Actively redesign the specific work you do to match your personal strengths and values, which can amplify your sense of meaning and engagement in any role, regardless of its initial description.
Prioritize working on something that matters and has a positive impact on the lives of other people, as this intrinsic motivation is a key driver of human happiness beyond just a paycheck.
Seek out work that engages you, forces you to think, is active, varied, and challenging, as these internal rewards make jobs inherently more satisfying and worth doing.
If you are already making a living wage (e.g., $100,000+ annually), understand that significantly increasing your salary will not have a substantial effect on your emotions or stress levels.
Do not choose a job based solely on salary, as this often leads to ‘golden handcuffs’—being stuck in a high-paying job you hate—and can negatively impact your mental health.
Avoid using the amount of money you make as the primary metric to evaluate your success or job satisfaction, as this is often the wrong measure for true fulfillment and happiness.
Use empathy and humor to transform challenging or embarrassing situations for others, providing comfort and making them feel less ashamed, even if it’s outside your formal duties.
Look for small, creative ways to positively influence the environment or experience of others, even when they may not be directly aware, to promote well-being and healing.
When job crafting, ensure you still accomplish all the tasks and responsibilities you were hired to do for the organization, as crafting is about enhancing, not ignoring, your duties.
Recognize that any job can become a ‘calling’ if you approach it with the right attitude, focusing on intrinsic motivations rather than solely external rewards.
If your job is making you ill, involves a bad workplace culture, discrimination, or doesn’t provide a living wage, you should quit as soon as possible and search for a better opportunity.
If you are in a service-oriented role, prioritize getting to emergency calls as soon as possible to help people and avoid leaving calls waiting too long.
When solving problems, strategize about all possible aspects and outcomes, deploying a comprehensive plan like a general deploying armies to anticipate and address challenges effectively.
For managers, grant employees more autonomy to bring their strengths into their work, trusting them to fulfill their responsibilities while fostering a more engaged and productive workforce.