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😁 Boost Your Job Satisfaction: Insights from 'Why We Work'

😁 Boost Your Job Satisfaction: Insights from 'Why We Work'

Discover practical tips to find meaning in your work

May 30, 2024

It’s already Thursday so you can’t hate that.

💡 Today's key insights are from Why We Work, authored by Barry Schwartz, a distinguished psychologist and professor emeritus at Swarthmore College.

📕 In Why We Work, Schwartz gets us thinking differently about our jobs. He shows us how rewarding work can be when it's set up to match our real motivations and our quest for meaning—not just the paycheck. He's all in on changing our work spots into places where trust, creativity, and true happiness thrive.

🗣 This book was recommended by Dory Aine, Co-Founder of D&J Contractor Marketing.

SMARTEST TAKEAWAY

Increase Your Autonomy

Boost your job satisfaction by taking control of your work.

Identify tasks where you want more independence and start making decisions yourself.

Set your own goals and manage your projects from start to finish.

By taking charge, you'll feel more engaged and motivated, leading to greater personal growth and job satisfaction.

GET SLIGHTLY SMARTER

1. Find Meaning in Your Work

Boost your job satisfaction by identifying meaningful aspects of your work. Focus on tasks that align with your values and contribute positively. Seek out projects that have a greater impact and resonate with your passions. By finding purpose in your work, you'll feel more motivated and fulfilled.

2. Balance Your Motivators

Enhance your job satisfaction by balancing intrinsic and extrinsic motivators. Set personal goals that provide internal satisfaction and not just external rewards. Focus on finding joy in the work itself rather than solely chasing promotions or bonuses. This balance leads to greater engagement and long-term fulfillment.

Improve your work experience by building strong relationships with colleagues. Engage in team activities, offer support, and create a positive work environment. Strong social connections at work lead to higher engagement, better collaboration, and increased job satisfaction.

10-MINUTE AUTONOMY BOOST CHALLENGE

Quickly gain more control over a work task to increase your job satisfaction.

Pick a Task: Choose one task you want more control over.

Define Your Control: Decide how you can modify this task to take more ownership (like setting your own deadlines or methods).

Set a Small Goal: Create a simple, achievable goal for this task.

Plan & Act: Quickly outline a few steps to reach your goal and start the first step immediately.

Tip: Use a timer to spend about 2 minutes on each of the first three steps, ensuring the entire activity fits into a 10-minute window.

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WANT MORE?

Explore the deeper motivations behind work and how to transform your work experience in the book.

QUOTE TO REMEMBER

❝

The way we think about work can change the way we work.

Barry Schwartz

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