instead of feeling sorry for yourself. Replace thoughts like "I'm so stressed out" with "What is causing my stress," then do something to get rid of it.

It is definitely harder than it sounds. But if you focus on all the little things you at least like about your job, it will give you the strength to push through the hard stuff.

Create a space that's yours and keep it clean

You probably have your own desk, or cubicle, or at least your own space in the office. Make it yours and keep it clean and organized. Having something visually appealing first thing when you walk to your desk can lift your mood in an instant. Do you like plants? Add a small one if you can. Photography? Post your favorites on your wall. Whatever makes you happy.

In terms of organization, minimalism has gained a lot of popularity lately and for a good reason. The less stuff you have, the less you have to think about. This is especially true in the office. You're probably already thinking about a million different things – you don't want to have to think about figuring out where your pen is just so you can sign some documents or where you put that report you needed to give your boss, like, yesterday...

The great thing about love is that it's a persistent thing. When things get tough, it will be the love for what you do that will push you through. Ultimately, it's up to you. They say you can't control what happens to you but you can control how you react to it. Even if right now, you hate your job, your boss is a pain, you're underpaid, or you no longer know what you love and want to do, that can be fine - FOR NOW. But in the nature of passion and happiness, figure out what you love to do. You owe it to yourself.

Remember: Loving what you do = doing great work = happiness and satisfaction

FEBRUARY 15, 2018

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