Why do you do what you do professionally?
Is it because you love it and can’t imagine doing anything else … because it fulfills you in every way?
Is it because it pays well or offers tremendous opportunities?
Is it because you feel as if you don’t have other really viable options?
Look, if you do what you do because it’s fulfilling and you love it, count yourself among the luckiest people on earth.
It’s regrettable, but the vast majority don’t find themselves in that camp.
Most are either doing what they do just to pay the bills or because they see themselves as just flat stuck.
Now, let’s be clear. Who among us hasn’t found themselves unhappy with various aspects of their work life situation from time to time or even on an ongoing basis?
Precious few, so let’s not pretend the absolute ideal position even exists out there for more than a very lucky few.
And even those who love what they do have aspects of their work they’d rather not have to deal with … like accounting, managing employees, or trying to master baffling technology.
Every situation has its drawbacks, its annoyances, its limitations.
So, what’s the point? Why do I bring this up?
Because while the situation you find yourself in professionally may not be perfect, the key question is this.
Can you find more to like about it and, indeed, love about it than you find to dislike … or even loath … about it?
Here’s a bit of unsolicited advice.
If you find yourself in a situation where you simply hate what you’re doing across the board, get out. Find something else to do with your time and energy.
No matter how much money or “security” it appears to provide, sticking with work you hate isn’t worth it. It’ll make you miserable and ruin your health … and who knows what else. Your relationships? Your sense of self-worth?
But what if you’re simply not as happy or satisfied with your position as you’d hoped you’d be or want to be, but you can’t see your way clear to making a major change.
What can you do?
Find ways to make it better via introducing positive change. That’s obvious.
But what if the opportunities to do that are limited?
Find more to like about your work role and responsibilities, even if those don’t change. Find a way to enjoy what you do more and give yourself more credit for the valuable service you’re providing to people.
Think about what your work means to other people as much or more than you think of what it’s providing … or not providing … for you.
Find more to appreciate about the situation you’re in.
Find more to love about it.
And whatever you do, NEVER complain about it.
Complaining doesn’t make anything better. It only amplifies the sense of dissatisfaction, and what’s the virtue in that?
That advice is all mindset stuff … involving perspective … and it can make a big difference.
The good news is it’s all in your court. You don’t need things to change or people to change to feel better about your lot at work.
The bottom line?
Either learn to love and appreciate more things about it or find another path you think will lead to a better place … and move on.
We all want the ideal. I get it, but when you don’t have the ideal and don’t see yourself obtaining it any time soon, do what you can to make your current situation more ideal, either literally or simply in the way you perceive it.
And, above all, be happy with what you have!