When it comes to Americans’ happiness at work, things are not completely as they seem.
As reported by The Wall Street Journal, more than half of American employees report that their jobs are satisfying to them “for the first time since 2005,” according to the Conference Board, a research group.
The publication paints a glossy picture of the things that are going well for workers in the U.S.: namely, the number of people being let go from work being near record lows, and wages and employment going up.
But then it sheds light on the more bleak idea that even though people are happier at work, and some things are going positively, employees may mainly be happy for a pretty sad reason: They’ve lowered their expectations.
In recent years, American workers have weathered things like a decade of bruising job cuts — and data seems to say that people now have evolving perspectives on “what makes a job good.”
Taking all of this into account, here are five tips to reclaim your own happiness at work, no matter what’s going on.
Hit the brakes on worrying with this tool
Put your bad thoughts in their place using mindfulness.
Don’t forget to breathe
When too much is happening at work or things don’t go your way there, paying attention to your breathing in a restroom or doing so during a tough meeting are just a few ways to combat stress.
Remember what’s worked out for you
It’s not all bad. When work has you down, keep track of your victories (big and small) at the day’s end using a list.
Think about your strengths
There will always be someone who has more of what you want or who is more who you want to be, but that shouldn’t stop you from recognizing your own immense value. When insecurity gets the best of you, think about your shining moments, everything you have to offer and what you like about the work that you do.
Stop feeling like an impostor
No, you probably didn’t get your job based on luck alone. Chances are, a variety of factors helped you secure your current position— with your professional achievements among them.
To combat “impostor syndrome,” do things like reminding yourself of what you do well and stop trying so hard to be perfect.
Even though a large segment of American workers claim to be happier at work, everything isn’t working in their favor right now. The best way to address this is to recognize what you can control and take action by fortifying your happiness on your own terms.
READ MORE