Self Improvement...

Finding and keeping a job that you love can be very tough over the long term, but studies show that those who are happy at work feel more fulfilled in other areas of their life.

Most people say going to the office day after day is a chore, simply a way to pay the bills. Only about 10 percent of all working Americans love their jobs, even though that's where we spend most of our waking hours.

Very few people take as much time to plan where they're going with their career, as they do to plan on where they're going on vacation. People go on vacation, they say, 'What am I good at, what do I enjoy, what part of the country would I most like to be in'. People don't take that amount of time to sit down and plan out where their career is going.

If you find yourself dreading every day at work, uncover what's making you miserable. According to the book, Love Your Job, follow these steps. Ask yourself, 'What don't I like about my job? Is it the industry, the company, the money, my boss?' 'Am I being challenged enough?' Find ways to contribute more. Go beyond your call of duty. This may help you feel more fulfilled.

Here are a few of the tactics that have helped people hold on to their jobs in the face of major cutbacks in their company:

• Volunteer to help others in the department who need assistance.

• Be a team player. Seeming to be only out for yourself is frowned upon.

• Never complain about your job, your boss or your coworkers. Be cheerful.

• Let people know you like your job.

• Never refuse more work or special projects even if they require putting in extra hours to learn something outside your area of expertise.

It could also happen that you used to love your job. It was challenging. It was fun. You looked forward to going to work. Now you drag yourself out of bed every morning and watch the clock all day - and the days are getting longer and longer.

So how are you going to admit to anyone, even yourself, that in this job-poor economy, you're bored with a perfectly good one? How do you explain that you just don't care anymore if you're No. 1 in the department, or if the department is No. 1 in the company, or if the company sells more widgets this year than last?

Dr. Paul Powers, co-author of a book called 'Love Your Job' has three basic bits of advice for those in the work force:

• Take control and responsibility. The days of doing a good job at work and being rewarded (by management) are gone. Senior management is concerned with the organization's survival, not making the job right for you. That has to be your job. Do well in what you do and plan your career.

• Be clear about setting goals. Put yourself on a track and plot a course for improving your life.

• Gather new input all the time. Talk to people, network. If you're standing in a line, ask people what they do and if they enjoy it. Look at people in an office or even in the supermarket. You can tell the ones who enjoy what they do and the ones who are just there to get a paycheck.

OK, you've tried everything and you still aren't happy. Plan B, look for a new job. First, figure out what your skills are. Perhaps, more importantly, decide what you enjoy doing most. Aim high. Don’t let fears of failure or success stop you. Establish contacts. Talking to friends and friends of friends is often one of the best ways to land a job. Speak to a career counselor, and, finally, you're never too old to choose a new path.