Find Joy in Contribution, Connection and Challenge
Are you looking for more joy in your work? Has work gotten monotonous? Does today feel too much like yesterday?
Important work is hard. And sometimes repetitive tasks are a vital part of the gig. But if your job feels monotonous and boring, find ways to mix it up and find more joy.
3 Ways to Break the Disrupt the Monotony and Find More Joy at Work
Here are a few places to start to find more joy at work. Or, what I’ve learned to call “skipping to work.”
1. Find meaningful ways to make a deeper contribution.
Much of the research on joy at work points to the satisfaction that comes from making a meaningful contribution.
An easy place to start is to pay attention to why the work you are already doing matters– and who it helps.
From there, consider if there are other areas you can go a level deeper. Maybe you can teach a co-worker, share an idea, or find a new way to delight customers who walk through the door.
You might find joy in knowing you’re making a bigger impact for the humans you are working with, to your customers, or to improving your organization.
2. Invest in deeper building human connections
Think beyond an intention, and make a plan. You can pick a few relationships and deliberately invest in getting to know them at a human level. Show up interested (in them) and interesting (be easy to get to know).
You can even combine #1 contributing with building connection– and get up to something significant with a co-worker. Some of my best work memories from my time at Verizon (and lasting relationships) came from collaborating on projects we both cared about.
3. Do something that scares you (or at least challenges you).
When you’re stretched and growing, the endorphins kick in. If your work is feeling monotonous or lacking joy, talk to your manager about ways you can step out of your comfort zone and try something new.
It could be preparing for a new role, or taking on a special project, or going deeper in the work you currently do.
4. _________________ Your turn. What advice do you have for someone looking for more joy at work?
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