1. Write your dream job description

“This is a great exercise I do with most of my clients,” she says. “Ask yourself: what would a fulfilling job look like? What do you love to do that you want to do more of? What are your favourite parts of this current role? What do you hate doing that you’d like to do less of? Lean into what gets you excited and makes you feel good.”

2. Think about how you can bring aspects of your dream job into your current role or next step

Now you’re clear on what it is you do love about the job, think about how you can better fit these aspects into your current role. “Does your list indicate that greater leadership responsibilities are something you’d like to work towards? If so, ask your boss how you can take on a more managerial role. Does your desire for community indicate that you might want to become the social secretary and work to improve the office culture?” asks Grint. If there isn’t room for movement in your current role, you can also use this as a checklist for future roles.

3. Create a plan to get rid of what you don’t want

Next, it’s time to take action. Before you go to your manager, think about how you can make space to do more of the things you’ve just identified you want to do more of. “That’s where we look at what we can delegate, automate or outsource; from the list of things you want to do less of, what would you recommend delegating to someone more junior, automating via an AI platform or outsource to a supplier?” Grint asks.

4. Take the proposal to your manager

“Now we take this proposal to your manager and demonstrate your problem-solving ability, which is a key leadership skill. You’ve identified a problem (you don’t love what you do), you’ve taken the time to reflect on the possible solutions (redesign your job) and you’ve come up with creative ways to make it possible (delegate, automate or outsource)” she shares.

“Many of us can identify that we’re unhappy at work, but we might blame others for not being where we want to be. I believe it’s time to take back our power and proactively take the steps to redesign our jobs. A total role change might not always be available, but a good manager should want to work with you to ensure you’re doing – and feeling – your best at work.”

Does job satisfaction really matter? Research says doing a job you don’t love can have a serious impact on your health