Working to be happy, is it possible?

Fulfilling ourselves at work, through our profession and within it, is the aspiration of many of us. Is this always possible, knowing that we don't always do what we want to do, precisely, or that we don't do it as we wish?

Indeed, labor was perceived as "a punishment for original sin". It was the Enlightenment that radically changed the situation. Today, work is a kind of cultural obligation. However, the notion of performance and that of fulfillment have not been reconciled. How, then, to be happy at work?

Remember: "I am not only what I do."

According to some sociologists and psychologists, work exposes us to real wounds, which further deepen our narcissistic flaws, insofar as we often put a lot of what we are into it. And we thus become much more sensitive to disappointment if it turns out that our performances are not suitable...

"I am not only what I do." should, then, be a thought considered as recognized and true; we should make a distinction between our action and our deep self. Our modernity is still far from it.

Making a distinction, taking a step back

At all times, two ideas of work have clashed, which continue to dominate the field:
1. I work to feed my family and have a little free time.
2. I work to be recognized, integrated, fulfilled. An indispensable condition for my happiness.

So, certainly, in times of crisis, the first vision tends to prevail over the second: we are happy not to be unemployed and that's all. But being realistic and pragmatic does not prevent the desire to improve one's life by improving one's professional situation.

It is good to step away from the professional hubbub and ask yourself some basic questions:
1. What are my needs (autonomy, structure, team, creativity, sociability...)?
2. What are my most important frustrations (lack of time, pleasure, freedom, recognition...)?
3. What are the advantages and disadvantages of the position I hold (openness, creativity, independence, responsibilities, salary, quality of life...)?
4. What would you miss if you resigned tomorrow?

Sometimes, it will be enough to modify a few parameters in your current professional life for everything to regain color and taste.

Developing your innate strengths at work will help you achieve more fulfillment. Consider taking our free personality test, 4K.

Not focusing your happiness on your work

Putting work in its proper place is imperative in order to put our essentials first and to be able to fill our gaps with our private lives. Each area must remain part of a whole.