Guest Writer: Clara Therese

After so many years, if you’re still working for the same company, it might be because it offers an attractive compensation package, a great environment, and exceptional leadership, which all employees want. You might even feel fulfilled. But that same feeling of fulfillment can wane after 10 or so years. Thus, it begs the question: How can you stay fulfilled moving forward?

Find out what being happy means for you

It’s on you to figure out what being happy means. Company leadership advisor Annie McKee’s definition of happiness might help you out in this case: Happiness is a “deep and abiding enjoyment of daily activities fueled by a passion for a meaningful purpose, a hopeful view of the future and true friendships.” In other words, being happy is finding enjoyment in the performance of day-to-day tasks and in nourishing friendships along the way. Happiness is not experienced in a vacuum; rather, it is an ongoing experience that you can cultivate every single day.

Don’t be limited

Workplace expert Adam Poswolsky explains in ‘How to Fall in Love with Your Job’ that employees must not limit themselves to their job title. Neither should you. Instead, do as Poswolsky advises: “Think beyond your pay grade.” Be prepared to step up when the need arises and make the most out of opportunities. Learn on the fly, if necessary. Take the example of Jane in our post on the ’3 Ways to Get the Job You Want.’ She is, among other things, in charge of video production. She determined that it takes eight hours to make a video, then — on her own accord — figured out a way to slash two hours off the process. Impressed, her manager tasked her to train her peers. By constantly challenging yourself, you will stay motivated and fulfilled, and even be recognized by others. 

Be grateful — always

Psychologist Lisa Firestone explains in ‘The Healing Power of Gratitude’ that being grateful has plenty of benefits. She claims that gratitude “is perhaps the most important key to finding success and happiness in the modern day.” Being grateful for everything will put you in a positive frame of mind, and make you happier regardless of your situation. 

Become a mentor

Becoming a mentor, millennial career coach Jill Jacinto tells Fast Company, is a way to pay it forward to “remind yourself why you fell in love with your career.” It can be energizing and it’s a chance to learn from the younger generation. In particular, you’ll learn to be a leader through collaboration. Training Mag calls collaboration the new leadership, and it is based on positive interdependence. Its benefits, according to SPIKE—What Are You Great At? author René Carayol, include enhanced decision making, improved use of resources, and better customer experience. This new form of leadership is, thus, key to success, as Maryville University’s post for organizational leadership graduates discusses. It is especially critical to aspiring leaders, who must nurture a collaborative mindset to influences others’ behavior and to be agents of positive change. Seeing positive changes — a mentee rising through the ranks, for instance — can be very fulfilling, and will even encourage you to continue to better yourself.

Continue building your network

Building a network is extremely beneficial, explains personal branding expert Bianca Miller Cole. Among other things, expanding your network facilitates a continuous exchange of ideas that can enhance your creativity. It also allows you to build self-confidence via additional training in seminars and conferences. Best of all, building your network is a means to build lasting relationships that are mutually beneficial. So, attend conferences, go on business trips, and reach out to new employees — anything that’ll have you rubbing elbows with new people.

Conclusion

It’s normal to start feeling unfulfilled 10 or so years into your job. It can be tempting to jump ship when that happens. But don’t rush. Instead, try the above tips. They’ll have you feeling fulfilled, and wanting to go to work every day.