Understanding Your Values and Strengths

Finding work that feels meaningful starts with understanding yourself, like learning what matters most to you and what kind of work energizes you. Reflecting on your values, passions, and innate strengths can help you find direction in your job search.

Journaling is a great way to start. Write about times you’ve felt most fulfilled. What were you doing? What skills were you using? A quick journal session can help you see your strengths and weaknesses more clearly and is a great way to establish new goals.

Some of the most fulfilling jobs are careers that make a difference — roles that help people, improve communities, or solve real-world problems. Teachers, healthcare workers, environmental scientists, nonprofit leaders, and mental health counselors all improve people’s everyday lives. But making a difference doesn’t have to mean working in traditional service fields. Artists inspire, engineers build important infrastructure, and entrepreneurs create opportunities for others.

Finding a role that aligns with your values and strengths will help you stay motivated and feel a sense of purpose every day you clock in.

Embracing Change and Exploring New Opportunities

Shifting careers might feel risky at first — especially if you’ve spent years in one field. However, making a career move that aligns with your purpose is sure to lead to deeper fulfillment and professional success.

One of the first steps is to mentally reframe how you see change: not as a loss or failure, but as a bold move toward something new. It helps to stay curious and open-minded, focusing on what you might gain rather than what you’re leaving behind. Reflecting on your reasons for wanting something different can strengthen your resolve and keep you focused during tough moments.

You can embrace change and prepare for a new career by taking proactive steps to build your confidence. Research industries or roles that intrigue you. Talk to people already working in those fields, and ask about their experiences. You might even try a course or volunteer work to get a taste of the new path.

Have compassion for yourself during the process. Acknowledge the courage it takes to step into the unknown and remind yourself that growth often means stepping outside your comfort zone. With each step, you’re moving closer to a life that feels aligned with who you are and who you’re becoming.

Exploring Industries That Support Local Communities

Choosing a career shapes both your future and the community around you. Some industries create jobs, strengthen local economies, and provide essential services. Researching careers with a social impact can lead to meaningful work while improving the place you call home.

Healthcare, education, and public service directly support communities, but smaller industries matter too. Restaurants impact communities by creating jobs, boosting the economy, and providing healthy meals for local people. Similarly, independent bookstores, local tradespeople, and artisan shops keep money circulating nearby, helping small economies thrive.

Turning Regret Into Opportunity

Many people look back and question their career choices. A degree that once seemed like a great idea might feel useless now. A job that once felt secure may now feel like a dead end. But instead of regretting your past choices, think about them in a new light to inspire change.

Plenty of people have found ways to turn degree regret into the perfect career opportunity. Someone with a history degree might use their research skills in marketing. A former teacher might transition into corporate training. The key to success lies in finding ways to transfer your existing skills into your new role.

Embracing new opportunities can spark periods of personal growth, too. It might mean taking a certification course, networking in a new field, or reframing past experience to match a new role. Every career misstep teaches something, and those lessons can lead to a path that finally feels right.

Aligning Career Goals With Your Ideal Lifestyle

A fulfilling career should support both your goals and your lifestyle. Work-life balance, income needs, and long-term aspirations all play a role. Some jobs offer flexibility, while others require long hours but come with higher pay. Knowing what you value most helps in choosing a path that aligns with your priorities.

Networking can provide insight into different careers. Talking to professionals in various fields helps clarify what daily life in a role looks like. Job shadowing offers hands-on experience before committing to a major change.

Considering how a career fits into your future — not just your paycheck — leads to better choices. A job should provide stability, growth, and the freedom to live the life you want.

The Power of a Purpose-Driven Career

A career that aligns with your passion, values, and skills brings lasting fulfillment. Finding purpose in your work takes time through small, intentional steps. Explore new opportunities, connect with people in inspiring fields, and stay open to change. Every step forward brings you closer to a career that feels meaningful and rewarding.

Photo Credit

Photo is from Unsplash

Guest Author Bio
Charlie Fletcher

Charlie Fletcher is a freelance writer from the lovely “city of trees”- Boise, Idaho. Her love of writing pairs with her passion for social activism and search for the truth. When not writing she spends her time doodling and embroidering. And yes, she does love all kinds of potatoes!

