Happy with Your Work?

Interestingly, many older Americans are happy with their work. Is that the case for you? A recent University of Chicago study shows that though some people may gripe, many workers love their jobs. And, believe it or not, satisfaction increases with age.

The survey found that job satisfaction increases with age, with workers over 65 among the most satisfied. The study shows that 86 percent of the people interviewed between 1972 and 2006 said they were satisfied at their jobs. "Job satisfaction is especially high among those 65 and over because most people working at that age are not those forced to still work due to financial reasons, but those who choose to do so because they like their jobs," Tom W. Smith, Director of the General Social Survey at the National Opinion Center at the University of Chicago, said.

"The most important the factors contributing to more job satisfaction," Smith discovered, "in descending order of importance are holding a job with high prestige, being older, being non-black and earning more from a job."

So if you enter a dream career, why does the honeymoon seem to end? Perhaps its a hellish commute, work that's predictable rather than creative, incompetent bosses, or office politics that tarnishes what you once thought perfect. If that's the case what can you do to turn that around?

Your attitude helps to shape your outcomes. If you go to work thinking it will be dull and monotonous, these turn into self-fulfilling prophecies. Judith Sills, a Philadelphia based clinical psychologist recommends the following strategies, in the Dec issue of Psychology Today to renew the first love you had for your work...

Sills recommends keeping a daily list of five things that were positive at work each day. She terms it "attitude gratitude." Check these out for your list...

Review the sweet spots of your day Notice the moments in your day when you sense you're at your best. Keep bringing flashbacks of these moments to mind.

Cherish social support You and colleagues work together to accomplish goals. Your encouragement and support of others helps you as much or more as it does them.

Appreciate mentoring Many bosses keep giving you tips and strategies to help you grow. Good mentoring is not always easily received, but it is a great boon to your growth. Rejoice your boss cares.

Perks count Think about the bonus, the company dinner, the football tickets or even your vacation time and count these as a plus.

Consider your salary "Certainly a sense of self, a contribution to society, intellectual challenge, and deep visceral thrills make excellent reasons to love your job," Sills says. ""But on the off chance that your day-to-day employment falls short... remember that money is the primary reason adults are at the workplace."

If people make that "attitude adjustment," it's a great way to reboot your brain at work... as Ellen Weber advocates.

What spurs you on to renew the romance of your first love for your work?