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The Importance of Job Happiness


When people speak about their place of employment, it is often laced with drama and discontent. Why is that? So many people are discontented with their jobs and it makes it hard for them to get out of bed every day to go to work. For lots of people, a bad job is what they think is expected. It may have been something that one or both of their parents wanted them to become. It may just seem like the only option available to them. What people might not know is that job happiness plays a big role in overall life happiness, and doing something you don’t love can be detrimental.

Of course, to live in society, you must have a job, but that doesn’t mean you have to have a job you hate. Sometimes, you end up in a situation where you’re glad to have any job, at least as an alternative to unemployment. As you get older and become more experienced, and you have more skills, interests, and connections, you may get opportunities to make changes to your employment situation. Many people can make money, even big businesses, out of doing something they love. Creativity and ingenuity are becoming more and more valuable assets, and traditional 9-5 office jobs are not the only option anymore.

This isn’t to say that quitting your current job to pursue underwater basket weaving is the best option. This is just to encourage you that job happiness matters, and you don’t need to stay stuck where you are, dreading every workday. Let’s take a look at the importance of job satisfaction.

Job Happiness is About More than Money

How happy or unhappy you are in your place of employment impacts a lot more than just your daytime hours and routine. For some people, their job is their identity, and everything they talk about somehow ties either to the place they work, the work they do, or the people they work with. They have to make money, and, darn it, this is how they’re going to do it, no matter that it’s slowly crushing their soul.

Having a job that promotes an environment of good communication, morale, and leadership is essential. No one wants to work in an environment where the leadership doesn’t listen or connect with the people who work for them. This structure is a breeding ground for unhappiness and dissatisfaction, which would bring anyone down; it might even cause depression and other anxieties. No six-figure salary can patch up a mental illness that affects you outside of work.

Your Dream Job is Out There

If you are unhappy in your current position, ask yourself what is stopping you from looking for another one. The world is bursting with ways to market and make money doing something you love and are skilled at. That dream job you’ve longed for since you were in middle school? Chances are, it could be within your reach.

Due to COVID-19, the job market is wide open in almost every field, and it is an employees market. You have choices. Whether you’ve lost a job due to shutdowns or simply see a hole in an industry you’re more interested in that you can fill, now is a good time to make a switch toward greater job happiness potential.

The pandemic has also led to an uptick in work-from-home jobs. Tools like Zoom and Skype have made work positions like a teacher, engineer, and writer possible from any remote location. Freelance writers and tutors can create their own schedules and work from where they want to. If being able to work from anywhere at any time appeals to you, this move to virtual careers is excellent news.

How to Find Your Perfect Job

If you are thinking about switching positions, take the time to think about why you want to leave your current job. Make a list of every aspect you want in a new job, including pay, location, work environment, and leadership. When you know what you want, it’s easier to narrow down the field. You might make use of a career service, which can give you aptitude tests and educate you on the jobs you may be best suited for based on your skills and interests. They can also help you update and polish your resume for better luck when applying.

There are a great many online platforms available to help you find a job. Many sites help you find jobs in specific fields or allow you to be searchable by companies looking to hire. Use these to your advantage, as we live in a digital age now. Websites like these also help you leverage your network. Knowing someone at a company or in an industry you’re interested in can help you get noticed and have better success.

There are enough reasons to be unhappy in this world; your job should not be one of them. When you have a job that you enjoy, your entire outlook on life can change. You don’t have to dread going to work every day and you may even be excited to clock in when you have a job you enjoy. Changing your job or job field can be a scary endeavor. You may have a strong sense of security attached to your current job. However, if you also have a strong sense of dread, anxiety, or depression attached to your job, those things can leak into your daily life and make your job not worth the trouble. If you aren’t sure what you want to do but know that you don’t want to remain unhappy, SokyaHealth has staff that is ready to offer support, listen, and provide guidance. Call today 866-932-1767.

More than 50% of Americans struggle with mental health.

Headlight is now collaborating with health plans and companies to make therapy more accessible and affordable. Speak to a Care Coordinator today.