no job will make you happy.
As a career coach, this might be a hot take, but I don’t believe a job needs to make you happy—at least not all the time.
Feeling safe, appreciated, and fairly compensated? Absolutely. But happy? Not necessarily.
Work involves too many unpredictable factors to rely on it for happiness—and dropping this expectation might relieve some pressure if you're struggling in your job or searching for one.
A job is simply a step on your career path, contributing to your experiences, skills, and goals.
It’s about consistently celebrating the small (and big) wins: tackling tough problems, connecting with people, and making a positive impact where you can.
Instead of trying to love every part of our jobs, we can appreciate the growth it brings. Even a challenging day can feel fulfilling if we're proud of how we handled it.
Here are some tips if you're struggling to find meaning (and some fun) in your work days:
Set goals and chunk backward: Picture where you want to be in a year. Break it down into monthly, weekly, and daily goals. Celebrate every small step—progress is progress. Even if plans change, you’ve invested in something valuable. This helps you take ownership of your career.
Invest in yourself: Use your company's learning and development budget for something you're genuinely excited about. If you're self-employed, create your own learning budget. Tap into new communities, add to your skills, and broaden your perspective. Personal growth will boost your confidence and motivation.
Build genuine connections: Cultivate relationships with people inside and outside your social bubble. If you’re feeling stuck or unfulfilled, talk to a mentor or a coach. And don’t forget to set boundaries to make time for activities and people outside of work—that’s where you’ll most likely fill your happiness cup.
about the author:
Hi there! I'm Silja, the founder of the wholesome growth club, an inclusive hub for career coaching with a soft spot for introverts and perfectionists. I’m an Amsterdam-based expat, but I love connecting with people worldwide. With a background in recruiting, I know the struggle of crafting a career path that feels truly yours. At the wholesome growth club, we're all about fostering sustainable growth, meaningful engagement, and authentic connections. Our blog is dedicated to making coaching accessible and sharing insights to approach work and life with an extra dose of confidence, slow productivity, and self-compassion. If you are curious to make things happen for yourself, get in touch—we offer personalized coaching journeys that will get you closer to your (dreamy) goals in no time.
