How to Be More Effective and Fulfilled at Work
Finding empowerment and purpose starts with connecting with yourself and your team.
We all have ideas about what it means to be successful in our work. We want to do a great job, enjoy doing it, and make a difference. But sometimes, however dedicated we are, it might seem as though we haven’t achieved that much at the end of the day. Maybe a task took longer than you’d planned, or maybe you added more items to your already long to-do list. Whatever the case, there are simple Microsteps to shift your mindset and make work feel more productive and fulfilling.
Here are four expert-backed tips that can help you feel more fulfilled at work:
Commit to your work and connect with co-workers
Some people are lucky to have careers they’re deeply passionate about. Others might struggle to relate their day-to-day work to their passions. But we have more power than we might realize to make this connection. This can involve focusing on gratitude, thinking about the value of the service we’re providing, or reflecting on how we’re supporting our team or customers. The connections we make at work are important, too. Having lunch, a laugh, or great conversations with co-workers can make a difference between our job feeling mundane and feeling meaningful.
Ask for feedback regularly
If you’re facing a challenge or need support, don’t be afraid to ask your manager for help — and for regular feedback. If you feel overwhelmed, perhaps you need help with prioritization. Asking for feedback can be daunting, particularly if you’re an introvert, but it will help you get the support you need to succeed.
Swap “how are you” for a deeper question
When talking to a teammate, swap “How are you?” for a deeper question, like, “What challenges are you facing right now?” The exact question matters less than taking the opportunity to go deeper, giving your teammates a chance to connect and be more authentic. When you start to ask about others, you’ll form deeper bonds that will help you tap into connection and gratitude during your day.
Write an “I did” list at the end of the day
Often we’re far more effective than we think we are, but we underestimate our successes or don’t celebrate ourselves for what we’ve achieved. A great way of measuring our daily accomplishments is to spend a couple of minutes at the end of the workday noting what we completed, however big or small: meeting a deadline, attending a meeting, giving extra support to a team member, or having a meaningful conversation with a coworker.