At its heart, Say It Now urges people to reach out to those who have made a profound difference in their lives, expressing gratitude and appreciation without hesitation. This simple act can change lives. But for nonprofits, gratitude is not only a personal expression—it’s also a vital tool for building stronger, more resilient communities.

Imagine a volunteer who has worked tirelessly for years, never expecting recognition. Imagine the impact of receiving a heartfelt note of thanks, acknowledging the difference they’ve made in the lives of countless individuals. Imagine a donor being told that their contribution didn’t just fund a project but changed the course of someone’s life. These moments matter, and they are what Say It Now is all about.

But the ripple effect doesn’t stop there. When someone receives a genuine expression of gratitude, they are more likely to express appreciation in return. This creates a chain reaction of acknowledgment, intention, and connection. The gratitude doesn’t just stay between two individuals—it spreads throughout communities, empowering people to build stronger, more supportive relationships.

For NGOs, Say It Now represents an opportunity to create a gratitude-driven culture. By publicly and privately recognizing staff, volunteers, donors, and beneficiaries, nonprofits can foster an environment where everyone feels valued. And when people feel appreciated, they are more engaged, more motivated, and more likely to remain committed to the cause.

Beyond the organizational impact, Say It Now is shaping the way communities interact. Whether it’s thanking a frontline worker, a teacher, or a neighbor, the movement reminds us that gratitude strengthens the social fabric that holds us together. For NGOs working in areas affected by social inequality, displacement, or conflict, gratitude can serve as a healing force—one that brings people together and reminds us of our shared humanity.

In the end, the Say It Now movement is not just about individual acts of gratitude; it’s about creating a global culture that values appreciation and connection. By embracing this philosophy, NGOs can become the driving force behind a world where gratitude leads the way.

Photo Credit

Photo is from iStock

During his TEDx speech, Green asked a question that resonated deeply with his audience: Why wait? Why do so many of us delay sharing the words that could uplift someone, offer closure, or strengthen a connection? For Green, the regret of unspoken gratitude is personal. His journey to founding Say It Now was sparked by his own reflections on missed opportunities to acknowledge the people who had made a significant impact on his life. He came to realize that the moments we often regret the most are the ones in which we failed to let someone know how much they meant to us.

“Don’t assume you have time,” Green told the audience, encouraging everyone to take immediate action. For Green, expressing gratitude isn’t just about kindness; it’s about enriching the lives of others by sharing the appreciation we often keep inside. His message is as simple as it is profound: relationships are the cornerstone of our lives, and expressing gratitude for those relationships should never be postponed.

At its core, the Say It Now movement isn’t about casual “thank yous” or fleeting acknowledgments. It’s about creating deep, meaningful connections through genuine expressions of gratitude. Green emphasizes that it’s not just about recognizing someone for a single moment—it’s about recognizing the ongoing, sometimes quiet ways in which others help shape our lives. Whether it’s a mentor who offered guidance during a difficult time or a friend who supported you through a personal challenge, Say It Now is about telling those people how much they’ve contributed to who you are today. “Relationships matter,” Green says. “Close relationships are a treasure.”

The impact of the movement extends far beyond personal relationships. Green is quick to highlight how gratitude has profound ripple effects, benefiting mental health, overall well-being, and even workplace culture. Research has shown that gratitude strengthens interpersonal relationships, improves emotional health, and fosters positive environments. In workplaces, leaders who express appreciation create teams that are more engaged, collaborative, and motivated.

Say It Now encourages us to break the cycle of postponement and to take action—whether that’s by writing a letter, making a phone call, or speaking to someone face-to-face. By doing so, we create a cycle of intention and acknowledgment. This ripple effect builds a legacy of gratitude, inspiring others to pause and reflect: Who helped me along the way? Who made a difference in my life? Expressing gratitude not only strengthens the connection between you and the recipient but also motivates others to do the same. In this way, gratitude spreads from one person to the next, creating a broader culture of appreciation.

