Career and happiness: is it possible?
The value of a career and career growth is among the most important priorities for modern people. After all, a career means success, money, and self-fulfillment. But is there room here for happiness, and is it possible to combine work with simple human joys? It is possible. How? Let’s find out below.
3 mistakes that prevent happiness
- The wrong job
A prestigious company, good salary, and an authoritative position. It would seem that everything is excellent. But the job brings you no special joy, after a working day you are exhausted and have no desire to do anything, and you go to work as if it were hard labor. Such feelings are a significant reason to change jobs. If the field of activity is alien to you, the company’s policy doesn’t suit you, or you simply aren’t interested in your duties, sooner or later depression will set in. Only the job that appeals to you and serves as a means of self-development brings real joy.
- Working around the clock without days off
Sadly, in Japan cases of death due to excessive fatigue and exhaustion are common. That’s why in the Land of the Rising Sun there are even special employees who come to work at 9:00 p.m. and send workaholics home to rest. Rest is the key to productivity. Good, full sleep directly affects effective brain function and physical activity. Consider rest as a guarantee of your work quality. And if your rest is interesting—it also brings happy emotions.
- Excessive devotion
The first mistake of workaholics is excessive devotion. A vivid example is the heroine of the film “Office Romance,” who couldn’t even get a pet because she didn’t have time to take care of it. This can happen if a person is lonely and seeks solace in work, but it’s unacceptable if there’s a family waiting at home. You can live for your job—but only during working hours. Of course, thinking, analyzing, and generating ideas can happen all day long, but when meeting with loved ones, be able to switch your focus to them. That way you’ll maintain the right balance between what matters most to you; your family will always support you and be your reliable home front.
The modern world imposes its own criteria for happiness on us, placing many joys of life within the boundaries of financial possibilities. Of course, a career is important, necessary, irreplaceable—but it shouldn’t be above all else. A smart balance between work and personal interests (hobbies, friends, family), the ability to realize yourself in everything that interests you and experience rich emotions—that’s what will truly make you happy.