Welcome to the Stop Sabotaging Your Success Podcast, episode ninety-five. I’m your host, Cindy Esliger. This is the podcast focusing on what we can do today to take control of our careers and overcome the inevitable barriers to success that we encounter along the way. 

Now is the time to ensure you’re happy in your career. We’ve all experienced significant disruptions to our work and work patterns have definitely changed. This gives us all an opportunity to look objectively at the companies we work for, the people we work with, and the jobs we’re doing. 

In this episode, we’ll discuss how this is a great time to take a look with fresh eyes at things you like and don’t like about your current work situation, and maybe make some choices that will create the conditions for your increased happiness at work. Take a moment to reassess, reset, and reinvigorate your career. There’s always a possibility to infuse more happiness into your existing work, and I want to assure you that increasing your happiness in your job and career are worthy goals. 

Solving for happiness is a concept that has gained increasing attention in recent years as more and more people are looking for ways to live a fulfilling and satisfying life. At its core, solving for happiness involves identifying the factors that contribute to our well-being and taking deliberate actions to cultivate more of those aspects in our daily lives. 

We’re going to focus on one area where solving for happiness can be particularly important, and that is our careers. Many of us spend a significant portion of our lives at work or doing work, wherever that may be, and the quality of our professional lives can have a profound impact on our overall happiness and well-being. Yet, work, no matter the location, can also be a challenging and stressful environment, and it can be difficult to maintain a positive attitude and sense of fulfillment when facing constant pressure, uncertainty, and those inevitable setbacks. 

When you’re happier at work, you tend to make better decisions leading to improved physical health and performance. You set bigger goals, seek more learning opportunities, and pursue development opportunities more enthusiastically. You also tend to be easier to get along with, which creates less headaches for those around you. 

But, you are not going to be happy at work every single minute. Let’s just get that straight right upfront. Every role is a mixed bag of things you love and many things you don’t find quite so lovely. It’s more about striving for a mostly positive experience.

Despite what many believe, your level of compensation is not a guaranteed pathway to happiness. It’s important that you feel that you are compensated fairly and in alignment with the value of your contribution and what you think is reasonable relative to others in a similar role, but beyond that, it might surprise you to learn that pay is less important than other variables when it comes to our happiness at work.

Career and workplace priorities can be as diverse as the professionals who decide them. There are many metrics people use to determine which jobs to pursue. Many people prioritize their happiness at work when determining their career path, but they aren’t very specific about what that means. Being happy at work can have many benefits, including increased productivity, because when you’re more motivated and efficient in what you’re doing, you are more apt to do more of it in the same amount of time as someone else. 

I hate to be the one to break it to you, but contrary to popular belief, it’s not your boss’s job to make you happy at work. In fact, there’s no action anyone can take to solve for your happiness. Changing our thoughts and feelings is an inside job that can’t be outsourced, even to those around us whom we trust and admire the most. That’s actually the good news because that means we are in control. 

It’s common to assume that to be satisfied, we must be in our dream job, where our skills meet our passions, and we’re excited to get to work each day. But that belief is based on a complete misunderstanding of what brings us satisfaction in our jobs. To be happy at work, you don’t have to hold a fascinating job, that’s the envy of all those in your field, with the most prestigious title or the most direct reports. It’s far more nuanced than that. And there are some factors that affect job satisfaction that are far more universal and have little to do with your line of work. 

What matters in terms of creating the most job satisfaction is not so much the ‘what’ of the job, but more the ‘who’ and the ‘why’. It might not actually be about finding the best possible fit between your interests and the specific job duties you’ll be expected to perform on a daily basis. Our satisfaction with what we do every day comes from the degree of alignment with our values, the quality of people we work with, and having a sense of accomplishment. 

It’s better to remain flexible on the exact job you’re looking for, while searching for the alignment of values and work culture you desire. This has definitely been the case in my career. The jobs I’ve enjoyed the most were the ones where I got to work with really smart people who brought out the best in me, in an environment where people were encouraged to optimize the way we did things, and encouraged to improve themselves. The jobs that really wore me down were the ones where the people weren’t my kind of people, and the workplace culture had more of an emphasis on having your butt in the chair, rather than more of a focus on creating results for our clients. The work was pretty much the same in both places. 

