Have you ever thought to yourself ‘Is it possible to love your job?’ The good news is yes! It is possible to love your job and it’s in your organisation’s best interest to nurture that affection.
According to psychologist Robert Sternberg’s “triangular theory of love” there are three aspects of love: commitment, passion, and intimacy.
The University of Alberta, Canada, wanted to see if this could be applied to someone’s job. Michelle Inness who led the research knew that people could have a passion for their job, they can be committed to it and they can have a level of intimacy with their work colleagues.
They found that people who love their job “have no intention of leaving, are more likely to go above and beyond the call of duty, take it upon themselves to help or enhance the organisation and tend to find a sense of purpose in their job.”
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Benefits of Loving Your Job
- You don’t clock watch
- You’re less likely to suffer from ill health due to work stress
- You have satisfaction and fulfilment in your work life
- You experience ‘flow’ frequently
- You grow in your career quickly
- Your happiness at work can spill over into other areas of your life
- You will feel happy and energetic to start work
- Your colleagues are likely to be your friends
- You have a sense of purpose and meaningfulness
Inness and her team found the important factors in being able to love your job were having a feeling that you have control over what you do and the ability to change things and have a say.
This translates into organisations needing to express to their employees that the work they do matters and to tell them that they can contribute their ideas and that they will be credited for them.
Benefits to Employers When You Love Your Job
- You recommend your company to others
- You’re less likely to be off work sick
- You’re a hard worker
- You’re more likely to stay in your job long term
- Your productivity levels will be higher
- You’re more likely to come up with solutions to improve things
Inness and her team had preliminary data suggesting that “leaders who inspire, lead by example and live by a code or a set of values, will typically have employees who love their job.”
Can you Learn to Love Your Job?
- Change your outlook
Try focusing on the positive aspects of your job and look at the bigger picture. Can you improve your job by doing it differently?
- Improve your working conditions
Try to develop friendships with your colleagues at work. Also can you make your work environment more pleasant with things that make you happy?
- Move upwards or onwards
Have you tried talking to your manager about how you feel? Tell them what would make you feel happier at work. For example, do you need training, more challenges or advancement?
If you’re still unhappy in your job it may be time to look for a new job. If you want to explore other options do not hesitate to contact our team at 2i Recruit with your CV!
Now you’ve found out the answers to ‘Is it possible to love your job’, are you going to look at your job differently?
Contact 2i Recruit