3. Finding a job to enjoy
Many people enjoy their jobs, even work that isn’t to everyone’s taste!
This exercise is about being aware of what you like to do and which skills you will need to find a good job. Being aware of what you are good at is a first step in getting a job you really want to do, as opposed to just getting any old job.
Exercise: Answer the following questions on your worksheet.
- What activities make you lose track of time? Eg DIY, researching holidays or looking for online bargains, shopping, arts and crafts, cleaning, etc
- What would you do with your time if you had all the money you could ever want?
- If you had to go on a course, what would you choose to learn?
- What do you enjoy doing so much that it seems effortless?
- If you could be paid for doing anything, what would it be?
- Name some things you have done which have given you a real sense of pleasure and satisfaction.
Exercise: Read over and reflect on your answers to the questions above. Can you see which things you’re most willing to work hard at? Are there any things you enjoy that some people think of as work? Write your answers on your worksheet.
Some things that can make a job enjoyable:
- Colleagues you can get on with.
- A bit of a challenge: the work is not too hard, but it’s not too easy either.
- Opportunities to learn new things and have new experiences.
- Sometimes, a job is enjoyable if you know it’s only for a limited amount of time.
- Feeling like you’re doing something worthwhile.