Everyone has been made for some particular work, and the desire for that work has been put in every heart.” Rumi And it’s not just the satisfaction of completing a task – studies have shown that having pride in your work can actually lead to better outcomes for our wellbeing. Martin Luther King Jr.’s quote is an ever-present reminder that the path to achieving our goals is hardly an easy one. While it may seem as though you keep spinning your wheels in your attempts to get to your next step in life, don’t mistake this struggle as stagnation. Whatever your life’s work is, do it well. A man should do his job so well that the living, the dead, and the unborn could do it no better.” Martin Luther King, Jr. Do you feel understood by your manager? Most people in your situation don't. When we feel stressed, burned out, or at odds with co-workers, we tend to feel isolated and resentful because our struggles are going unrecognized. To be clear, being autonomous at work does not mean you are entirely independent; you deserve a compassionate listener to help you through adversity and move forward. However, if you are unable to get the understanding you desire, don't give up. Try to show that you're sympathetic to how your co-workers see things and you may get some empathy in return.

Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do.” Steve Jobs It is not in doing what you like, but in liking what you do that is the secret of happiness.” James Barrie Being proud to do our job is so important for our mental health and it’s extremely rewarding. Whether we just flat out love what we do for work, we’re changing the world, we’re working for a great company, we’re helping others or we’re making a difference, then we deserve to feel pride in our work.I believe you are your work. Don’t trade the stuff of your life, time, for nothing more than dollars. That’s a rotten bargain.” Rita Mae Brown Although it may be difficult to do so, consider having a conversation with your manager or human resources representative so you can get the autonomy support that you need. If this is not possible, take notice of the aspects of your job that you may have forgotten. It’s easy to miss the progress we’ve made if we’re not looking for it. Though growth takes time, it’s happening whether you realize it or not. Taking pride in your work isn’t just a way to stay motivated to keep doing work. Finding joy in what you do each day will contribute to your overall happiness, both inside and outside the workplace.

Don't assume that you have no meaningful choices in your job. Carefully examine your day-to-day routine and you may find options that you've come to take for granted. For example, if you are asked to write a report, you may be able to choose the best way to format or present it, which gives you freedom to be creative and cater to your own preferences. Even with mandatory tasks, you can let your opinions shine through. Feeling good about yourself will always give you more motivation to get the job done. Whatever job you’re doing or task you have to complete, remember that you’re a valuable asset, and you’re well on your way to achieving your goals.If you fail to search for happiness in life’s little moments, you’ll soon see that life feels like an endless stream of responsibilities and stress. While work can be stressful, you shouldn’t let anxiety make you miserable. Humans are good at specific things. What comes naturally may not seem like a special skill, but it is. It’s just you and what you’ve always been good at.” –Stephen Jay Gould I like to see a man proud of the place in which he lives. I like to see a man live so that his place will be proud of him.” Abraham Lincoln Keep passion from fading by regularly reminding yourself of your accomplishments. Taking pride in the work you’ve done will reenergize your zeal and zest for life. 9. “Human progress isn’t inevitable or automatic. Every step you take towards your goal requires struggle, suffering, and sacrifice. These are the tireless efforts of dedicated individuals.” –Martin Luther King Jr.