Enjoy what you do… and the money will come

December 22, 2011 by Chris Harper

Over the last eight years I have worked with many people around the challenge of doing and finding work that is enjoyable and rewarding.

In fact the reason why most people see CareerBuilders for career coaching is because they don’t enjoy what they do. People are often really in touch with what is not working and what they don’t like in their jobs.  Some of this relates to task, some of this relates to learning and development and some relates to poor working relationships with co-workers or the boss. Sometimes it relates to a lack of connection or alignment to what it is the company does. At more senior executive levels a key issue is that of a “values” conflict and/or a lack of appreciation for where they wish to continue to grow and develop. Senior executives are often so focused on everyone else that they forget to do preventative maintenance on themselves.

To solve these types dilemma people often change jobs hoping that the things will be better in the next job. At CareerBuilders we normally encourage any client we work with to explore all opportunities that currently exist within the job they are doing. On many occasions clients discover that they actually can mold their job into something that is more in alignment with what they want to do without having to leave. I for one would always embrace an employee that says, “I’ve figured out what I like doing and I want to do more of it and I have some ideas on how I want to develop, can we explore this?”

It is also important to explore that part of the individual’s career that they do not see. With most people focused on what is not working, having a solid understanding of what is working is critical. It is far better to invest your energies in factors that are within your control than to be focusing on things that are outside of your control. Who knows a little time invested working through these things could save years in your career development.

If you are not happy with your current job consider the following pointers:

1. Decide on the essential criteria that must be present in the job you do in order for you to enjoy it and to feel confident and valued.
2. Explore untapped opportunities to do more of what you are good at and like doing and what you would like to learn with your current employer.
3. Set some realistic goals that will make a difference to the company you work for and prove you can do the job well. Set some realistic learning goals, and seek out projects that will give you the experience to practice the new skills.
4. If the company won’t invest in your development invest in yourself. Don’t sit back expecting others to manage your career. You are the CEO of you.
5. When it comes to soft skills development such as communication skills, influencing skills, listening skills etc. keep learning. No matter how much you think you know in this area there is always more to learn. If you are experiencing difficulties at work because of conflicting behavioural styles this wont suddenly change by going to a new business. There will always be someone out there that you don’t quite connect with. See it as an opportunity for learning and focus on what is within your control – YOU.
6. Unless you are really underpaid money should not be a primary motivator for taking a job. If the best reason you can come up with for taking a job is it’s paying me really well you could be headed for a fall. There is nothing wrong with taking a high paying role, so long as there is an alignment to other factors.
7. Focus on being good at what you do. Look for ways to make a difference. Look for ways to measure the impact of what you do and be mindful of the work you do and of the work done by those around you. What interests you? What gets you excited and eager to come to work? What do others do that you would like to learn?
8. Sometimes we have to become skillful in things we don’t like and are not good at. Unless you were born perfect we all have to learn. Frequently people will resist these opportunities for learning and that is fair enough we can’t be good at everything. Balance is what is important here and a willingness to take some risks; who knows it may not be all bad. Set realistic goals and take little steps. Avoiding the subject all together by hoping it will go away is not an effective strategy.
9. Focus on maximizing the joy from your work. Seek opportunities for growth and development.  Be the most of who you are. That doesn’t mean you need to seek promotion. You could be just really good at what you do and be really happy with that.
10. Work does not have to be hard, difficult or a life spent in bondage. Work can be filled with joy, challenge, reward, meaning and purpose. Yes every job becomes routine and if it becomes too routine look for ways in which to learn and grow or do more of what you like doing. Look at what is within your control and change it.

One thing is for certain. Enjoy what you do… and the money will come.