Greg wasn’t happy at work. It wasn’t that he hated his job or anything like that. His co-workers were fine and he didn’t mind the type of work he did. In fact, he thought he did it pretty well. Of course, he wanted more money, but who didn’t?

No, something else was bothering him. At some basic level he simply didn’t enjoy coming to work. Whatever excitement or sense of accomplishment he used to get had been replaced by a lack of motivation.

Greg’s issue was a common one. Employees around the world sometimes lose sight of what makes their work worthwhile. They get run down, burnt out and de-motivated. At times like these it can be difficult for anyone to enjoy work and find the old levels of motivation and energy.  

To help Greg and the millions like him, it is necessary to look at the underlying causes. Why do any of us enjoy work? And can we reignite those causes in our own work environment? The answer is yes, there are at least six different reasons why we enjoy work, ignoring money, of course.

Inner accomplishment

The remarkable time and energy some people put in to their work can only be understood as an “inner drive” – they simply want to achieve that goal. Seeking a personal sense of accomplishment is natural and can be harnessed every day by millions of workers and employers. It can be described as “taking pride in one’s work” or a sense that “this is what I was meant to do.” Whether the objectives are short-term or long-term, making progress toward a goal makes all of us feel good.

The greater good

Many of us are also motivated by a sense of community. The feeling that we are part of something larger and that life isn’t just about our own individual needs and wants. This particular joy and peace is experienced by millions as they volunteer for church or service club tasks, but it can also be encouraged in the workplace. For example, many Asian/Eastern companies reinforce this message. Clearly many Americans are also motivated by community considerations. Perhaps Greg could be encouraged to reframe his circumstances and see how he is contributing to the greater good.

Personal relationships

Many get enjoyment from the individual relationships they experience at work. It helps them look forward to each day. The laughter, the camaraderie, the forgiveness and even the occasional stress are all something they enjoy and know they wouldn’t want to live without. But not everyone is the same, and certainly we’re not all our best self every single day. Enlightened managers respect this basic human need to connect with others and allow it, if not encourage it, in their workplace. Has Greg’s manager given him the opportunity to connect with others? Has he diagnosed that this is something important to him?

Sense of team

Similarly, some people enjoy a special sense of completeness and wholeness by experiencing teamwork. In the workplace, many employers work hard to encourage this shared identity by conducting internal PR and messaging campaigns. For quieter teammates, a sense of camaraderie might provide an extremely important opportunity to connect and feel like they belong. Does Greg feel he’s part of a team? How much team spirit has his boss created?

Physical exertion

For some, a special sense of joy comes from physical exertion, and the absence of it makes any job less appealing. It just doesn’t feel like work if they aren’t breaking a sweat or doing battle with the weather. This is partly a product of socialization and might be tied up with what “work” means to them. Modern day psychology reaffirms the benefits from physical labor. We all know how endorphins can give us a slight high and everyone knows about the stress-management benefits from working out. Is getting physical a way for Greg to battle his lack of motivation? If his job is sedentary, does his employer offer a “get in shape” program?

Mental challenges

Finally, a great many of us enjoy the special mental feeling that comes from exercising our creativity or satisfying our curiosity. The small euphoria that comes from developing something new or conquering a complex problem can be a big part of enjoying work for some. Does Greg’s boss know whether he’s incredibly bored or frustrated by his tasks? Is it time for a promotion, or perhaps a little job engineering to offer a chance at being creative?

“Why” is the answer to “How”

So, what can be done more generally to help employees enjoy their work? Or what can Greg or any employee do themselves? The answer is simple: treat the cause, not the symptoms. Instead of worrying about symptoms like aggressive behavior or poor attitude, employees and employers can create a more enjoyable work environment by directly addressing one or more of these common denominators. Why not casually interview Greg about whether he feels connected to his fellow co-workers? Does he have any friends at work? Why not ask “Is this job challenging enough?” or “Would you like the opportunity to be more creative?”

Stepping back and reflecting on each of these six motivators can guide any manager or employee toward a more enjoyable work place. There is hope for Greg in the application of modern day psychology to the workplace.