Work. Love it or loathe it, it’s a non-negotiable for most of us. From receptionists working in high-rise buildings to station workers tending livestock in rural regions, there are so many different ways to make a living you’d think we could all find something that made us happy.

But, if statistics are anything to go by, a large portion of the population feels unhappy in their workplace. A poll by seek.com.au, for example, indicated only 29 per cent of Australians are happy in their jobs, while research by yougov.com found that a quarter of people working in the UK are disillusioned with their jobs.

You can, however, enjoy your job. Just ask Joanna Penn, the author of How to Enjoy your Job. In her book, Penn provides strategies to help improve your working life. Here, Penn offers five career resolutions you can start on today:  

1)    Reduce work stress levels. People’s jobs are the single biggest cause of stress. Identify what is stressing you about work, and aim to reduce or remove it from your job entirely. Life is too short to be miserable.

2)    Work part-time or work from home one day a week. Technology enables people to do a portion of their work from home. With broadband internet and phone access, you can do your administration tasks, attend phone conference meetings and avoid the commute. You can get more done in less time, and feel greater job satisfaction as well as seeing your family. Working four days a week may also be attractive to companies in this economic climate, if you can afford it yourself. Ask your manager for the opportunity and demonstrate the value for them.

3)    Work proper hours and take leave. Somehow people have lost the idea of a 40-hour work week. Think how much time you spend commuting, working through lunch, working weekends, answering work emails at home and skipping leave for work commitments. Aim to reduce these and reclaim your time in 2009.

4)    Make more money. Finances are worrying for many in this economic climate so making more money in your job is a common goal. If you want to ask for a raise, demonstrate your value to the company first and explain why you deserve it. You might also look at ways you can make money outside work. For example a small part-time business or clearing your clutter and selling it on eBay can help bring in money each month. 

5)    Change jobs. Many of these goals may culminate in deciding to change your job in 2009, whether this is within your workplace, industry or starting something entirely new. Update your resume and brush up your interview skills, pump up your confidence and go get the job of your dreams.

HowToEnjoyYourJob.com