It is a part of our working culture to celebrate Fridays (TGIF!) and groan on Mondays, the message being that weekends are fun and working is not. This mindset is so prevalent that it dominates a large number of our office interactions: I can’t believe it’s Monday already or Is it Friday yet or How is it only Tuesday. We’ve even created a concept known as Hump Day to remind ourselves that we are halfway through the drudgery that is the American work week.
We have normalized this mindset and convinced ourselves that work is not meant to be fun, that no one likes their jobs, that this is why we get paid, that everyone is working for the weekend and finally, that this is why we call it work (I never quite understood this one). And because we have normalized this way of thinking, we have conditioned ourselves to accept it. We may even question what is wrong with us if we reject it.
The truth is, there are countless people who find their work fun and fulfilling. They are not lucky and they are not rare. The only difference between them and you is that they have made the choice to find work that is fun and fulfilling. And when they are in a situation where that is not the case, they trust and believe that fun and fulfilling work is available and they will seek it out until they find it.
When thinking about finding fun and fulfilling work, it is helpful to examine what it is we value and find fun about our time off and expect the same from our work. Below is a list of some common components that people value about their weekends. Of course, each one will not be true for everyone, but think about which ones are true for you in addition to any others and how you can begin to expect and implement them in your work week as well as your weekend.
Freedom- There is something appealing about time that is entirely ours to do with as we see fit. Time off is ours to fill as we’d like. Some days may be spent fulfilling obligations, others doing something fun and others still relaxing and doing much of nothing at all. Whatever we choose, we are choosing it and that is a wonderful feeling. The takeaway here is to find work that allows the level of freedom that is most satisfying to you. This will involve a combination of the job itself, the company culture and your direct supervisor. And while it is improbable to imagine a job where you can do whatever you want, wherever you want, it is entirely feasible to expect a job where you have voice and power over your time and tasks. If this is a value of yours, know that there are jobs out there to match it.
Fun- When time allows, most of us choose to spend time off doing things we enjoy. This looks different for different people, but the point, again, is that we are choosing it. And much like work, there are probably a number of activities that we have tried and discovered we don’t really enjoy. We then may choose to give it another try or move onto something else instead. This mentality can be true in our jobs as well. We cannot fully know what we enjoy and excel at until we try it. Sometimes the discovery comes quickly and other times it takes a lot of trial and error. Either way, it is important that we keep looking until we find it. In a work setting, this may mean taking on new tasks or projects, investing in professional development, going back to school, switching departments or even switching careers. Whatever it may be, there is work out there that will be fun for you. I promise.
Relaxation- Other people choose to spend their time off investing in relaxing activities or no activities whatsoever. The value is in recharging and giving the mind and body a break from the hustle and bustle of a busy life. If this sounds like you and you prefer a schedule and lifestyle that operates at a slower pace, there are jobs out there for you. When seeking this type of job, be sure to ask questions about schedule, expected work hours, daily tasks, output expectations, etc. Once again, company culture and your direct supervisor will affect this greatly so be sure to learn as much as you gain about these.
Adventure/exploration- Some people derive enjoyment from trying new things and seeking the next thrill. This can be true for work as well. If you value novelty, find a job that provides opportunity for growth and change and one that will not be the same day in and day out. When seeking such a job, ask about daily tasks and opportunities to take on new tasks/projects and for growth. Find a company culture and a supervisor that welcome initiative and employee input. If keeping your job fresh is important for you, don’t settle for anything less.
Time with people we like- Time off is often spent with those we love- friends, family, significant others. This one is pretty self-explanatory- we like to be around people we like. This is true in any environment including a professional one. In many cases, we spend more time with the people we work with than those in our personal lives. It stands to reason then that the more we enjoy the people we work with, the more enjoyable the working environment will be. It will not always be possible to get a sense of co-workers before being hired, but you can ask to meet with some before accepting an offer. You can also use your networks like LinkedIn to see who you know who may work there or used to work there. Once hired, you can choose the coworkers you will socialize with. Choose wisely. These relationships affect both your personal satisfaction as well as your professional trajectory.
It is time we expect as much from our working time as our time off. Whatever it is that you value in your free time, learn to expect the same from your work. Learn what brings you joy and satisfaction and keep looking until you find it. This may manifest itself in any number of ways. Whether it is taking on a new project, moving departments, going back to school or changing careers, there is always opportunity to make the best choice for yourself. But regardless of what logistical changes you make, if you don’t shift your mindset along with it, it will not matter. In order to truly be satisfied and fulfilled at work (and life), you need to believe it is possible and that you deserve it. Once you adopt this way of thinking, it is only a matter of time before you find what you are looking for. Happy searching!
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