“Yes, I’ve made a great deal of dough from my fiction, but I never set a single word down on paper with the thought of being paid for it … I have written because it fulfilled me … I did it for the buzz. I did it for the pure joy of the thing. And if you can do it for joy, you can do it forever.”  ~ Stephen King

So many people are unhappy in their jobs it’s become an epidemic.

The trouble is, this unhappiness spills over into the rest of your life too. And what’s worse, you also miss out on the excitement of doing work that would have made you bubble over with joy.

It’s just not worth it to stay in a job that makes you miserable.

But how can you know what to look for in a job when you do get the courage up to make a move?

Not having these things now is what’s at the core of what’s making you depressed at work, so when it’s time, be sure you go after these elements.

Here are the 5 things to look for in your next job that is sure to make you way happier than this one.

1. Work that resonates with who you are.

If you don’t feel like your work resonates with who you are and what you care about, it’s going to feel like a job. And “job” is synonymous with “a drag”. No one gets up in the morning excited to go to a job. They get excited to do something they care about.

2. Work that allows you to be creative.

That doesn’t mean you have to be an artist or a writer. Just as long as you use your imagination, original ideas, or old ideas in new ways, you’re being creative. More and more, jobs are being taken over by robots. Don’t be a robot. Your creativity sets you apart.

3. Make an impact.

Making a difference doesn’t have to mean changing the whole world. Look for ways to make a difference in your community, in a leadership role or because the company you’ll be working for does something you care about. Stop shuffling papers, making widgets and crunching numbers.

4. Find something exciting.

Is there something that makes you feel like staying up all night like you just drank 2 pots of coffee all by yourself? If you’re that excited about an idea, get to work! Stop being bored and get moving whatever shakes up your world.

5. Connect with others that resonate with your ideas.

What’s cooler than other people believing in the work you believe in too? You don’t have to be alone (in your cubicle) waiting for five o’clock. There are other people out there waiting to do something amazing at work too.

Your work life is still your life. You don’t have to die between the hours of 9 and 5. You can find work that feels like who you are and be happier, more alive, and more successful. It’s out there waiting if you just follow these five ideas

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