5 Ways to Be Happier at Work

Work may be necessary, but that doesn’t mean it has to be … so much work. If you rarely enjoy what you do for a living, it may be time to make some changes. And though there are many elements within the workplace that are out of your control, there are some things you can do to improve the time you spend at your job. Here are a few things you can do to increase your happiness at work.

Make It About You

Sure, you’re supposed to be all-in on the company’s success, but what good are you to the company if you’re not enjoying what you’re doing? To be happy with our jobs, we must be in it for ourselves. That doesn’t mean you should goof off or not care about company goals, but it does mean you should seek out personal meaning in addition to helping your company succeed. That can include finding satisfaction in your work friends or allowing yourself to feel a sense of accomplishment for winning accolades and promotions.

Assert Yourself

It’s your job—shouldn’t you have a say in what you do? If there are tasks that make you miserable or tasks you aren’t doing that you think you would enjoy and excel at, tell your manager. You may be surprised by how much you can tailor your job to meet your interests.

Help Others and Accept Others’ Help

You’re not in this alone. You almost certainly have colleagues, clients, vendors, or support staff you work with regularly. These people are team members, and your success is intertwined with theirs. If you make it a point to offer them help and accept their help when they offer it to you, you’ll likely feel more involved and more essential, which can help make you happier.

Be Positive

If you assume the worst, it’s really hard to be your best. Try starting your day with a positive affirmation rather than a groan or grumble and try ending your day by thinking about what you achieved rather than what went wrong. Additionally, avoid negative habits like eating junk food and never exercising. The more you model positivity, the more you’re likely to feel positive.

Change Jobs

Sometimes, a job just isn’t for you. If you think you’re in that situation, there’s nothing wrong with changing jobs. If you’re tied to your company, a move to a new department might do the trick. Of course, you can always consider a new employer, too. And if happiness is your goal, you might consider a company with a mission of social change. Working for an employer in the helping profession or that is focused on good work might provide a great backdrop for your happiness. Consider B Corporation companies and ones you know have a heart.

Expand Your Career Options by Earning Your Business Degree at Walden University

Organizations of all sizes are looking for qualified professionals who have earned their business degree and can demonstrate proficiency in the fundamental business principles and practices that can be applied to any industry. In 2018 alone, there were 998,716 job postings in the U.S. for bachelor’s of business administration graduates.¹ When you earn your business administration degree, you can develop the in-demand skills employers seek and gain the credentials you need to expand your career opportunities. Walden offers a suite of ACBSP-accredited business degree programs—including a BS in Business Administration, Master of Business Administration, and Doctor of Business Administration—that gives you access to a dynamic curriculum and the advanced business and management tools you need to excel in any environment, from education to government to healthcare. You can even tailor your online business degree program by choosing a concentration or specialization that aligns with your interests and career goals, each designed to meet the real demands of today’s job marketplace.

At Walden, an accredited university, you can earn your degree online while you continue to work full time. That means you can better maintain a work-life balance while you advance your skillset. With online learning, there’s no need to completely rearrange your schedule or commute to campus—you can take classes at whatever time of day works best for you as you earn your business degree and advance your career.

Walden University is an accredited institution offering a suite of business administration and management degree programs online, including a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree program. Expand your career options and earn your degree in a convenient, flexible format that fits your busy life.

¹Source: Data for this analysis of job postings for professionals with a bachelor’s degree in business administration from January 1, 2017, to November 30, 2018, was retrieved using Burning Glass Technologies: Labor Insight™. Results for industry sectors and job titles are at the national level and may not reflect local and/or short-term job conditions and are subject to change.

Walden’s BS in Business Administration, Master of Business Administration (MBA), Doctor of Business Administration (DBA), and PhD in Management programs are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). The MS in Accounting and BS in Accounting programs are also accredited by the ACBSP and have earned the organization’s Specialized Accounting Accreditation.

Walden University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, www.hlcommission.org.