Since Green first took the stage at TEDx, the Say It Now movement has grown into a global initiative, touching the lives of millions. Over two million expressions of gratitude have already been shared through letters, phone calls, social media, and personal interactions. But for Green, the goal is bigger than numbers. The next milestone is to reach 10 million expressions of gratitude, but the ultimate aim is to build a worldwide community where gratitude is a daily practice and human connection is prioritized.

The movement has sparked conversations about the importance of expressing gratitude in all areas of life—from personal relationships to the workplace. Say It Now encourages us to go beyond the surface and reflect on the deep impact people have had on our lives. As Green has said, “It’s not about saying ‘thank you’ for something small. It’s about recognizing those who have played a significant role in shaping who you are.”

The message is clear: don’t wait. Time is fleeting, and the opportunity to express your gratitude may pass you by if you wait too long. By fostering a culture of gratitude, Say It Now is helping to build stronger relationships and create lasting legacies of appreciation. Whether it’s a heartfelt conversation, a simple letter, or a phone call, the time to act is now.

As Say It Now continues to grow, the movement invites us all to stop, reflect, and express gratitude to the people who have shaped our lives. The power of gratitude is transformative—it creates connections, deepens relationships, and enriches both the giver and the recipient. In Green’s words, “Close relationships are a treasure.” Say It Now encourages us all to cherish those relationships, to nurture them, and to let the people in our lives know just how much they matter. It’s a message of hope, connection, and community—and it’s a message that resonates across generations and cultures.

Whether through letters, social media, or face-to-face conversations, Say It Now invites you to be part of a global movement that changes lives—one expression of gratitude at a time. With every word spoken and every message shared, we are reminded of the importance of acknowledging those who have made a real difference. And in doing so, we enrich not only their lives but also our own.

Photo Credit

Photo is by Debby Hudson on Unsplash

This starts with carefully assessing your skills and experiences, which are the essential assets you possess. Emphasize what makes you special. Reach out to others who can aid you in your journey. Additionally — given how quickly everything changes — it’s important to prioritize adaptability and open-mindedness. Find out more about how to make your career shift a lifetime adventure.

Know What You Bring to the Table

As you begin this exciting new journey into a different career path, create a compelling narrative that encapsulates who you are and the unique value you offer. Don’t just dash off a template resume that’s the same for every position you apply for. Think specifically about your transferable skills and experiences and how they relate to the new career direction you want to pursue. Take some time to reflect on your past positions, identifying key skills you can apply to your next career, such as effective communication, strong leadership abilities, and project management expertise.

Further, you’ll find that a distinct personal brand will help you stand out as you’re searching for jobs. Your personal brand represents the image and message you convey to potential employers, and it can have a crucial impact on how employers and clients view you in your target field. By establishing a clear, authentic personal brand, you can leave a lasting impact that truly resonates with hiring managers and industry leaders.

“People have the ability to take inventory of their passions and pair something they’re passionate about with something people need and are willing to spend money on,” says brand strategist Phil Pallen. Be passionate when you’re developing a personal brand. Think about how you can translate that passion into a service or product that people need. You can showcase your passion in social media and blog posts. Depending on your specialty, you may want to create an online portfolio with examples of the work you’re passionate about.

Find Ways to Stand Out

You need to differentiate yourself from others to move ahead in a competitive job market. Standing out from the competition is always a challenge, but it can be particularly tricky for those who find traditional networking and self-promotion daunting, especially if you’re shy or naturally introverted. However, there are ways to do so successfully, even if you’re introverted or uncomfortable singing your own praises.

To effectively market yourself as an introvert, consider alternative strategies. Highlight your strengths in collaboration and thoughtful communication, which can set you apart in a world that often values extroverted traits. Focus on showcasing your natural strengths which are also sought-after qualities, like listening skills, attention to detail, and problem-solving. Seek opportunities to demonstrate your skills through volunteering, freelance projects, or online portfolios that showcase your work.

Ask for Help

Asking for help can be a powerful tool in your career transition. Whether it’s reaching out to mentors, former colleagues, or friends, building a support network is crucial. Connect with individuals who have made similar career changes. They can give you valuable insights and guidance.

