Forget the pay and benefits — just for a moment — and consider the other positives that come from work.
It might be hard to come up with some at the moment, especially if you’re having a bad day or you’re not in love with your job at the moment, but there are several positive attributes of going to a steady job on a regular basis. Consider the following:
It’s a great way to make friends.
Remember how, as a kid, you were nervous on the first day of school because you didn’t know anyone, or you weren’t sure if your friends would still be there? But then you get there and everyone is feeling the same combination of nerves and excitement? Work can be the same: It’s a place where everyone has at least one thing in common. You spend a lot of time together over the course of the week and you can find people who at first might just be good colleagues, then work buddies, then actual friends. As adults, it can be really difficult to make new friends anywhere; work helps make that a little easier.
Work can improve your physical well-being.
When you get to work in the morning, where do you park? Do you take the elevator or the stairs? Do you work in a location where there are sidewalks or trails to walk during breaks? Going to work, at the very least, is a reason to get out of the house. It’s an opportunity to get some movement into your day. If you work in a physically demanding job, or one that even occasionally requires some lifting or walking, that contributes to your overall health. If you can go for a walk on your break, that’s an excellent mental health benefit that also provides the opportunity for movement. And don’t discount the availability of a water cooler — not only does this provide a convenient location for chatter and catching up on the latest TV gossip, it boosts hydration, which is important to overall health!
Work can provide a source of purpose and self-esteem.
There is satisfaction to be found in a job well done. Even if you’re not always recognized for it, when you know you did a good job on a project, or met a deadline, or completed a difficult task, take a moment to congratulate yourself. You did it! There might have been a time when you were new on the job, or maybe when a project was first introduced, where you might not have been confident you could accomplish what you just did. That’s awesome! Having work to do and taking pride in it can be a great boost to your mental well-being; it means you have a reason to get out of bed in the morning and something to do, something that needs your personal time and attention and care. That can be a big help.
Work can help you learn new things — not just about the job.
When you start a new job, there are new tasks and skills to learn. That can feel intimidating, but it’s also important as it helps keep your brain exercising and fresh. But that’s not all your brain learns at work. You can learn about people, about cultures and backgrounds; you can learn through stories from coworkers about other companies, maybe even learn about far-off destinations when sharing vacation and life stories. And, not to be diminished, the ability to learn new skills at work is also important. The brain needs to learn new things to remain engaged and active, especially as we age.
And then there are the actual perks of a job.
Many jobs are tied to access to health insurance, or policies that are a little cheaper than having to buy it on your own. Health insurance is a critical component of being and staying healthy — when you don’t have to worry (as much) about going to see a doctor, or whether prescriptions are covered, or whether you can afford to be sick or take a sick child or relative to see a doctor, that’s an enormous psychological weight lifted off your shoulders. Having sick days to use, in which you’ll still get paid for taking time off to recover from an illness, also helps lower stress.
Unhappy in your current job? See what Sterling Personnel has available!
The paycheck you receive from working a steady job is wonderful. It helps you pay the bills, maybe put a little aside for a rainy day, or a vacation, or some other expense or treat. But the benefits of work, of having a reason to get up in the morning and somewhere to go, with something to do, are not to be dismissed or sold short. If you like what you do, that adds to your quality of life overall!
If you’re between jobs and looking for help finding a new one, or aren’t getting as much enjoyment out of your current position, Sterling Personnel can help. Take a look at the positions we’re looking to fill and then give us a call. Even if you don’t see something today, our experts can help you find a good fit! Call Sterling Personnel today and let’s get started.
