Start Showing Pride in Your Work

We’ve all done it. We’ve gotten so set in our work that it starts to become a chore than an actual passion. It doesn’t matter what that work may be, whether you’re a graphic designer, a writer, or a fry cook at McDonald’s. None of us want to be unhappy in our work, however, it’s our unhappiness or unwillingness to show pride in what we do that often drags us down and keeps us from really being happy.

Here are some tips that I’ve learned along the way that have really moulded me into being thankful for literally any job and to translate that thanks into my work - part of why I feel I’ve been able to be so successful and spend my days doing what I love. 

1. Don’t Be Afraid to Leave and Find a Job you ARE Proud Of.

I’ve done many jobs in my life that I often refer to myself, and get referred to by others, like the Johnny Cash of work. I’ve been everywhere, man. I’ve done the burger joints, the coffee shops, Halloween stores, retail, data entry, the “is this even legal?” office jobs, and so much more - but most recently up until about a year and a half ago I worked as a law clerk. 

I loved working in law. I actually wanted to be a lawyer and have applied to law school in the past. I became a law clerk and really loved the work. I got good at it and was offered more and more money. It quickly became apparent that the money seemed like a way of trying to cover up the craziness that lived at that firm. I was often yelled at for making small mistakes and never given good feedback for the accomplishments I made. I ended up quitting because no matter how much of my pride I put into my work, I wasn’t being recognized for it - and I started resenting going into the office. You can’t show pride in your work if you don’t want to be there.

Just because it’s your “job” doesn’t mean you need to hate going to work! No one has ever said that. 

At the time I thought I needed another clerking job and not to try writing full-time (mostly because a lot of the people in my life were telling me NOT to follow my passion). But.. a few months later I was so busy with my writing and loved it SO much that I said “fuck it” and quit my job again. And I have been writing full-time and making more money than I ever did being yelled at, arguing with mortgage companies and trying to close real estate purchases in the last two minutes of the day (not to brag, but I never missed one. Even when I had to drive across town with seconds to spare).

2. Always Try to Keep Improving

One of the ways that many people can start to lose their passion and pride in what they do is because they think they’ve reached their max and have nowhere else to go. If you stop improving your work, then you’re going to lose interest in it. Keep working at building your skills and you’ll also have more to put on your resume and others will recognize the confidence that becomes much more clearer as you continue to prove yourself belong where you are.

3. See Importance in Your Role, No Matter How Small it Is

I remember working at the local hockey rink serving beer and snacks before games and concerts. I still consider it one of my favourite jobs because I got to know my team and the “regulars” who would come to every game. Even though I was only giving them a beer to enjoy while they watched, I felt like I had a purpose to add a little bit of enjoyment to their night. Even concerts, those beers were just a drink but I knew that if I gave exceptional service with a smile, they may not remember that but it would definitely add to a night that they probably would remember. Giving bored, passive service that they would remember was something I definitely didn’t want. 

If you see the importance in your role, however small, others will notice and you will be more likely to gain promotions, incentives, and the recognition you deserve. If you don’t, go back and read tip number one. 

4. Stick Up For Yourself

You know your worth. Don’t let anyone else try to tell you that you’re worth less than you think and know you are. As a writer, I have had so many times where someone has tried to get me to do my work for considerably less than my rates or even for free. Because what 30-year-old writer with specialized education and a  full workload wants to be asked to do writing for the “recognition?” Not me. Not anymore. There was a time when I used to take everything and do projects I didn’t want to do just so I could make someone happy and possibly extend my network. 

If you let someone use you as a shortcut to their own success at the detriment of your own even once, they’re going to keep on doing it. Stick up for yourself and say “no” when you want to. Tell someone when you think they’re being cheap - maybe a little more nicely than that, but still - and you’ll be happier knowing that you were confident in your own abilities. Hopefully, they’ll see that too and be willing to work out a more ideal partnership. If not, let them go. 

5. Finally, Have The Right Mindset and The Rest Will Follow

Some of the people I love most in this world are the most depressing people in my life. We all know one or two people (and if you’re one of them, this is for), who always think that life is out to get them. They think they’re “stuck” working in fast food so they go in with a negative mind and it translates into their work. Other employees see it, bosses see it, and so do the customers. That’s when you end up getting stuck is because you made yourself stay there. You might think there’s no way out. You might think that you’re trying for that management job or you’re going to go to school so why excel where you are, but it’s important to realize how important these times are to your whole development. Plus, good work habits now will follow you through life and give you a better chance of succeeding when you do reach your goals.

Remaining positive, happy, and honestly believing that you’re going places will make those places come to you. Trust me. I have had every reason in my life to let myself fail because some shitty barrier confronted me or I was afraid to fail. Yeah, that sentence doesn’t really make sense, but in honesty, when I told myself I was going to fail so why to try, something inside me refused to believe that. I’ve never had anything “handed to me” as some have tried to tell me, but I don’t let that get me down. I don’t let the negativity of others try and make me think less of myself. Not anymore, anyway. But that’s another story for another time.