Consider informational interviews as a way to gather information about your target industry. This approach allows you to learn about the day-to-day experiences of professionals in your desired field while expanding your network. Don’t hesitate to leverage platforms like LinkedIn to find and connect with individuals who can assist you in your journey.

Stay Flexible and Open-Minded

Career transitions frequently present a mix of unexpected challenges as well as exciting opportunities. Stay positive as you face the difficulties, the hurdles and cliffs in the career change landscape. This means maintaining a flexible attitude and an open mind as you navigate the terrain. Be ready to explore a range of potential paths that could benefit your career advancement, including part-time positions, internships, or volunteer roles that provide relevant experience in the new field you’re targeting. Before you make the leap, you may need to undergo corporate training at your current organization to set yourself up for success. Not only is corporate training beneficial for your employer, but this can also help you gain new skills and experience to broaden your prospects.

Additionally, if you’re presented with an unexpected opportunity and you aren’t sure what to do about it, take some time to consider all the factors. This includes things like compensation, but also your motivations for changing careers. Reflect on the fundamental factors influencing your decision, whether those factors involve seeking greater satisfaction, pursuing fulfilling work, or aligning your career more closely with your personal values. Doing so can make it easier to decide which opportunities are too far afield from your goals.

Ultimately, careful self-analysis could help you seize on an opportunity that, while it seems less-than-convenient, is actually the right way to go. This could include a job in a different country or one that requires you to take a pay cut.

Conclusion

Preparing for your next career adventure requires strategic planning and self-reflection. By knowing what you bring to the table, finding ways to stand out, asking for help, and remaining flexible, you can navigate the complexities of career change with confidence. Embracing the journey towards a purpose-driven career not only fosters personal and professional growth but also leads to a more fulfilling life. Remember, you need to prepare, keep striving, and be passionate to successfully navigate a career transition.

Your next career adventure might just be around the corner, waiting for you to take the leap.

Photo Credits

Photo by Saulo Mohana on Unsplash

Guest Author Bio
Charlie Fletcher

Charlie Fletcher is a freelance writer from the lovely “city of trees”- Boise, Idaho. Her love of writing pairs with her passion for social activism and search for the truth. When not writing she spends her time doodling and embroidering. And yes, she does love all kinds of potatoes!

In times like this we tend to procrastinate and our activity often comes to a grinding halt. There are things we want to achieve, but they’re just not happening for us right then. There are some big tasks to complete, like maybe finishing that marketing report, or business proposal, or lyrics to a song, but we just can’t get into it. Or perhaps it’s that job or extra income we are looking for that’s not happening as quickly as we would like.

So, we let our thoughts wander and engage in all kinds of unproductive activity that helps the time pass. All the while, scattered around us are little jobs we could do. That pile of paper on the desk that we’ve been putting off sorting through. The unread inspirational emails some friends have sent that we have saved in an email folder called “read me later”. The document that’s sitting on our desktop called “my to do list”. Maybe it’s the car that needs vacuuming, the dog that needs a walk, a friend we should call, the lawn that needs mowing or that pile of stuff sitting in the car port that we just keep walking past. When we ignore these things long enough, we begin to not notice them at all.

I believe there are some very important dynamics at play here. Two of them are resolution and motion.

Let’s start with resolution? Musicians understand this quite well. Melody is about tension and release. We’ve all watched thrillers and heard the tension in the sound track. Imagine stopping the soundtrack at that point of tension, rewinding it a bit and playing it again to that same point of tension, then doing that over and over again. There is no resolution; instead, there is dissonance and it doesn’t feel all that nice. Consider this: All of those little things we don’t complete create dissonance in our lives. It may not be apparent, but under the surface, subconsciously, a little voice is crying out for resolution. The more unresolved things we have in our lives, the less room there is for creative thought. It’s as if we have told ourselves that we can’t start anything new until we finish all of the other things we started.

What about motion? You can’t steer a parked car! You need to be moving in order to get somewhere. You need to take action to see some kind of result. When you start to move again, things that were not so apparent will come into sharp focus. For instance, while you are mowing the lawn, that last line to the lyrics you have been writing just might pop into your head or perhaps it’s the solution to a problem that was preventing you from finishing that business proposal. Besides, the air and exercise will do you good!

