A recent survey performed by Right Management, part of the ManpowerGroup, shows just 21% of workers think their job is rewarding and gratifying.

Forty-nine percent of people surveyed think they have an unrewarding job which saps their energy. The other survey participants stated they work to enjoy their lives outside of their job.

However, changing your job is no guarantee you’ll be happier at work. All jobs have their challenges.

Here are some tips on how to make the job you already have more rewarding:

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• Combine the concept of work with living: You don’t have to wait until you leave the office to begin your life. What can you do? Think of the office as part of your social life: Make friends (see below).  Also, take a personal interest in making the company more successful. Taking ownership of your job and making it a part of your “real” life will make you both better at what you do and happier—because people enjoy doing what they’re good at.
• Set goals at work: Setting goals increases your motivation, keeps you focused on work, and eliminates boredom. Achieving goals gives you a sense of empowerment.
• Find significance in your job: Why would the elimination of your job harm the company and its employees?
• Get to know your coworkers better: Enjoying coworkers is a strong indication of a happy, positive work experience. Caring about the lives of your coworkers makes the day more fulfilling. Also, sharing your feelings and experiences with friends helps minimize stress.
• Make friends with positive people at work: Negative people easily have a negative impact on your mindset.
• Thank your coworkers when appropriate: Showing gratitude helps you focus on the positives at work.
• Be self-motivated: Seeking acknowledgement in some way from an employer or other employees often creates disappointment. Consider working hard for your own sense of satisfaction.
• Ask for help: If your workload is too heavy, ask your boss for help and additional resources. Often bosses don’t realize an employee is overloaded with work until the employee mentions it. Being overwhelmed with work easily leads to job dissatisfaction.
• Work efficiently: Working at a comfortable pace helps you enjoy the process. Feeling hurried causes stress. Efficiently managing your workload increases your job satisfaction.
• Eat properly: According to health experts, a heathy diet and being properly hydrated throughout the workday makes a big difference in your attitude and energy level.
• Schedule your work wisely: Work on the most difficult tasks when your brain is functioning well. You probably have specific times of the day when you’re more productive.
• Think of your job as a career: If you think of your current job as a step on a career path, you’ll want to advance in the company. Now, you have a very good reason to work hard and ask for additional responsibilities. You’ll be motivated to become one of company’s best employees. You won’t spend time watching the clock waiting for the boring workday to end; you’ll be thinking “I only have a few hours left to meet my goals for the day.”