Finding fulfilment at work is something that eludes many people, which isn't all that surprising as it can be tricky to pinpoint. The fact of the matter is that people develop feelings of fulfilment in various different ways, and some of these relate directly to the job they are doing, while others are more closely linked to interpersonal relationships with colleagues or bosses.
Ways to Feel Fulfilled at Work
Some people feel fulfilled when doing simple or monotonous tasks, seeing a pattern and rhythm that they find satisfying or soothing. Others will find that boring and want to do work with a deeper meaning to them personally, perhaps in the charity sector, helping people somehow. Everyone is different, and there are as many ways of finding fulfilment at work as people are working, but we have tried to pick out some of the most common ways.
Feeling Challenged
Sometimes people will feel fulfilled if they are challenged at work and have to use a lot of brain power to get through their essential tasks. Trying to figure out solutions to problems can be tiring for some and exhilarating for others, depending on the personality type of the person involved. If they have managed to get through all of the tasks even though the difficulty was relatively severe, this can be a source of pride, satisfaction and fulfilment.
It is vital to keep an eye on the situation to ensure you aren't working at capacity for an extended period of time, as this can be the road to employee burnout. Neither employees nor employers want to see this scenario, so try to ensure that "challenging" doesn't become "overwhelming".
Being Physically Comfortable
Being comfortable in your physical space at work can help you feel grounded, settled, and ready to do your best. Height adjustable desks can be a great way of allowing employees to shape their own workspace to help them be more productive and fulfilled in the workplace.
These desks are ideally suited for employees to change their position throughout the working day and spend some of their time standing up and some of their time sitting down. This helps to alleviate back pain from slouching that commonly afflicts people in an office setting. Finding a measure of physical comfort and knowing that your employer wants to go the extra mile to ensure your comfort can often contribute toward feeling a sense of well-being and fulfilment in the workplace.
Positive Working Relationships
Creating and maintaining positive working relationships with coworkers can help to make a job feel more fulfilling than it might otherwise. If you can really connect with your colleagues in a meaningful way and exchange valuable information about topics at work, this can help to smooth the working day for everyone.
Adding some value to your conversations can see you become a thought leader at your company, and you may become someone that others turn to for advice or leadership, which is never bad. It is something that may even see you marked out for career advancement by your bosses. If they feel that you are raising the level of conversations and helping the company as a whole to improve, you may be fast-tracked for promotion.
Set Goals Each Day
Goal setting is the sign of a focused mind, and setting individual goals each day can help you understand how much work you are managing to get done each day. Being able to tick achievements off a list can be a rewarding way of ensuring that everything that should be done is taken care of. Some of the most organised people in the workplace are those who use to-do lists and other similar ideas to keep themselves at the top of their game.
Being able to meet your goals each day will make you feel a certain level of fulfilment, and this is something that will keep you going. This is even true when the work feels more difficult than usual or you feel underappreciated. Completing your list each day is an excellent achievement and one that you can and should take pride and fulfilment from.
Consider Working for Yourself
Those who are most fulfilled are those who work for themselves. If you're seeking the most fulfilment you can have in a workplace, then being able to succeed in your own business is as good as it gets. It can be tempting to hold off on pursuing your side hustle as your primary source of income, but many people have taken a leap of faith into freelancing or founding their own company and have never looked back.
It can be a long, hard road, but any success you gain is entirely your own, and conversely, if it doesn't work, it is your "fault". There are a great many who have taken the risk and describe self-employment as the most incredible adventure they ever started.