Take a moment and clear your mind. Close your eyes, take some nice slow deep breaths and relax. Now, open your eyes and look around you. What little thing will you complete? You might ask, “But where do I start?” Wherever you want! Pick one and finish it. Then move onto the next one. If you do, you will be in motion and you will bring resolution into your life. You will be creating space where there had been clutter and it is within that space that you will find new ideas and the solutions you are seeking.

Photo Credits

Image from the Microsoft Clip Art Collection

First posted at synaptici

Originally Posted December 23, 2010
Updated on September 7, 2024

To start living a full and happy life, first, you need to figure yourself out. What exactly do you like and enjoy? What have you been dreaming about for many years and still have not realized? Don’t waste your life waiting for Monday or the New Year to start changing your life for the better. Monday may never come.

5 main ways to get rid of the monotony of life

One of the best ways to get rid of the routine and monotony in life is to go on a trip. People never come back the same from a trip. This is an opportunity to experience the lives of others, communicate with interesting new people and witness new cultures that have completely different views on life. A wide variety of destinations are available to you now.

Depending on your preference, freezing Iceland, the exotic Philippines or ultra-technologic UAE are some great choices. If you choose UAE, you could try something new. For example, there are sports cars for rent in Dubai that will provide you with an unforgettable experience. Renting a car will allow you the freedom to see the hidden corners of the country. And by the way, renting even a supercar is very affordable.

Surround yourself with positive people

Communicate with those who know how to live and have fun. Do not hesitate to speak with your loved ones about your experiences and feelings. Each person should be able to give you at least one good piece of advice on how they cope with monotony. Positive people look at life differently, can give you confidence, and can teach you to be in the moment and cope with difficulties. Communicate, share experiences and much can change.

Look at how children behave, how they know how to enjoy every little thing, every new little achievement. Don’t be indifferent, connect with your friends and family. Visit your parents or a friend you haven’t seen for a long time. These things help a lot to get rid of routine.

Engage in self-development

Reading books on self–development, watching educational movies or documentaries, doing yoga and meditation will help you develop spiritually. Start changing what you do and life will also change.

To get rid of the routine of family life, start with these steps. Become more attentive to your loved one. Learn to listen and have a deeper understanding about the person you have been living with for a long time. Look for common interests, new things you could do together. Volunteer somewhere together, take up golf, or dog training.

Life will become much brighter and more interesting if you start learning something new

In general, it is very useful to reflect on your goals from time to time. It doesn’t have to be something global. You can set a goal to learn something new or see a new country, jump with a parachute or ride a bike. Go to foreign language courses, master new specialties. Why not learn how to cook delicious meals? Or repair computers or master Photoshop.

There are many online courses for every taste. Learn to meditate or study astrology. In general, the main thing is that you should be open to anything new and interesting.

Look for inspiration

Read books about interesting personalities or watch motivational and inspiring films. All of us need examples to start growing and developing.

Try to drink a green cocktail instead of coffee in the morning. Go to work not by car or minibus, but by tram, or get up earlier and walk there. Ennoble the workplace and make it a more fun and colorful environment. In the evening, do not always cook dinner, but go to a new restaurant or pizzeria with your family. Out of habit, do not sit on social networks late, but take an evening walk around the city or a park in your neighborhood.

Take responsibility for your life and for yourself. You have to be the master of your own life. Learn to find happiness in yourself, love yourself, live with an open heart and soul, love, rejoice, admire, and learn. Live to the fullest, because you have only one life and you don’t know how many days you have to enjoy it to the fullest.

Photo Credit

Photo are from iStock

Guest Author Bio
Ellie Yantsan

I am a digital marketer with more than 10 years of experience. I am a contributor to Content Marketing Institute and regularly quoted as an expert in large media outlets. My job is to make your business known all over the Internet.

The key to changing your lifestyle is changing your mindset. The better mindset you have, the better habits you will have. Though the task of changing your lifestyle can seem daunting at first, it becomes much more accessible to navigate with the help of some tips and advice.

