You have probably asked yourself this question in your professional life. 

The question is: “are you happy at work”?  Are you doing worthwhile work that inspires you to stay with your current company? 

To be happy at work – you must find your niche. Find what you are good at and do it. Take a course to gain the relevant skills in the role that best matches your personality. It is called a fit and it’s something you can’t force. You either fit in the company culture or you don’t. This includes relating well with the people in your team every day, five times a week or more. 

No sense in forcing a circle peg to fit in a square one.  

Fresh graduates are often pressured to follow in their parents’ footsteps. That is to make a name for themselves in the industry that their parents dominate. When this happens, the joy is sucked right out of the prospect of working and becomes more of an obligation. A requirement to perform in an environment that isn’t meant for you. 

It’s similar to being planted in the wrong soil – which greatly stunts your growth. When you can’t be yourself – your authentic self at work – you can’t be happy. And there’s a lesser chance that you’d be able to do well in your role. There will be inhibitions you can not seem to overcome. As opposed to doing something that you love – there’s always a reason to push on. 

There are good and bad days at work. And when your own heart refuses what you’re supposed to do – you won’t make an effort to give your best and all will be for naught. You’ll regard it as a waste of time that does nothing to motivate you. It should come from within. If you are generally happy about your work, you have a sense of bank deposit that is saved for a rainy day. So, when the hard days come, you have something to source from within yourself to keep you going. 

You won’t give up on a difficult task or client. You have it in you to find a way to resolve the issue. You aren’t discouraged by the challenges that come your way. You consider them as steppingstones to further your outstanding reputation at work. 

Ultimately, you can choose to be grateful for the work given to you. Where you understand the value of the role entrusted to you, you can be happy and content at work.  

Be the very best person for the role you have. And you’ll be an indispensable employee in your workplace.