How to Make the Most of the Job You Already Have

There are three moments when your job seems ideal: The day you spot the job posting, the day they say yes, and your first week of work. Months later — after various workplace stressors reveal themselves — the once shiny and new job typically loses some lustre. You may even start looking for greener professional pastures.

But the grass is always greener on the other side of a brand-new job description, so before you start rationalising a significant job shift, consider these eight ways to make the job you have more exciting and fulfilling. These ideas may keep you happier at work and help you sustain the benefits, comfort level, and reputation you’ve worked so hard to earn.

1. Volunteer for new work-related assignments

Organisations often form smaller teams to tackle specific projects; at the start, they may need volunteers to join. These activities include participating in a brainstorming session, helping onboard new employees, or writing articles for the internal newsletter. Could you make sure to pick projects that match your skills and your interests?

Some experts call this willingness to take on new tasks “organisational citizenship behaviour" and say the impact on your fulfilment can be dramatic.

Just know it’s up to you to find these opportunities; they won’t find you.

Start by asking your manager or human resources department what kind of help they need, and be realistic about your capability. Suppose your organisational citizenship contributions become a regular activity. In that case, it’s fair to ask your manager to adjust your job description or even your professional title to reflect that added responsibility, which can have an evident impact on your career advancement.

2. Offer to assist your colleagues

Research shows that helping coworkers can be very rewarding, so ask your manager how you can leverage your skills and experience to support colleagues. Surely, someone on your floor needs help with their PowerPoint. Some companies even have formal in-house mentorship programs.

As a senior manager, I often ask junior-level supervisors/managers to take the first stab at assignments on my to-do list. I feel very fulfilled helping them develop their professional skills. Feeling good about yourself is a big step toward feeling good about your job.

3. Take time to appreciate others meaningfully

There can never be too much colleague-to-colleague appreciation at work, and often there’s too little. You already know that giving feels just as good as receiving, so elevate your professional fulfilment by recognising excellent work by your colleagues in person, in emails, during meetings, and through internal communication platforms.

Make sure your appreciation is meaningful — not just “thanks” and “good work!”— but a complete description of what he or she did, why it made a difference, and how the effort impacted you.

Giving meaningful public credit to others also reinforces your reputation as a compassionate and valuable team player.

4. Take external or internal classes to improve and expand your skills

It may be your skills — not your job — that need a boost. Identify areas you need to develop and look for educational opportunities to accomplish that. External classes are easy to find, but first check your organisation’s Learning & Development department for helpful — and free — workshops and seminars. Internal courses will also increase your exposure to new people in the organisation who can make your work experience more fulfilling and delightful.

5. Introduce yourself to new colleagues?and get involved in social activities

Working alongside people you like and respect is crucial to your professional happiness. Try extending that impact after work by participating in more social outings, even with people you don’t ordinarily socialise with. You’ll find that the bonds you form outside of work will enhance the ones you have during the workday. And don’t worry about doing too much “shop talk.” The job is, after all, the biggest thing you have in common, and commiserating can make you feel more connected.

6. Renovate your workspace

Your happiness at work starts with joy in your workspace. Are there things in front of you and around you that make you happy or remind you of people and places you love? If not, start with a few simple items — like a framed photo of your family, a favourite mug, or a meaningful plaque or trophy. If you surround yourself with things that make you proud or happy — even at the cost of some distraction — they will make you feel more fulfilled in your job. At the very least, they’re great conversation starters.

It even helps to diversify your work location occasionally, whether working from home, at a coffee shop, or in a public library. Separating yourself from the drama and politics of your workspace can help you focus on and accomplish your tasks more efficiently — and few things feel as satisfying as knocking out nagging items on your professional to-do list.?The change of scenery alone can make you feel less submerged in your work world.

7. Take more time off to recharge

Working too hard for too long — even if you’re not an official “workaholic” — can wreak havoc on your overall job satisfaction, even if you love your job. So pay close attention to your work/life balance: Take vacations —or minibreaks — and take them seriously. That means unplugging from your work and work tools as much as possible. A “working vacation” is no vacation at all.

For the same reasons, try to leave work early and take frequent walks around the block or just around the floors. Our bodies were not designed to sit in a chair all day, viewing a big computer screen with occasional breaks to view a tiny cell phone screen. Taking your mind and eyes off your work can substantially soften the grind. And if you get to catch up with a friendly coworker in your travels, all the better.

Finally, minimise the amount of work you bring home, including reading work emails. “The blurring of work and personal time is a significant source of job stress”. Ideally, your work life enriches your personal life, not dominates it.

8. Take on a specific new hobby or activity

Feeling fulfilled at home may be connected to feeling fulfilled at work, so make sure you’re doing things in your personal life that make you happy. Having a fulfilling personal life may also reduce the pressure of feeling like your work life must always be as exciting and fulfilling as it seemed on that first beautiful day.

Even the most ideal job can feel unfulfilling or monotonous at times. But if you take proactive steps to increase your professional fulfilment — versus just waiting it out and hoping for the best — you’ll find that job fulfilment is something you can control, elevate, and even leverage as a launching pad for future success.