Four Requirements for a Job That Makes A Great Work Day, Everyday

If your company doesn't provide these 4 key elements every day, then it is time for a career move. Most indivudals tend to forget that vertical movement to another company is not "hard" or "unobtainable", it just requires the assitance of an executive recruitment consultant. Are you provided these four essential elements at your job, everyday? ~ William Thompson, J.D.

Article authored by Naomi Simson, Founder, RedBalloon and published via Linkedin.com on March 10th, 2013. All rights belong to the associated parties. This site claims no authorship.

Four things we need to have a 'good' day at work

Iregularly conducts surveys asking more than 3000 Australian and New Zealand employees what they desire to see in their workplace. Do you agree with what people are telling us about four simple things to ensure you have a 'good' day at work. One thing we do know is that for people to be highly productive - that is do his or her best work - they need to be in flow. And often 'management' or perceived bureaucracy get in the way.

What get's in the way of you doing 'your best work?'

Desire number one - More praise

One in five employees do not receive any praise or say, at best, it happens once per year. We want our managers to praise us more often, and more specifically. Although some bosses argue that employees only work for the money, it is far more than that. Do you feel more motivated when your efforts are noticed?

Desire number two - Better managers

52% of employees say they would leave a role because of their direct manager, and two thirds are convinced their managers don’t know what motivates them to be more productive. Everyone wants to work with a motivating, supportive manager. Have you ever left a job because of your manager?

Desire number three – More time with friends and family

Laptops, iPhones, Blackberries – it is too easy to work nowadays. The boundaries blur and employers need to recognise this. Business owners have a responsibility to shore people against burn out, and more time with friends and family plays a vital role in this. Have you ever worked somewhere that was all work and no play?

Desire number four – Greater trust

At RedBalloon, we call it ‘treating people like grown ups.’ Trust should be a given, not something that is earned. You trust that you have been given a role to do your best, and your boss trusts he has chosen the best person for the role. This ought to happen right from the start because it’s empowering starting from a place of trust. What’s been your experience of trust at work?

What does it take for you to have a great day at work?

Why You Are Unhappy At Your Job

Unhappy at work? Time to make some changes.

A whopping 60 percent of Americans would choose a different career if given the chance. That says a lot about our happiness levels.

Finding a fulfilling career is, in itself, hard work. We all want the security of a job that fulfills our creative aspirations, but many employees across the U.S. are struggling. So what’s the solution? Undoubtedly, you don’t have complete control over factors like your boss, money, co-workers, and assigned tasks. But there are reasons you hate your job that you can change.

Here are five reasons you don’t love your job:

1. You’re unorganized. Organization clears your head. When’s the last time you organized your inbox, updated your computer and mobile device software, or cleaned your workspace? Disarray causes anxiety, so get organized if you want to feel fulfilled creatively.

2. You’re stressed. By nature, work causes anxiety. But we all have to do it. If you aren’t taking time to step back and breathe, your stress will only get worse. Take the time to relax every day, not just on the weekends.

3. You’re not taking care of your body. Are you finding yourself reaching for junk food in the office vending machine? Are you overcaffeinated? Hitting up happy hour too frequently? Taking care of your body is the first step to unwinding, so pay attention to what goes in it.

4. You don’t like your colleagues. You see your colleagues each and every day. If you don’t get along on a personal level, it can be difficult to be in the same office together each day. Try to practice empathy when dealing with your coworkers, and understand that they have a lot going on in their personal life, too. If someone seems angry or upset, take it as a sign that they need space.

5. Your finances aren’t in order. Just how much do you pay attention to your spending? Are you throwing money away on unnecessary items like clothing, expensive coffees, or new gadgets you don’t need? Getting your finances in order will afford you security. If you can’t reconcile your finances even after addressing your own spending habits, talk to your boss, or band together with other workers who are feeling the same.

In addition to the above reasons, it is necessary to consider the big picture. Before you automatically assume it's just your job, consider if you are in the right industry or with a company that matches your core values.

Before throwing in the towel, consider which aspects of your job you can change in order to make your work life less stressful and more enjoyable. Learning to love your job -- or just falling back in love with it -- is hard work, and it often takes a level of introspection and self-awareness that some of us inadvertently lack.
(Image courtesy kalexanderson, Flickr)

About Ilya Pozin:
Founder of Ciplex. Columnist for Inc, Forbes & LinkedIn. Gadget lover, investor, mentor, husband, father, and '30 Under 30' entrepreneur.