Research and Evaluation Consulting Maryland

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Do You Wish You Were More Content at Work? Make one of these lists in 2023.

Dara Murray

When you're feeling unhappy at work, it's easy to get stuck in a negative cycle. You might start thinking that there's no way out of your unhappiness and that maybe the problem is you.

But there are plenty of ways to be happy at work, even when things seem bleak. And once you do find joy in your job again, you can use these tips to keep it going strong for years to come:

Make these lists to be happy at work

Here's How to Be More Content at Work in 2023

If you're unhappy at work, finding ways to shift your perspective and focus your energy on things you enjoy is crucial for a happier approach to your job in the new year. Here are four simple steps to help you refocus:

Step 1: Take stock of what you enjoy, what you're good at, and how much you dislike certain aspects of your work.

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of your list, let's take a look at what you like and dislike about your job.

First, consider the job description. It should be clear what kind of skills you need to do well in the job and what your responsibilities are, which can give you ideas for what to write about next. 

You may not know all the answers right away, but make a list and continue adding to it as you think of more things that come to mind.

Step 2: Use these lists to guide the way you work.

Once you've made your lists, use them to guide your work. If you like doing a lot of writing, for instance, try to find ways to write more at work. If you dislike writing, try delegating it to someone who does and will gladly do it for you.

Step 3: Make a list of tasks that prevent you from doing more of what you like and set aside time to complete them.

Once you’ve made your list, decide where to start. Where are there opportunities for improvement? Are there ways that the company could make things run more smoothly? Do you have the resources and support needed to do better work?

Wherever you start, address one of your tasks at a time. Make sure to set aside time on your calendar each day or week when you can address that task and complete it without interruptions.

Also keep in mind that while some items might be easy and require no additional resources, others may require more effort or new hires. If this is the case, don't let those tasks pile up! Try to offload them as quickly as possible.

Step 4: Think about why you're staying.

If you're staying at your job, there is no point in continuing to ruminate on the fact that it's making you miserable. You can't always leave for some of the reasons I'll discuss below, but what you can do is make it less miserable.

If money is the main reason you want to stay, think about getting a side job or cutting back on some expenses so you have more freedom within your budget.

If family concerns are keeping you from leaving, then look into other jobs that offer more flexibility, parental leave, healthcare benefits, more money, more paid time off, etc.

And if it's stability that keeps you tied to this employer—well, then maybe just do the bare minimum so that you can keep your job without all the added stress of going above and beyond. It's not lazy or selfish to simply do your job as described.

Make these lists to be happy at work.

You can refocus your time and energy at work.

If you find yourself struggling with this exercise, remember that it doesn't need to be perfect (nobody's going to see it except for you). Taking the time to sit down and reflect on what you're good at will help guide the way you work and ultimately lead to more satisfaction with what you do every day.

This exercise is also a great way to get in touch with your values, which are important for guiding your career as well as your life.

Final thoughts on how to be happier in your job this year.

These are just a few ideas for how to make the most of your work in 2023. There are so many ways to find happiness on the job—but it’s up to you! If you’re looking for an easy way out, I would suggest starting with these four steps: Take stock of what you enjoy most about your job, identify tasks that prevent you from doing more of it, identify why staying might be worth it even if they don’t, and start making a list of small changes that will lead to big results over time.

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