Here are some ways that you can get into the right mindset and overcome the challenges of lifestyle change.

Put an End to Destructive Habits

A great way to kickstart a lifestyle change and improve your circumstances is by kicking those bad habits that you’ve been meaning to stop for years. Whether you want to quit chewing tobacco or stop biting your nails, putting an end to a negative habit can help you discover a better, more motivated mindset.

When we engage in bad habits that harm us — such as smoking — we are communicating to ourselves the idea that our future selves aren’t important to us. By putting an end to harmful habits, you begin to show yourself more respect. The more you respect yourself, the better your habits will become and the easier it will become to overcome the obstacle of changing your life.

Associate with Better People

As the old maxim goes, “you are who your friends are.” We often adopt the habits and qualities of those we spend the most time with, and as a result, it can be easier to transform your life by associating with people who are living the lifestyle you aspire to. Though this idea may seem simple, it’s actually backed up by the field of psychology.

A concept in the field of psychology called social learning theory posits that humans watch the behaviors of those around them and imitate them as a way of learning how to act. It makes sense then that if you stay in an environment where people are making poor lifestyle choices, you’ll be more likely to do the same.

Have Goals

A great way to bolster your chances of successfully changing your life is by having goals. Goals act as milestones that, when reached and checked off, can improve motivation and provide you with a sense of direction. Without goals, you don’t have a north star to work towards, and as a result, will be aimless with your actions.

By having goals, changing your lifestyle will become easier. Say for instance you want to buy a house. If you don’t have a goal to save enough money to buy a house, it’s likely that you may never be able to. By setting goals and working to achieve them, you’ll have an easier time changing your lifestyle and improving your mindset.

Don’t Focus on the Past

Oftentimes, one of the biggest barriers to changing our lives is the preconceived notion we have of who we are. By focusing on our pasts, we create an identity that is made up of our past decisions — which can often reinforce ideas that we are not capable of changing our lives. By stopping this habit, and instead focusing on doing your best in the present moment, you can tremendously improve your chances of changing your life.

While focusing on the past can be a tricky habit to break free from, it can help to instead focus on the present and remind yourself that you’re working towards a better future. By doing this, it’ll be easier for your mindset to start shifting to a more positive one in which you see yourself in a better light as someone capable of achieving great things and changing your lifestyle.

Persist

One of the best ways to ensure that you’re successful in changing your life is to commit to being persistent. If you refuse to stop trying, then the chances are that you’ll be successful eventually. A commitment to being persistent can also help you deal with failure since you know it’s only a minor setback.

The more persistent you are, the more capable you are of achieving your goals. If you persist in trying to change your lifestyle, then nothing can stop you from making that a reality. As such, developing a sense of persistence can improve your mindset and make overcoming the challenges of lifestyle change more manageable.

Make It Happen

Changing your lifestyle can be challenging — but it becomes a lot easier when you reframe your mindset and start channeling your energy in the right direction. By staying committed to a few simple practices, you’re more than capable of changing your lifestyle and getting your mindset right. Don’t let self-doubt stop you from changing your lifestyle.

Get out there and make it happen today so that you can enjoy a more fulfilling tomorrow.

Photo Credit

Image by Public Co from Pixabay

Guest Author Bio
Sarah Daren

With a Bachelor’s in Health Science along with an MBA, Sarah Daren has a wealth of knowledge within both the health and business sectors. Her expertise in scaling and identifying ways tech can improve the lives of others has led Sarah to be a consultant for a number of startup businesses, most prominently in the wellness industry, wearable technology and health education. She implements her health knowledge into every aspect of her life with a focus on making America a healthier and safer place for future generations to come.

Enjoying work, where most full-time workers spend 40 hours or more each week, is essential to living a satisfying life. If you want to boost your job satisfaction — which is the level of contentment you feel in your position — use these seven tips to improve your workday.

1. Bring Your Passions into the Workplace

Everyone has at least one passion. While it may not be your current line of work, you can build job satisfaction by integrating your passions with your role. For instance, if you’re passionate about photography, consider volunteering to take head-shots for your team or contributing to your company’s social media pages. Take initiative in shaping your own role by showing your value in arenas you’re more interested in.