My sense of accomplishment came from doing challenging work and figuring out complex problems which felt well within my control, including finding ways to mitigate the risks that were inherent to the types of projects we were working on, as well as optimizing the way in which we did our fixed fee work. The actual day-to-day tasks changed over the years and the size of the projects grew, but the thing that made it very satisfying was working with great people. That even made the difficult people seem less of a problem. 

Since job satisfaction depends on fairly amorphous criteria such as people and values, it’s worth noting that a good job can become a bad job without any changes that would be obvious to an outsider. So much of it has to do with how you frame it.

Here’s one strategy that just might help you in doing that reframe: Start by noticing what’s working. People like to complain. Misery loves company. We tend to want to see only what’s broken, so challenge yourself to notice one thing today that’s working well or going right in your work. And then tomorrow, add another. For each day this week, add one more to your list. If you really want to challenge yourself, see how long of a list you can create. Focusing on finding something good will help you see more of the good that’s all around you. 

So, how can we create our own happiness in our careers, even when facing difficult circumstances? Here are five strategies that can help: 

1. Identify your values and align your work with them
2. Focus on the things you can control
3. Cultivate positive relationships
4. Find meaning in your work
5. Reward yourself

Our values are the guiding principles that give our lives meaning and purpose. When we feel that our work is aligned with our values, we are more likely to feel fulfilled and satisfied. Take some time to reflect on your values and consider whether your current job is in alignment with them. If not, think about how you can make changes to bring your work more in line with your values, whether that involves seeking a new role, taking on new responsibilities, or finding ways to contribute to your organization in a more meaningful way. 

In any job, there will be things that are outside of your control, such as organizational changes or difficult coworkers. Rather than getting bogged down by these factors, focus on the things that are within your control, such as your own attitude and work ethic. By focusing on what you can control and making deliberate efforts to improve in those areas, you can build a sense of agency and purpose that can help you cope with challenging situations.

The relationships we have with our coworkers, managers, and clients can have a significant impact on our happiness and well-being at work. Make an effort to build positive relationships with the people you work with, whether that involves seeking out opportunities for collaboration, showing appreciation for others’ contributions, or simply making time for social interactions outside of work to get to know them as people.

Even in jobs that may seem mundane or unfulfilling, there are often opportunities to find meaning and purpose. Consider the ways in which your work contributes to a larger goal or serves a greater purpose, whether that involves helping your clients, supporting your colleagues, or developing a new skill. By focusing on the positive impact your work can have, you may find new sources of motivation and fulfillment.

We all like to be recognized and rewarded for our contributions, but waiting for someone else to notice the good work we’re doing can be frustrating. Recognize your own accomplishments on a daily and weekly basis and give yourself a little reward with something you enjoy. This will encourage you to rely on your own internal validation more than seeking external approval. 

Solving for happiness in your career involves identifying the factors that contribute to your well-being and taking deliberate actions to cultivate more of those in your daily work. By aligning your work with your values, focusing on the things you can control, building positive relationships, finding meaning in your work, and rewarding yourself can create a sense of purpose and fulfillment in even the most challenging work environments. 

Happiness is a complex and multifaceted emotion that is experienced in different ways by every individual. While it is true that external factors such as our environment, relationships, and life circumstances can influence our happiness to some extent, research suggests that happiness is not something that can be found solely in external circumstances. Rather, happiness is something that must be cultivated from within. 

One reason for this is that happiness is often the result of internal factors such as our mindset, beliefs, and habits. For example, people who have a positive outlook on life and tend to focus on the good in their lives are more likely to experience happiness than those who have a negative mindset and tend to dwell on their problems. Similarly, those who engage in activities that promote well-being such as exercise and fostering meaningful relationships are more likely to experience happiness than those who don’t. 

Another reason why happiness is something that must be cultivated from within is that our perception of happiness is highly subjective and varies from person to person. What makes one person happy may not necessarily make another person happy. For example, some people may find happiness in their careers while others may enjoy their day job, but it’s their personal relationships or creative pursuits that really light them up. This suggests that happiness is not something that can be achieved by simply acquiring external objects or experiences, but rather something that is deeply personal. 

‘Solving for happiness’ is a term that refers to the process of actively seeking out ways to cultivate happiness and well-being in your life. It involves taking a proactive approach to identify the factors that contribute to your happiness and intentionally working to promote those factors. 

Yet, many of us spend our time looking for happiness in external circumstances such as material possessions and accomplishments. This approach assumes that happiness can be obtained by acquiring things or achieving external goals. While external factors can certainly contribute to happiness, research suggests that they are not the primary source of long-term happiness and well-being. 

In the context of a challenging work environment, solving for happiness involves actively seeking out ways to promote well-being and fulfillment despite the difficulties and stresses of the job. This may involve identifying the aspects of the job that bring meaning and purpose, focusing on building positive relationships with colleagues and clients, and developing a resilient mindset that allows for coping with setbacks and challenges. 

We tend to think external rewards, such as promotions or bonuses or obtaining validation from others, will solve all our problems. While these external factors may provide temporary relief or distraction, they’re unlikely to promote long-term happiness and may even contribute to further stress and dissatisfaction. 

Here are six practical tips for creating your own happiness in your career, particularly when coping with a challenging work environment: 

1. Identify your values: Take some time to reflect on what’s most important to you in your work. Identify the values that guide your decisions and actions and look for ways to align your work with those values. When you are able to connect your work to your core values, you are more likely to find meaning and purpose in what you do, even in the face of adversity. 
2. Find meaning in your work: Look for ways to find meaning and purpose in your work, focus on the positive impact that your work has on others, and look for ways to make a difference. Celebrate your successes, no matter how small they may be. 
3. Set meaningful goals: Challenge yourself to identify specific, achievable goals that are aligned with your values and priorities. This can help you stay focused and motivated even when you encounter obstacles or setbacks.
4. Cultivate positive relationships: Build positive relationships with colleagues and clients. Take the time to get to know the people you work with. Look for opportunities to collaborate and support one another. Positive relationships can provide a source of support and encouragement when you’re facing challenges at work. 
5. Take breaks and disconnect: It’s important to take regular breaks throughout the day and to disconnect from work when you’re not on the clock. Set boundaries around your work hours and make time for hobbies, family, and friends. 
6. Develop resilience: Resilience is the ability to bounce back from setbacks and challenges. Look for ways to develop your resilience, such as learning from your mistakes, reframing negative situations in a positive light, and seeking support from others when you need it. 

By implementing these practical tips, you can create your own happiness in your career, even in the face of a challenging work environment. Remember, happiness is not something that can be found externally – it must be cultivated from within. By focusing on your values, goals, relationships, self-care, resilience, meaning, and balance, you can find greater fulfillment and happiness in your work. 

Happiness is not a destination to be reached, but rather a journey to be enjoyed. In other words, happiness is not something that can be achieved by reaching a certain goal or acquiring a certain status, but rather a state of being that can be cultivated and experienced in the present moment. This means that it’s important to focus on finding joy and fulfillment in the journey of pursuing your career goals, rather than solely focusing on the outcome. By shifting your mindset in this way, you can create a more positive and fulfilling experience in your career, even the face of challenging circumstances. 

It’s important to remember that creating your own happiness in your career takes time and effort. It may require taking risks, stepping outside of your comfort zone, and advocating for change within your workplace. The secrets to happiness go well beyond what we’ve covered, but doing work that is meaningful, with colleagues who care will give you a good headstart toward creating a more joyful experience. 

So, maybe the best strategy is not to pursue happiness itself as your end goal, but to create the right conditions to set you on the path toward happiness in your career. 

Life is too short and the days are too long to be miserable at work every day. You are in charge of your own happiness, so create that happiness. 

And that’s it for this episode of Stop Sabotaging Your Success. Remember to download your Guide for Solving for Happiness at cindyesliger.com/podcast, episode ninety-five.

Thank you to our producer, Alex Hochhausen and everyone at Astronomic Audio. Get in touch, I’m on Instagram @cindyesliger and my email address is info@cindyesliger.com.

If you enjoy listening to this podcast, you have to come check out The Confidence Collective. It’s my monthly coaching program where we dig a little deeper into what’s holding you back in your career, and we find the workarounds. We help you overcome the barriers and create the career you want. Join me over at cindyesliger.com/join. I’d love to have you join me in The Confidence Collective. 

Until next week, I’m Cindy Esliger. Thanks for listening.