Doing a job you love impacts your life more than you would think. Considering we spend an average of a third of each day working, shouldn’t we spend it doing something satisfying and something we love? Absolutely!
Here are 10 reasons why it’s important to do what you love every day!
1. You are more productive
Studies have shown that employees who are engaged in their work have a higher productivity rate. This productivity doesn’t just present itself in the workplace however; if you enjoy your job you will also find yourself more productive outside of work, being able to juggle and achieve more in your personal time. It’s a win-win situation!
2. You are all-round happier
It doesn’t take a genius to work out that if you enjoy what you do you will work with a smile on your face and generally be in a happier mood. If you’re miserable at work this negative attitude and slouch-shouldered-demeanour follows you out the door at the end of the day, which makes it harder to enjoy your personal time. Furthermore, work-related stress is also one of the main factors that can cause tension in relationships at home! Be happy because life is too short to be miserable.
3. You work with pride and passion
If you enjoy and are passionate about what you do, you will take pride in your work! Someone who really believes in what they are doing will be sure to have a positive impact and make a difference.
4. You feel more fulfilled
It's becoming increasingly important to love your job or industry. As work plays such a big part of our lives and the line between working life and personal life blurs, a job is as much about personal fulfilment and growth, as it is about a paycheque. Of course the financial reward is a necessity and one of the major reasons we work, but it’s also about discovering your interests and what makes you tick, pushing yourself to your limits, achieving your ambitions and giving yourself a purpose. Feeling fulfilled can boost your drive and self-confidence, which can easily transfer over into other areas of your life.
5. You are more motivated and are a source of motivation to others
How you act and perform at work is contagious. If your work colleagues see you enjoying your work they will follow. This in turns helps you become a more effective leader. No one wants to follow someone if they approach work with no conviction but someone passionate and motivated makes for a good leader.
6. You’re a good role model for family and peers
This is true of both your relationships at and outside of work. Your family and peers will look up to you and admire you for following your heart and doing what you enjoy. If you are a parent, you want to show your children that you shouldn’t have to struggle through a job you’re really not enjoying for months or years on end. You want to inspire your children and give them sound career advice and actions speak louder than words, so encourage them through your own life decisions how to discover their talents and be driven by a passion and sense of purpose.
7. You will strive to be the best
When you enjoy your work you will constantly want to learn more and improve your skills to be the best you can be. You’ll enjoy learning around the industry/subject to become the best in your field and this continuous education and development will help you to stay ahead in your field.
8. Work doesn’t feel like a chore
As Confucius said “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life”. When work doesn’t feel like a chore, you’ll approach your daily work and tasks with enthusiasm rather than begrudgingly and like it’s a constant uphill struggle. It’s much more liberating than feeling like everything is a burden and requires effort you’re not willing to exert.
9. You’ll see more opportunities and be in the mindset to find innovative solutions
When you love your job and enjoy what you do, you see more opportunities. Opportunities for yourself and your organisation to grow, expand and develop. You’ll also be in an open mindset to find innovative solutions so you can revolutionise and be a pioneer in your industry and field giving you a great advantage in an increasingly competitive marketplace.
10. It is good for your mental wellbeing
The stress and strains of doing a job you’re not excited about is mentally draining and often physically exhausting. If you are unhappy and stressed out day in day out, your state of mind along with any physical symptoms can deteriorate fast. Being in a job you love can keep your stress levels low, fending off conditions like anxiety, depression and high blood pressure. Find your zen.
Moving forward
Step 1 – Decide what it is you’re passionate about. Think about who you are, what your interests are, what your lifestyle priorities are and what gets you out of bed in the morning. Taking a personality test such as Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) test can help you by assessing your personality type and giving you an idea of what motivates you. It might also help to speak to those around you and ask people what they notice makes you light up and approach with excitement and enthusiasm. You may not need to change jobs but rather approach your work differently so you can love it.
Step 2 – Take action. Stop sitting around saying one day I’ll do this or that because that day will never come. Make a commitment to yourself and set yourself mini goals and targets to start achieving positive change in your life. There is a light at the end of the tunnel but if you don’t enter the tunnel in the first place you’ll be sure to never get there.
Step 3 – Keep going. Change isn’t instant. It will take time but if you are truly making steps towards what your passionate about, yourself and those around you will notice that extra spring in your step, that weight slowly lifting off your shoulders, that bigger smile and that excitement ensue. You’ll grow increasingly productive and your momentum towards where you want to be will accelerate. This is your journey for change and you must embrace it.
#timetoimagine #lovewhatyoudo
