Job satisfaction leads to better results and a reduction in absenteeism. How you enjoy your work is different for everyone. It is closely related to your character, upbringing, culture, workplace, sense of humor etc. Do you know how you can enjoy work more?

More job satisfaction

It is good to find out what job satisfaction means to you. When are you experiencing the ultimate pleasure in your work? Which elements are currently missing at your workplace? In the book ‘The Joy of Work: 30 Ways to Fix Your Work Culture and Fall in Love with Your Job Again’ (2019), published by Random House Business, Bruce Daisley offers insights, inspiration and tips to help us get more satisfaction from our work and our lives. We will talk about five of his suggestions that will ensure more job satisfaction.

1. Talk about the rules at work

We constantly get tasks assigned not only from our department head or director, but also from colleagues and customers. Even if we don’t have time to actually do these tasks, we don’t respond with frustration or irritation. No, we are compliant. Psychologist Martin Seligman calls this phenomenon “learned helplessness”. We are so used to doing things that come our way that we finally accept it. However, it is wrong to assume that the work rules in your organization are strict. Discuss with your team who is available to do certain tasks and when they are available.

2. Slow down

Being constantly busy is not the same as getting things done. Assess emergency cases. Ask yourself how urgent something really is, relax and reserve time to do nothing. In the meantime let your thoughts run free. A moment of peace and quiet lowers your stress level and increases your creativity. Do not consider empty spots in your agenda (or the agenda’s of others) as a waste of time. We often get our best ideas when we slow down. Do not constantly seek distraction in music or the internet. See which thoughts fill the empty space. Allow yourself time to do nothing. Find out how you feel afterwards.

3. Focus on one thing at a time

You get your most creative ideas by completing the task that lies ahead. Focusing is important here. Turn off your mail notifications and find a quiet place. Working step by step with one thing at a time gives you more job satisfaction and also makes you more successful.

4. Offline in your free time

Limit your emails. Do not send work emails during the weekend. If you want to write a mail that is not urgent, save it as a draft and send it at a suitable time. Celebrate your days off the way you want. Don’t forget to invest in your life offline.

5. A good night’s sleep

There is nothing better than a good night’s sleep. Two thirds of the adults worldwide do not get enough sleep. This has many consequences for our health. Set a fixed time to go to bed and stick to it. Drinking alcohol before going to bed can reduce your sleep quality.

Are you enjoying your work? What are points for improvement?