By Randy Grider
Editor
rgrider@eTrucker.com

What’s the key ingredient to happiness when it comes to your job?

Money and benefits? If you answered yes, then you’re probably in the majority. We all want more of both for quality of life and security. A lack of an adequate income (an amount that covers basic living expenses and some personal luxuries) can cause stress that can strain relationships both professionally and personally. But it seems many studies have shown no strong evidence that money alone equals true contentment.

Challenges? If your job doesn’t challenge you every day, it’s easy to become restless and bored. Too many challenges can become overwhelming. Striking a balance between what is obtainable and work overload is a challenge in itself.

Love for the work? If you don’t love the profession you’re in, the job quickly becomes a dread. Since you spend as much time working as you do any single other thing in your life, with the possible exception of sleeping, it’s very important not to spend the majority of your time loathing it.

Rewards and recognition? If your job has neither, you’re on a road to job dissatisfaction. We all want to feel that what we do matters. Sometimes a simple “thank you” can make all the difference in how we feel about our jobs.