Most people have times when they feel frustrated, unhappy or unfulfilled at work. Sometimes this can be a sign to search for a new role, however it can be an indication that you may be missing one of the five essentials for a happy, well-balanced life.

The company of other people

We are social beings, so we need positive relationships with other people. We need people who accept us for who we are, people who we can be ourselves around, so we can share our hopes, dreams and concerns. As we help and support other people, we feel valued and needed, as well as gaining a fresh perspective on our issues. Our need for company is what made the Covid-19 lockdowns difficult, and why some people struggle with working from home. Ideally, our need for company will be met through spending meaningful time with friends or family, however it can be partially met through regular interaction with work colleagues or acquaintances. Physical touch is also important for many people, although obviously inappropriate in a work setting.

A sense of control over your life

People tend to feel trapped if they do not feel as if they have a choice about how they spend their time. In reality, we all have a choice, however it can sometimes feel as if this is restricted by certain circumstances. We can choose to stay in our current role, find a new role, work full-time, part-time, or never work again, as long as we accept the impact this will have on our finances and our families. If we have a young family or unwell family member, we can choose to pay someone to look after them which is likely to be expensive, or care for them ourselves, which will significantly reduce our income, but may improve their quality of life.

We need time to do things which we enjoy, such as pursuing our hobbies and interests, and the opportunity to pursue our dreams. In order for us to feel in control of our lives, these things have to be our choice, not the choice of our partner, parents, friends or anyone else.

A sense of purpose

Most people gain a sense of purpose from serving a cause which they are passionate about and which is greater than themselves, this can be a deity or religion, or a cause which helps humanity in some way. Ideally, this sense of purpose will come from something outside their day-to-day role, such as supporting a charity which they are passionate about, either financially or through voluntary work. Many people such as a doctor, nurse or carer may gain a great sense of satisfaction from helping their patients. Almost every role helps people in some way, and it can be helpful to recognise who you help through your role and the impact this has on their lives. This can be particularly helpful for stay at home parents, or carers who may not feel like they are doing much, when in reality they are shaping their families lives.

Many psychologists recognise the importance of participating in activities which are so absorbing that we lose track of time. The more often we feel this sense of engagement, the more likely we are to experience well-being. This may include time with friends, participating in sports, projects or hobbies like painting.

A sense of achievement

We all need to feel as if we are making progress towards achieving our goals. It doesn’t matter whether we have specific goals or whether we are learning something new, mastering a new skill or bettering ourselves in another way. It is important to celebrate our achievements, rather than moving straight on to the next goal.

A healthy lifestyle

A healthy diet – We all know the importance of a healthy diet, however many people find it difficult to find time to cook meals from scratch. Many people have stressful roles, and when we are stressed, cortisol the fight or flight chemical prevents us feeling hungry, and instead many people’s tendency is to reach for junk food.

Plenty of exercise – We all know that exercise is important, however many people have sedentary office based roles which make it difficult to get anywhere near the 10,000 steps (approx 4 1/2 miles) recommendation. Exercise lifts your mood, improves your health, boosts your energy levels and improves sleep.

Would you like professional assistance to help you identify how to integrate these essentials into your life, or to reinvigorate your career? As a Career Coach, I provide individual coaching, either as a one-off session or as part of a career coaching package, as well as CV Writing and Interview Coaching services, please don’t hesitate to contact me.