How to Become More Satisfied in Your Job

'Satisfaction' means different things to different people, but many people aren’t satisfied in their jobs. Perhaps that’s because they feel have too much responsibility or not enough pay or maybe their work is mundane, and they don’t get any enjoyment from their job. According to Positive Psychology, satisfaction is what makes us prosper as individuals and makes us feel like our life is meaningful and rich.

The quality of our lives is often determined by material, emotional and physical wellbeing which makes us feel satisfied with what we have achieved, whether that be at work or in our personal lives. Because we spend so much of our lives working, if we don’t feel satisfied with our job, it can heavily impact our mental health. Many of us have busy jobs that can leave us feeling anxious or stressed and over time this can lead to depression.

Effects of feeling dissatisfied at work

There are many aspects of our work that might affect our mental health and if you are experiencing any of the following, you might need to make some changes so that you can feel more satisfied in your job.

• Boredom
• Unappreciated
• Overworked
• Resentful
• Exhausted
• Stressed and anxious
• Hopeless 

Why is it important to feel satisfied in your job?

When we don’t feel satisfied at work, it can affect our overall quality of life and wellbeing. You might believe that your life doesn’t have any meaning or purpose and you have little hope for a positive future. Because of financial or family pressures, it’s easy to become stuck in a rut at work and you fear any kind of change. But you don’t always have to go out and start looking for a new job, there are ways that you can gradually become more satisfied in your current role.

How to become more satisfied at work?

• If you are bored at work and you don’t feel challenged, ask your manager if there are any other tasks you can take on. Easing the monotony and trying something new can give you a new lease of life and increase your motivation.
• Consider what it is that you’re passionate about and see if there’s any way you can incorporate that into your daily routine at work. For example, you might have a specific cause or charity that you care about, so perhaps try organising a charity event with your work colleagues. As well as giving you something to look forward to each day, it is also a good way to strengthen working relationships.
• If money is a concern and you believe you have too much responsibility and not enough pay, ask your manager for a pay increase or if they can reduce your workload. You might be surprised at the response and just a small change could make all the difference.
• Many companies offer training courses through work so why not train in a different skill that reignites your passion and improves self-development and personal growth?
• Set yourself personal targets at work and plan a reward for when you reach certain milestones like a weekend away, dinner at a nice restaurant or a shopping trip. Having something to work towards can kick start your motivation and also give you a great sense of achievement.