The secret to a happy work life

Learning to love your job again isn't just settling for doing the same thing day in and day out. You need to set goals and continue to grow. The good news: You can experience several careers under one employer. Consider these steps to help you change jobs at your current practice:

Paige Phillips, RVT

• Define happiness. Ask yourself these questions to help identify your interests:

• Do I enjoy telling others about my job?

• Would I apply for my current job again?

• Do I get excited about new projects at work?

• Is my salary appropriate for the work I do?

• Do I look forward to going to work?

Once you've figured out what makes you tick, you'll have a better idea of the path you need to take to get to happy.

• Plan for success. Professionals are like athletes: You're a member of a team and you should play to win. If you slouch onto the baseball field thinking you're going to lose the game, you probably will. So march into work with your head up and demand excellence from yourself.

• Change your attitude. Remember that working your way up can be a humbling experience. You may be asked to clean kennels or work odd hours until another position opens up. Put on a happy face, and envision where you'd like to end up in your practice. Managers will notice your positivity and undoubtedly reward you for it.

• Confront your concerns. Don't stand around and complain. Deal with your concerns constructively. If you're unhappy with how your practice handles reminders, for instance, come up with a better way. Then present your ideas to a manager.

• Pave your way. Employees often wait for their bosses to approach them with new opportunities. Instead, go after those possibilities by experimenting within the boundaries of your position. For instance, a technician could offer to take over the doctor's surgical callbacks.

If you've done everything you can to find happiness in your current job and you're still floundering, it may be time for a change. But try to avoid leaving a position solely because you feel stuck in a rut. Be honest with your employers about your goals and concerns. They won't be able to help you fix the problem until they know what it is.