There’s a lot of talk about finding your dream job, jet setting, the fun and shiny side of employment— but sometimes you have to pay the bills and that means making the most of the job you’ve got. Even if you think it’s the worst job ever. So how do you stay motivated, happy, and productive while working a less than ideal job situation?
Right out of the gate it’s important to make the most of any job opportunities. While the job may not be ideal and it may not be your dream job, perhaps the people you work with are great. Perhaps the job you hold now may not be perfect, but the company offers a position and job opportunities better suited for you one day. Someone I once worked with began his career in the service aspect of the company and was promoted to a role with the corporate offices along the line. Use stories such as this as motivation tools throughout the day. Job satisfaction comes in all forms, and sometimes the work environment can provide as much satisfaction as the tasks themselves.
If neither of those conditions applies, look at the job opportunities you have created for yourself by being employed. Seeing steady employment on your resume, or talking about it in your video resume, shows that you have stability and are a reliable worker. Companies know that the market is tough and many people are forced to take positions they might not otherwise take. Holding a job is a responsibility and shows potential employers that you have the motivation to work hard no matter the circumstances. Simply being employed opens up more job opportunities than if you were unemployed.
Additionally, you can utilize this less than ideal situation as a motivational factor. If you don’t love what you do the world is full of job opportunities, even if it doesn’t always seem like it and even if none of them are your dream job. Taking a job with people you like, hours you prefer, or even location may prevent you from taking a job which on paper seems great but over time may actually prove to be a worse opportunity with very little job satisfaction. Find a factor which does provide you job satisfaction, be happy, and you may wind up with your dream job.
There’s an old song that goes, “If you can’t be with the one you, love the one you’re with.” If you cant work in your dream job now, make the most of your current job. Sing that tune and I guarantee it’ll better your job satisfaction and probably boost your motivation as well. Perhaps because of these two things, you’ll see an increase in job opportunities. Good luck!
What are some things you do to increase your job satisfaction if you aren’t working in your dream job? Let us know about it in the comments section below!
IMAGE: Courtesy of Flickr by Vectorportal
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