“Good Jobs Are Made, Not Found”
Are you one of the fortunate few who love their job? It’s a complex question, but in the simplest form, do you enjoy going to work? Paula Davis-Laack recently wrote an article for Forbes on a TEDx talk where Dr. Shane Lopez, a global expert in the science of hope, explains his findings after surveying 8,500 working Americans. While only 13% claimed to love their jobs, Dr. Lopez attributes these five things that those who love their jobs do.
They test drive their future.
It’s important to think about your long term goals in life so you can make adjustments in your current role. What do you actually dream of your work looking like? Take some time to reflect on what your dream job is and then decide if your current position is a stepping stone in the direction of that dream, if it’s not then change positions.
The trust their gut.
Dr. Lopez references his “spend vs. send strategy” in the TEDx talk, which suggests that people who love their job often spend more time with caring coworkers, whom they trust, and send emails and texts who they do not. Those who are happy in their careers often trust their instincts on people and situations. It’s important to trust your gut when dealing with a person’s character in the workplace, who are the people that are going to support you in the pursuit of your dreams and who are going to hold you back? Latch on to the people who instill hope and greatness within you.
They play with your strengths.
Those who are happy in the workplace are often incorporating their personal strengths into the work they’re doing. When you are able to use your strength in your career it gives you a sense of capability, causing a greater concentration. As stated in David-Laack’s article, Tom Rath’s and Barry Conchie’s book, Strengths Based Leadership, suggests that when leaders focus on investing in their employees’ strengths, the employee is more likely to be engaged in their work.
Craft Your Job
Rearrange your schedule. Schedule the work you’re more inspired by in the beginning of the day or schedule out your mundane tasks in the beginning of your day, whatever makes you feel more enthused and rewarded, do that. Dr. Lopez speaks about washing a rental car in his “renters approach” method. He states, that when you rent a car you don’t wash it because you don’t own it, it’s not yours, and thus you don’t feel obligated. By having a “renters approach” on your job, you’ll never amount to anything in your career. Take care of our job and your tasks at hand, developing a sense of ownership on the projects you’re doing for work will amount in greater success. “Take the job that’s pretty good and turn it into something amazing, perfect the good job you have.”
Shop For the Right Boss.
“Only 1 in 10 bosses, are great bosses” The amount of great bosses out there are few and far in between, so Lopez suggests shooting for good bosses who get the most out of you, but also care about our well being.
All in all, make the most out of your situations, utilize your strengths, and take ownership of your work because good jobs are made, not found.