We spend most of our lifetime working, and although that may sound depressing at first, it is how it should be. For we aren’t meant to simply consume and stagnate, but to create and contribute.

However, it’s been estimated that over 80 percent of people don’t like their jobs. They go to work miserable, disgruntled, and dissatisfied. Now, that is sad.

There are no doubt various reasons for this, but I do believe their is hope. It may require a job change, if possible, but a change in our perspective is most helpful.

The following exercise is called, Take 5, and I have personally applied it and shared it with members on my team. It’s helpful because we often struggle at work when we feel like we are not meeting expectations, insecure about our contributions, and/or aren’t stimulated and challenged by what we do. So, this reflective exercise is helpful.

It starts with listing at least 5 Beliefs we have about how our job can help others and contribute to solving problem(s) we are passionate about. Sounds big, but most anything we do actually creates a ripple effect and can make a greater impact than what we may initially assume.

Second, list 5 Benefits, or strengths and skills we possess that make us uniquely effective in our role. These strengths might be empathy for others, specific experiences, talents, or gifts like service, teaching, etc.

Lastly, consider 5 Behaviors, or actions we can take in order to leverage and maximize our benefits in order to propel the beliefs we have about our job. In other words, what can we begin doing differently and/or proactively in our jobs to make things happen. This is basically our action plan.

By “taking 5,” and investing some time to think and consider what we do and why we do it helps us see the value of the positions we hold. It also helps us realize how we might be uniquely gifted for our roles, and discover new ways we can begin leveraging our roles to make a difference.

It may also help clarify the fact that we are in the wrong job, and potentially identify a position we actually have passion for and can benefit through our unique talents, skills, and gifts.

All of this begins in prayer of course, and I believe God is committed to help us live out the plans He has for us (Psalm 90:17). This includes our jobs.

Far too often we simply jump into things without much thought, or decide to invest our lives to something simply for money. However, no amount of money, or job can fulfill us. Only a relationship with Jesus Christ can do this.

Thus, job satisfaction doesn’t have to allude the vast majority of working people. Ultimately, the Bible has much to say about work. Working unto God, not man is a big one. Far to often we find we get trapped working for man and that leaves us empty.

It might be doing a job because someone else directed us that way, like our parents, or we do it simply for monetary reasons; but there is always opportunity to work unto God when we take the time to pray about what we do, and invest the time to consider how and what we do can be used for greater Kingdom impact.

This gives purpose to our daily duties and motivates us to a greater cause – elevating our spirits and motivations when Mondays come back around.