How Small Changes Can Make Your Job Much Better
By Sandy Schroeder
If you like most of what you do, there may be a way to make it even better. Tim Herrera of the New York Times refers to a study by the Mayo Clinic that found physicians who spend 20 percent of their time doing work that they see as meaningful are at a much lower risk of burnout.
You might apply that fact to your own job to avoid burnout. Herrera suggests you carry a notepad with you for a week and divide your notes into two categories: love or hate.
Track Your Tasks Good and Bad
Then just list the job tasks and your reactions as you move through the week. At the end of the week, see how you might shed some of the tasks that you hate.
- Rethink them so they are less troublesome
- See if some of these can be delegated
- Talk with your boss about possible changes
One happy worker said you she found the people who were happiest in their jobs actually shaped the job that they wanted over time. I found that to be true in one of my jobs. I started as an editorial assistant to the director of an active healthcare center. The work was demanding and stimulating, but I soon found I also enjoyed coordinating retreats and setting up major conferences. I tackled one that worked, and kept right on going. Over time, the job evolved into a special events coordination post that kept me involved and busy for a number of years.
I have watched many people follow this same course. They came in needing a job, and worked hard to turn that job into the career path that they wanted. They all asked a lot of questions, did the research, and sometimes took special classes to help them get the spot that they wanted.
Look Closely
Take a good look at what you do every day, and then look around you at your company, co-workers, and overall objectives. You may see opportunities that would challenge you and fit you better. Reach out to see if you can get involved in some of them. Or take a step back and do some research into your company's track record. Then see who you should talk to about helping the company reach their goals.
After a week, review all of those notes that you made about your job, and start pinning down the specifics. You may not get all of the changes that you want, but you may be able to make enough a difference to make it worth the effort.
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