Do you know what’s important to you about your Work?
What makes for happiness in your work? The answer can be very different for each individual. Research conducted by Indeed revealed that, although many people believe that compensation would be at the top of the list, in fact, there are many factors which come higher up the list of what’s important for happiness at work.
Taking Indeed’s research and doing some additional exploration, I was curious to find out what the most common aspects for career happiness are, and how they could be categorised to give a complete and comprehensive picture of the aspects which contribute to people’s happiness in their careers and in the workplace.
I found that these 12 factors for work happiness, commonly contribute to career fulfilment and satisfaction: Stability, Reward, Environment, Pleasure, Meaning, Balance, Growth, Status, Culture, Talents, Impact and Health.
When trying to figure out the change needed in one’s career, I know from experience that without the complete picture, being too close to the situation, it’s easy to keep going round and round in circles, without being able to take decisive action in the right direction.
It took me quite a while to discern what’s matters to me about my work, so I wanted to find these factors to help you get a clearer picture, quicker, so you can make the change you need.
Let’s break them down and see how they can transform your career satisfaction.
Here’s an explanation of each one, and why it’s important for happiness in your work. Obviously, some factors matter more to some than others. For this reason, I created a tool to point out which matter to you and where the gaps are. See below!
12 Factors for Work Happiness
Stability
Meaning, how closely the stability which you need matches that provided by your career. This can include your experience of your day-to-day tasks as well as job and financial security.
First things first, stability is the rock-solid foundation of work happiness. Having a job that you know isn’t going anywhere provides a sense of security. When you can plan for the future and pay the bills without a constant worry, it’s a huge weight off your shoulders.
Reward
Fairly obvious… how happy you are with the level of income for your work, whether that’s as a business owner, freelancer, or employee.
Getting fairly compensated for your hard work, be it with a paycheck, bonuses, or some extra perks, is a big deal. Feeling valued and appreciated can turn a dull job into one that’s not just about money, but about respect.
Environment
This refers to your satisfaction with the place where you work – the physical environment, location / commute and the tools needed to do your work. It doesn’t include the company culture or relationships, which is included under culture.
Feeling comfortable in your surroundings can make you want to get out of bed in the morning and go into the office.
Pleasure
This is the amount of pleasure you get from the tasks that make up your work. You might do a lot of things, but this is an overall measure of all tasks combined, depending on the amount of time you spend doing each activity.
It is not the satisfaction you get from achieving things, i.e. the result, but an evaluation of how much you enjoy the process.
Doing a job that brings you joy is like hitting the job satisfaction jackpot. If you genuinely enjoy what you do, work doesn’t feel like, well, work. It’s more like getting paid to have fun.
Meaning
The meaning you get from your work, which contributes to your sense of satisfaction about what you do.
Work is a lot more fulfilling when it feels like it has a purpose. If your job aligns with your values and beliefs, or you can see the positive impact you’re making, it adds depth and meaning to your daily grind.
Balance
How happy you are with the space you have for other areas of your life such as family, friends, leisure etc? This is not only in terms of time, but also the level of energy you have available.
Balancing work with life is like trying to juggle flaming torches; it’s tough but rewarding. Achieving that harmony between your professional and personal life can prevent burnout and make you an all-around happier person.
Growth
The evolution and personal development opportunities in your current work. How your work allows you to build on your talents, to develop new skills and evolve as a person. Ideally, the level of challenge is just right, permitted a level of growth that is sustainable.
Career growth opportunities are the rocket fuel for job satisfaction. When you can learn new skills, take on challenges, and advance in your career, it’s like levelling up in a game – you’re always motivated to go further.
Status
The level of satisfaction with how your work is perceived by you, other people and society.
Getting recognized and climbing the career ladder can do wonders for your self-esteem. Knowing that you’re appreciated and that you’re going places gives you a sense of accomplishment, especially if the status of your work is important to you.
Culture
The overall atmosphere at work, governed by underlying expectations, values, and practices which influence how you and others perceive themselves and the quality of your relationships.
The environment you work in matters a lot. If your workplace promotes teamwork, diversity, and inclusion, it’s more likely to be a place where you can thrive. A positive culture fosters a sense of belonging and camaraderie that contributes to job satisfaction.
Talents
These are capacities that you have. It’s who you are, rather than what you know or have even learnt. Your talents are things that are more or less effortless for you, and so for this reason sometimes difficult to spot.
When your unique skills and talents are put to good use, work becomes a whole lot more enjoyable. Knowing that your contributions are valued adds to your sense of fulfilment and happiness on the job.
Impact
This is the contribution that your work makes. It can be within your department/team, organisation and to the world at large. It is the difference that you are making.
Feeling like you matter is an amazing feeling, whether it’s for your organization, your community, or even the world, can motivate you and boost your job satisfaction.
Health
How your work contributes or prejudices your health. Consider how it affects you physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. The level of stress you experience is especially important in most modern day careers.
It’s easy to overlook, but it’s a critical factor in your work happiness. Employers who take care of their employees’ health through wellness programs and work-life balance support create a happier and more productive workplace.
Conclusion
Work happiness isn’t a one-size-fits-all kind of thing, and what matters most can vary from person to person. However, understanding these 12 key factors can be your roadmap to a more satisfying career. If employers recognize and prioritize these elements, they can create workplaces where you’re not just clocking in, but also finding real joy in what you do. A happier you is not only great for your career but also for the whole organization and society.
So, let’s get started on the path to a happier work life!
Get a Clear Picture
Partly due to my own need to zoom out and see where I needed to focus my efforts, I created a simple tool which gives you the complete picture of your Work Happiness.
It analyses 12 Factors of Happiness, which I identified as key to happiness at work.
Which of these are important to you? Which aspects are the ones which cause you to be dissatisfied with your work?
It gives you a clear perspective of where you currently are, what’s important to you and where the gaps are.
After answering some simple questions, it gives you your Happiness Percentage and a Work Happiness Report with Insights telling you where the gaps are.
It only takes 5-10 minutes to complete the Work Happiness Indicator. I’m making the mini Report available for FREE!
The path to Happiness starts with knowing where you are!
