Being engaged in your work is a wonderful thing. Engaged workers tend to have more fun, they feel more connected to their workplace, they’re more productive, and they have a greater sense of wellbeing. All good stuff!

Unfortunately, a recent Gallup survey has revealed that being engaged is not the norm. After surveying millions of employees between 2010 and 2012, they found that approximately 30% of employees were engaged, while 20% hated their bosses and their work. The remaining 50% were kind of neutral – they weren’t especially inspired by their bosses or enthusiastic about their work. They were just showing up and doing what they were told.

If managers are engaged, enthusiastic, and communicate openly and honestly, this can help employees to feel more engaged. But managers can’t always be relied on to behave in this manner.

So what can you do if you don’t feel engaged at work? Here are a few suggestions:

  • Don’t be too hard on your manager – Your manager may want to be an amazing boss, but may not have the necessary skills. Try to be kind, and recognize that your manager is probably doing the best that he or she can.
  • Be self-reliant – Have confidence in your abilities, don’t be afraid to work independently, and try to take pleasure in the work that you do. Don’t rely on others to provide you with energy and enthusiasm.
  • Focus on the positives – I doubt that anyone’s job is absolutely perfect. There are going to be some negative elements, no matter what. But try to focus on the good things about your job. For instance, if you’re currently working on a project that’s difficult or frustrating, try to focus on how many people will benefit from it when it’s completed. And definitely take time to celebrate when it’s finally done!
  • Get enjoyment from everyday things – Was your office coffee especially hot and delicious this morning? Was your commute shorter than usual? Did you have an entertaining conversation with a coworker? Take notice of these nice, everyday things, and enjoy them. Getting pleasure from little, positive moments and events can make your workday better.

 

James, G. (2013, July 11). 5 ways to become inspired and engaged. Inc. Retrieved from: http://www.inc.com/geoffrey-james/how-to-become-inspired-and-engaged.html