Does your job always just feel like a job?

If you have a typical 40-hour work week, that’s almost a quarter of your life working. On top of that, most of us spend way more time than that compulsively checking our email and feeling like we need to constantly be on-call.

Americans are so obsessed with work, nearly half don’t take advantage of all of their vacation time.

But why do we do this? Do we find our work more meaningful if we spend more time at the office or in front of a screen? Most likely not. In fact, people tend to be more productive and more engaged when they work fewer hours.

But if working fewer hours is not your reality, there are still some small but significant things you can do to make your work more meaningful, and even inject it with your own personality.

Work doesn’t have to be a slog, unless you deem it that way. Here are a few quick tips on how to find inspiration at work every single day, no matter what you do.

Felipe Bustillo, Unsplash

1. Change Up Your Routine

Stuck in a rut? Start by physically moving more. Stagnation of the body will inevitably reach your mind, too. Lack of movement, especially when you feel glued to a computer screen all day, can cause irritability, frustration, and even depression.

This doesn’t require a whole workout routine, but if you work at an office for eight hours a day, consider taking at least a walk around the office, or even around the block to get the blood flowing and rejuvenate your senses.

Any amount of exercise, even just fast walking or climbing stairs, can help release endorphins to give you a little euphoric boost.

If you need to, set up a timer to remind you when you should get up and move. There are also some apps that can help you accomplish this goal daily, ones like Stand Up! The Work Break Timer, Stand App, or 100 Office Workouts.

2. Lighten Up

Humor can brighten up the day of any workplace’s greatest cynic—even if that’s you.

Unfortunately, too many people think that it’s their job’s fault, not theirs, that they lack enthusiasm and feel exhausted. But it all comes down to perspective.

Humor and silliness can restore your energy. If you work with people, try to bring some light and laughter in to a meeting or phone call. Don’t be afraid to point out the absurd in the mundane.

As an English teacher, I always try to teach grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation with humor and lightness. It helps keep the student more engaged, and makes my job a whole lot more enjoyable.

3. Know What You Want

Figuring out what you want out of your job can really be the hardest step. It often requires some real soul-digging. Think about what’s important to you, and how can you incorporate that into your work.

One way to do this is to add more variety to your job. Assign yourself new responsibilities, embark on a new project, or bring together your co-workers for some activities or volunteering outside of the workplace.

When you’re faced with a variety of tasks that you’ve helped shape yourself, you’ll be more excited to put your whole self into them.

What could be any more meaningful than that?

About the Author: Julian Garr is an ESL teacher who loves traveling, observing, making music, and enjoying a good cup of coffee. Check him out on YouTube at Big & Small Travel or on Amazon for his Business English e-book.