2. Find What Motivates You

While some human resources professionals may preach the universal effectiveness of their employee engagement strategies, it’s important to remember that every person is different — and you know yourself better than anyone else. While getting a free lunch for a job well done may be encouraging to some employees, it may not be exciting to you at all. Finding your unique inner motivations can help you feel long-lasting passion for your job.

Take time to consider when you were most motivated at work and create a list of your top motivations. Then, start seeking out those motivations from your workplace. For instance, if you thrive with recognition, you can cultivate recognition at work by making an effort to build authentic workplace relationships and help your team members whenever you can.

3. Take Breaks

Working for hours on end can lead you to grow increasingly exhausted and stressed throughout the workday. Ultimately, this can lead to burnout. Taking short breaks between your work sessions — whether it’s to check your phone or take a walk — can help your mind and body feel refreshed each time you get back on the grind.

The Pomodoro Technique is a proven productivity method in this arena. It encourages workers to work on a task for 25 minutes, then take a 5-minute break. Then after your fourth cycle, take a longer break for 15-30 minutes. This can help your biggest tasks feel smaller and less stressful.

4. Create a Routine

Implementing a good routine is an effective anxiety and stress management technique that helps you add a calming aura of predictability to your workday. No matter how chaotic your to-do list may look, your routine can help you fly through your tasks with greater ease.

Test out different routines within and outside of your workday to figure out what contributes most to your job satisfaction. For instance, getting up earlier can give you time to wake up your mind and relax with a cup of coffee, and setting aside your work outfit the night before will reduce the number of choices you need to make before your workday begins.

5. Lead a Healthy Lifestyle

How you feel internally can greatly affect your mood at work. Improving your diet with plenty of nutrient-rich foods (like lean meats, fruits, and vegetables) can keep your energy levels high. This way, you’ll feel prepared to take on any project and more capable in your role.

6. Discover Your Purpose at Work

Feeling useless or unimportant in your workplace can quickly lead to job dissatisfaction. When you want to have consistently good days at work, it’s important to discover your purpose, or why you’re an essential part of your team. Consider what skills you contribute to your workplace and what you uniquely do to make your customers’ lives and your coworkers’ lives easier. Ask for input from your coworkers if you need a reminder of why you’re needed.

Once you know your purpose, remind yourself of it each time you feel demoralized. You can also hone into it by volunteering to actively serve your purpose whenever you can.

7. Pursue Your Career Goals

If you’re not in love with where you’re at in your career right now, consider how you can use it as a stepping stone for your career goals. Have a conversation with your managers about where you want to be in the next five years, then request their support for your growth.

For instance, if you’d ideally like to serve in a managerial role, ask your supervisors if they can connect you to mentors or invest in your continuing education. Request more responsibility to show that you’re capable of bigger and better roles.

Experience Long-Lasting Job Satisfaction

Feeling satisfied in our careers is essential to feeling satisfied in life. To improve every workday and feel long-lasting motivation, create a consistent routine and healthy lifestyle to improve your mood. More importantly, consider your passions, your motivations, and your purpose — then find ways to access all three during your workday so you feel more content with every task.

Photo Credit

Photo by Jason Goodman on Unsplash

Guest Author Bio
Jori Hamilton

Jori Hamilton is a writer and journalist from the Pacific Northwest who covers social justice issues, healthcare, and politics. You can follow her work on twitter @HamiltonJori, and through her portfolio at Writer Jori Hamilton.

This journey intertwines with others we meet on the road and these exchanges can lead us in new directions.

When we are young we see our futures as endless possibilities and set forth to follow our dreams. Seldom do we allow ourselves to see the world through the eyes of others.

Many of us allow socio and geographic conditions to dictate our paths and without intervention, these paths become well-travelled and somewhat monotonous.

Many of us take the well-trodden path and avoid forging our way through an undiscovered trail that could lead to opportunities unbeknown to each of us.

