Quiet quitting is over, it’s time to try making the job you do work for you
We’ve all had those days when we’re stuck in a work rut, daydreaming about handing in our notice, and walking out the door in defiance. It’s more common than you might think; a recent Gallup report revealed that only 10% of UK workers are engaged in their jobs, and the What Workers Want 2024 survey reported that 40% of workers anticipate leaving their jobs in the next 12 months.
It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking a new job is the only way things can improve – but, with rising living costs, and many people struggling to make ends meet, leaving your job or risking losing that security might not be an option. This can create a perpetually demotivating cycle, leading to the ‘quiet quitting’ phenomenon (where people mentally ‘check-out’ of their jobs, doing the bare minimum to get by). But when we’re spending a third of our lives at work, feeling engaged and enjoying a sense of accomplishment, and personal development, can make a huge difference to our wellbeing.
So, instead of mentally drafting your resignation letter, you might want to consider the process of ‘job crafting’ – an approach coined by psychologist Amy Wrzesniewski that can lead to greater satisfaction, motivation, and even improved performance. So, how do we turn the job we have into the job we want?
Identify your core strengths and values
Reflect on the activities that make you feel energised and proud at work. Which tasks really get you ‘in the zone’? Which ones bore you? Once you know your strengths, focus on incorporating more of those into your day-to-day tasks where possible.
Job crafting is about aligning your responsibilities with what excites you, so look for opportunities to shift your workload toward what you enjoy. If you’re stuck, viacharacter.org is a useful resource to help identify your strengths.
Try this: List your top three strengths and values, then cross-reference them with your current work tasks. Can you swap out less enjoyable tasks for ones that play to your strengths? Are there ways you can adapt things you absolutely have to do so that you use your skills more effectively?
Alter your tasks and responsibilities
This doesn’t mean drastically changing your role or neglecting your responsibilities (your boss probably wouldn’t be a fan of that), but, instead, finding ways to incorporate more of what you enjoy, or what aligns more closely with your skillset.
If you’re a creative person stuck doing repetitive administrative work, perhaps you can propose taking on a project that allows you to flex your creative muscles. Or if you are sitting at a desk all day but love being outdoors, maybe you can suggest starting a work football team.
Try this: Look at your weekly tasks and identify at least one you can modify to better fit your strengths. For instance, if you’re great at public speaking, volunteer to step up and lead the next team meeting.
Reframe your purpose
Sometimes, the issue isn’t with the tasks themselves, but with how we perceive how purposeful they are. For instance, if your role feels repetitive or mundane, consider the broader impact of your work. How does it contribute to the company’s goals, or how does it help others? When you shift your mindset, even small tasks can start to feel more purposeful.
Research shows those who view their work as a ‘calling’ tend to experience greater job satisfaction, engagement, and wellbeing, regardless of what their work actually involves.
Try this: Write down how your work directly impacts your colleagues, or a client or customer. If you really aren’t sure, ask them! Think about the bigger picture of your role, and the ripple effects that come from it. Maybe the person you served at a restaurant has been feeling isolated and lonely, but your interaction made them feel seen and appreciated.
Set career goals
Even if you’re happy with your job, setting goals can contribute to self-growth. Whether it’s learning a new skill, doing some continuing professional development (CPD), or improving your productivity, setting clear, actionable goals will make your work feel more exciting and focused. Plus, it’ll show your boss that you are committed to growth. This can also help to combat any feelings of monotony with a role, by reminding you that you have the autonomy to change things and keep learning new things.
Try this: Set one small career goal for the next month. Sharing your goals with others can help keep you accountable and might even inspire them to set their own goals, too.
Create a personalised work environment
If you’re working in a space that feels drab, try personalising it to suit your style. Whether that’s adding plants, organising your desk more efficiently, or adjusting the lighting, a more inspiring environment can help you feel more energised and motivated. Research has consistently shown that a positive environment can boost both your mood and productivity, with a study carried out by the American Society of Interior Designers finding that those satisfied with their office environment experienced a boost in performance and productivity.
Try this: Being in blue and green spaces, such as the beach and gardens, can do great things for our wellbeing, so see if you can sit by a window, have a walking team meeting, or venture outside during break times.
Job crafting is about making small, intentional changes that align your job with your passions, strengths, and values. It’s time to stop moulding yourself to fit your job and, instead, find ways to reshape it to fit you. By making simple adjustments to your tasks, environment, and mindset, you can transform your job into something that brings you a lot more joy.
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