5 things you should never take for granted at work

By Mel Sim

And it’s more than just your monthly salary.

We are all so engrossed in this rat race to achieve whatever we want out of our career. If this is you, here’s something to ponder on: Have you ever taken the time to think about what makes your work rewarding? What is it about the 9-to-5 that you should be thankful for yet have taken for granted?

There are many things that can go on that list. Essentially, the things you take for granted at work can easily be something someone else wishes they had in their working life. Being so consumed with work has made us forget about the little things that make work enjoyable. Like these five:

#1 An amazing boss
More often than not, many people quit because of a bad boss. So if you’re one of the lucky ones to have a boss who is awesome, that is something to be grateful for. A great boss is not only a good leader; they inspire, motivate and encourage as well as offer you the opportunity to be a better person. If you have one of these bosses, be thankful you have someone on your team instead of working against you because it can make all the difference between loving your job and loathing it.

#2 The opportunity to learn and excel
One of the best things about working life are the ample opportunities you have to be better at what you do and the chances to learn so that you gain more. If your company is all for self-improvement and empowering its employees, take full advantage of this benefit instead of letting it slip away. Even if it’s not available, you can always make it a point to learn while on the job!

#3 The freedom to explore and express
As a student, there’s always that need to conform and follow the rules. As a working adult, you now have the freedom to express your creativity and explore your capabilities to see how much you can achieve. Your working life is one of the best times for you to uncover whatever talent or skill that is worthy of being further developed. Plus, if you’re working in the right company, you may even be encouraged to think out of the box and if you do well, be rewarded for it. That’s definitely something to look forward to.

#4 Great colleagues
Some workplaces have negative vibes with work mates pitting against each other using office politics. This makes coming to work unpleasant. But if you have colleagues you get along with whether for work or play, it’s something you shouldn’t take for granted as they are hard to come by. Where no one is trying to outdo the other and everyone’s all about team work, then you know you have colleagues to be thankful for.

#5 The fact that you have a job
A very simple fact we often take for granted – that we have a job... bonus if you really enjoy it! There are people out there struggling to find a job that suits their skills and requirements or when the market’s really bad, losing their jobs that could affect their livelihood. So if you have an office to go to this Monday, don’t complain and dread it; instead of think of ways you can make it great and be better at it.

Photo by Headway on Unsplash

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