An old man travelling on a winding road came across a younger man sitting on a stone at a crossroads. The old man asked the young man if he was lost and the young man replied “I’m not sure. I was given directions and followed them until I was distracted by a beautiful woman.” The old man asked where the woman was now and the young man replied, “I’m not sure, she left me behind”. The young man looked at the old man, whose face was wrinkled and worn, and asked where he was going. The old man took a deep breath and proceeded to explain to the young man that he had travelled the world and seen its wonders. In all his travels, he had seen many beautiful things and that each had opened up many opportunities for him.

The young man asked if he could follow the old man and learn from him. The old man ran his fingers through his gray hair, took another deep breath and then began to speak. “Your path is not my path but we can learn from each other and the world around us.” The two men talked for a brief while before going their separate ways.

The young man decided to forge a path of his own and the world revealed itself to him in ways that no one could have taught him and he too was able to share with others the possibilities that abound.

Wesley Chu, the author of The Lives of Tao, wrote;

“Look to your right… It is the path back home. If you choose, you can take it. It is safe, easy, and comfortable. You do not have to work out or fight or do anything else you do not want to…

Or you can keep moving forward. I will not lie to you. I cannot predict what may become of you. It will require a lot of training, hard work, study, and danger. But in the very end, you will know strength. I swear it. You might just become someone who will make a difference in the world.”

We will all reach the end of our journey and at that point, the clarity of our choices is what will determine our successes and failures.

What path have you taken? It’s never too late to forge your own and take the road less travelled.

Photo Credit

Photo by JOHN TOWNER on Unsplash

Guest Author Bio
Steve Godfrey

A small town storyteller trying to make sense in a wired world.

Mental health is related to many things in our life. It’s a factor when it comes to our dreams, ambitions, feelings and love life. When people keep their mental health in check, it makes them feel relieved and happy. This enables them to push themselves and reach their optimum potential. Likewise, when people disturb their mental health, this can lead to uncontrollable and abnormal behavior. Understandably, ignoring the warning signs isn’t a great idea, as it could cause long-term illnesses. 

No matter what your goals are in life, you need to train your mind to achieve them. Here are five cool mental exercises that can help you perform better and make the most of your life:

1. Imagine Success

Make a habit of imagining what success looks like to you; literally picture it in your head. If you are asking for a raise at work, visualize the conversation you will have with your boss and the exact points you will put forward; even see yourself getting the raise. This exercise removes self-doubt and builds self-confidence. You can also use visualization in this way to increase motivation.

2. Cut Out Negative Self-Talk

We have a tendency to be more unkind to ourselves than we are to others, to constantly degrade and abuse ourselves, believing we will never succeed. Saying the same negative things, again and again, imbibes them in our minds. Be kind to yourself. Accept that everybody makes mistakes and keep taking steps to achieve your goals. Replace your negative self-talk with positive messages to inspire yourself.

3. Learn to De-Stress

It’s extremely important to reduce daily stress, as it can rob you of energy and positivity. If something specific is causing you stress, it’s wise to work towards resolving the issue. 

You can de-stress in many ways, such as spending time in nature, taking time away from your mobile and social media, taking a weekend trip, practicing mindfulness or meditation, eating well and exercising and by simply talking to friends.

4. Practice CBT

Ridding yourself of anxiety, negative thoughts, harmful emotions and other burdens is necessary for success. However, keeping thoughts and emotions at bay is not always easy!

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, is a practice of observing one’s self, forming logical conclusions and dealing with one’s negative side. It can be practiced without any professional guidance and at your own pace. If you’re new to CBT, this is a great DIY guide to start out with.

5. Analyze Everything

Analyze every bit of your life that matters. Why did something happen? Why did it make you feel the way you did? How might the other person have perceived the event? Analysis is the first step in making important realizations about your life. It can make a big difference in how you see and think about the world.

Overall, a positive mentality, along with practicing positive affirmations, plays a major role in helping you perform better in life. Give these five exercises a try and let me know which one helps you the most!

Photo Credit

Photo from Flickr – some rights reserved

Guest Author Bio
Daniel Thompson

A huge fan of Real Madrid FC, Daniel is mainly interested in writing about European soccer, green technologies, environmentalism and environmental science. Daniel is currently working on his bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering.