This post is provided by Jason Dirkham.

Everyone has to work. Unless you’re retired, in education, financially independent, or otherwise incapacitated, you need a career in order to earn money and survive. Work is inevitable, but job satisfaction is not.

Some people have jobs they love. They may get huge rewards from working with animals or children. Or maybe they are actors or sports personalities who have a great deal of fun doing what they love. But on the other hand, there are people who hate their work, dreading Monday mornings and turning up to the office feeling miserable and stressed.

The vast majority of people lie somewhere between these two extremes. You probably have days where you enjoy your work, but sometimes you wish you could be somewhere else. The average person spends around a third of their adult life at work, so you don’t want to waste any of it feeling unhappy. But does this mean you have to change jobs in order to be satisfied, or is there a way to find fulfillment in your current career? 

To help you improve your quality of life, here are three ways to increase your job satisfaction.

See the bigger picture

Everyone has responsibilities at work, and by fulfilling your duties, you make a difference to your company, its customers, and everyone else involved. But sometimes it is hard to see how your actions have an impact. Maybe you see your job as sitting at a desk putting data into spreadsheets, or working on a production line making slewing ring bearings. But if you try to see the bigger picture, you will understand the importance of your role, and get an idea of the greater impact you are having. You will get a heightened appreciation of your role and find each day more rewarding. Talk to your boss or other people in your company to find out more about their roles and how they fit in with yours. 

Make friends

Many people see their work associates as colleagues rather than friends, but building a deeper relationship will enable you to get more enjoyment out of your working day. Try to put yourself out there and socialize a bit more. Arrange meetups with coworkers outside of the office and elevate small talk to more meaningful conversation. Once you have a group of close friends at work, you’ll have something new to look forward to each day.

Change your role

If you’re not satisfied in your current position, maybe a change of role would make a difference. Do you feel you are due a promotion? Or is there another area of your business that sparks your interest? Speak to your boss to determine whether or not it is possible to move to a new position that will make you happier and more fulfilled. The worst case scenario is they say no. But in the best case, your professional life will be transformed by your new responsibilities. 

Can you think of any more tips to improve your job satisfaction? Share your thoughts in the comments!