What Do You Need to Be Happy At Work?

While everyone’s criteria for what makes them happy at work may be different, there are a few ideas that come up for most every client I have had.  Take a look at these ten and see if they resonate with you.  What others would you add?

1. You are using your strengths. If you are enjoying your work, you are usually doing something you are good at.  To get the respect and admiration most people want and need, they need to have the ability to excel at the job.  By using your strengths, you can attain mastery of your work.
2. You are honoring your values. Values are those ideals that are most important to you.  What are you striving for?  Is it respect, learning, love, accomplishment, challenge, security?  How are you using your values to guide you in your decision making?  Are your values in conflict with the work you do or the organization you do it with?
3. You are in a supportive environment. A supportive environment lets you do your best work.  It means that at times you are left alone to be creative and to find your own solutions and at other times you are offered the help you need to get the work done.
4. You and your manager have a good working relationship. Your manager supports you without micromanaging you.  You are not punished for honest failures.
5. You are a member of a team that works well together. You are all focused on a clear objective set by you, your manager and your team.  Everyone does their job well.  No one is slacking off.
6. There is a challenge to the work you do. You are using your strengths but at the same time some of what you must do is new to you.  You are learning a lot and gaining new expertise.
7. Your work is meaningful. You see how your contribution serves a higher purpose and that aligns with your own life purpose.
8. You can maintain the life style that is important to you. You can spend time with people who are important to you. You can work on projects that are important to you.  You can be the kind of person you want to be.
9. The work aligns with your vision of your work and life. You see clearly where you are headed and know the direction is right for now.
10. You have fun at your work. You may be serious about the work and focus on it most of the time but there is some welcome relief with your manager and teammates that is fun. You look forward to coming to work each day.

How does your current job match with these criteria?  I doubt if many jobs meet all 10 criteria.  If yours does, congratulations!!  If your job doesn’t match up to many of these and you are not happy at work, a coach can help.   Remember that you can’t change anyone else, you can only change yourself.  Sometimes changing your behavior will change the way others behave.  I work with clients who are motivated to make changes in themselves and in their work relationships so they can be happy at work.  If you want to work with me on this, please call me at 781-598-0388 or email me at asparker@asparker.com