10 Tips to Reclaim Your Happiness and Find Fulfilment at Work

Back in 2017, the results of the Job Happiness Index revealed that many employees from the Philippines, Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Indonesia, generally feel unhappy or indifferent about their jobs. In 2022, however, Malaysia deviated from the pack. Based on the Malaysian Happiness Index Report 2021, employees are now generally happier. Factors such as the hybrid work setup and improved ESG have influenced Malaysian employees to feel a certain level of fulfilment in their work environment.

Of course, complacency is one of the roots of decline. So, you must always be vigilant about the upkeep of your career and how you feel about it. Remember that work should make you feel motivated and accomplished, and there are many ways to achieve that. We’ve put together ten simple steps to help you find fulfilment in your work.

Ten Simple Steps to Help You Find Fulfilment in Your Work.

1. Learn that there is life outside of work.

If you’re a workaholic, you might have a difficult time trying to absorb this. But in this day and age, where everyone prioritises the importance of mental health and work-life balance, it just makes sense to put extra effort into making boundaries.

While taking work seriously is admirable, taking it too far will take a toll on you and may even affect your work performance. You should only go the extra mile if you think it’s within your capacity or if you have the mental strength to do it.

Also, remember that there’s no crime against people partying on a Friday night after a very hectic week. Your work should grant you these small luxuries and moments where you can take a breather and just relax. You also don’t have to feel guilty about taking a little bit of R & R because you most likely deserve it.

With a balanced and well-rested mind, you will be wired to perform all of your functions: as a family member, a friend, and an employee.

2. Make work fun, even in little ways.

Feeling bored is very common, especially if you’ve been on your post for a long time. Things may feel routinary, and you’d feel as if you’re not engaged in what you’re doing anymore. This can be easily remedied by adding some spice to your activities.

You can try basic incentives. For example, you can think like this:If I finish this task before 3pm, I’ll give myself a nice snack.You can also do small activities in your downtime, like fiddling with a small toy or playing short puzzle games on your phone. If you’re a music person, try creating a playlist to try and boost your mood and productivity.

With these small additions to your routine, your sense of fulfilment is enhanced, and you’ll be more motivated to handle the workload.

3. Create an energy audit.

Let’s get something straight: work will always make you tired. Of course, it happens in varying degrees because each day is different, and the tiredness you feel should be fulfilling to some extent for it to be worth the effort. But, there should be a limit to how far you’re willing to feel like you’re a zombie brought back to life.

If you experience fatigue all the time, make a list of all of your daily activities for the next week or so. Take note of which tasks drain your energy and take up most of your hours. You can include on the lists even small recreational activities that you do in-between work since they also consume energy.

With this list, you can gauge whether or not you should cut down some of the tasks or lessen the time that you allot for them.

4. Have a gallery of random fun stuff.

A video of a cat trying to chase a laser light will always be funny. Videos or pictures that make you feel momentarily goofy are important to keep your workspace light and not stifling. You can have a gallery or a folder dedicated to these things to serve as your energy booster. Compliments from work or even achievements are also great motivators to look at on a bad day.

5. Seek positive people.

While working, you will be collaborating with all sorts of people. Whether a part-time or a full-time employee, you will inevitably meet co-workers you will grow to like and those you would rather limit your time coordinating with.

Some people will always see the wrong in everything or spread unnecessary gossip, and while there may be times that you will contribute to these things, spending time with positive co-workers will be more beneficial. Relationships that make you feel like you’re improving alongside them are the relationships you should cultivate.

Searching for fulfilment in your work is made easier when you surround yourself with people that exude a positive attitude.

6. Know what you want.

There’s nothing more liberating than knowing what you want. If most of your colleagues moan and groan about their jobs all the time, you may be influenced by them. But with an airtight conviction guiding the trajectory of your career, you can avoid absorbing negativity.

It’s key to ask yourself what you want to achieve from your career and to have clear priorities. Is it just about the money, or are you looking for meaningful work that allows you to make a difference in the society and environment around you?

By asking yourself these questions, you will be able to weigh your options and even feel more confident about how you’ll approach your career.

7.  Make a list of your career goals.

Once you know what you want and have a clear idea of your priorities, you can then make a list of your career goals. Maybe it’s to have a specific amount in savings to buy a house or to build a career in an environmentally-friendly profession. Or maybe your dream is to work in an exciting tech startup that inspires your creativity and passion for innovation.

Whatever it is, you need to have a list of actionable goals in order to progress in the right direction. This way, you can keep track of how well the company is taking care of your career life and career development.

8. Talk to people and try to find a mentor.

If you work in an office, you should know that the office is not a home. But, that doesn’t mean that you can’t talk to other people there — or even make friends! By adopting an amiable nature and approach, you can possibly meet people in your department who share interests outside of work. These people will help you adapt faster to your work environment because they can make work feel enjoyable. Having small conversations with your superiors and people in high ranks is always a terrific way of making connections and establishing yourself as an active member.

Generally, by talking to other people who have been in the industry longer than you, you will receive valuable insights that you can’t get anywhere else. There are so many nuances, so these small talks can be crucial in shaping the direction of your career.

If you can find a dedicated mentor while you’re doing this, consider it a bonus. With a mentor, you will have someone who can give you frequent pointers that will help you feel fulfilled in the long run.

It also helps to get different perspectives from external parties with hands-on experience in the industry. They will be able to offer objective feedback about your predicaments. Most importantly, you need to approach these interactions with an open mind but act according to what you feel is right.

9. Nurture your mental health.

We all experience that point in our careers when work feels heavier than usual. You can’t fault yourself for not feeling up for the job every time. Know that your mental health will always be a primary concern, and you have to be able to talk about the things that bother you — even things involving the workplace.

You go to work almost every day, so it’s normal that it will have a great impact on your mental health; whether positive or negative depends on a number of factors. To ensure that your mental health isn’t declining, you can consider talking to a therapist or even a life coach so you can articulate everything and possibly find solutions if need be.

Talking to a professional need not always be corrective. Actually, seeking professional help can prevent graver emotional conditions, so consider talking to someone and having them help you early on.

10. Take a sabbatical.

If you’ve racked your brains but still can’t find a way to feel fulfilled, consider going on a sabbatical. When your mind is in chaos, you’ll need time and space away from the hustle and bustle to disconnect and recharge properly.

If you’re in a creative field and need inspiration, a sabbatical is a wonderful way to get different perspectives and refresh your mind.

Control your own destiny by creating or updating your JobStreet profile. Things may seem bleak today, but there are steps you can take to bring back joy into your work life. #LetsGetToWork and start searching for jobs on JobStreet.