7 Ways To Keep Enjoying Your Youth Work Job

I’m sat in Nero with a caramel hot chocolate working though my calendar and emails, thinking to myself “I have a great job!”

Two weeks ago however, I was sat at this same computer, at this same table feeling tired, bored, demotivated and bitter about this very same job.

The circumstances in both instances were very much the same but my attitude and perspective make a universe of difference! There are of course many reasons to love a youthwork job – not least growing young people into holistic disciples of Jesus – but I know just how hard the job part of it can be!

Here’s a few very simple perspective lessons that I’ve picked up that have made an enormous difference to me in my job as a youth worker.

1. I enjoy my job more when I actually do my job.
   No brainer right? Well no. Sometimes I get into places where I do the minimal amount needed to get through my work load and run my projects. I don’t boundary out my time, I don’t create breathing spaces for prep and I don’t approach a work hour as a problem solver. I spend those hours between activities ‘resting and recuperating’ thinking that’s what I need. I’m actually just cultivating demotivation.

The mission is not to make yourself ‘busy’ but to plan time and space to prepare, be creative and be ahead of the game. The view is so much better when you’re not throwing down the tracks in front of you.

2. I enjoy my job more when I take my time off.
   Another apparent no brainier. Well seven years into full time youth work and I still don’t consistently leave my emails closed and work phone silent on my day off. If my days are planned then my days off are not covered in the shadow of the to-do list.It’s the same with holidays. Plan them ahead, enjoy the planning and take them off! It’s amazing how much a week every three months and a day a week can genuinely refresh your energy and your character as well!

“There are of course many reasons to love a youthwork job – not least growing young people into holistic disciples of Jesus”

3. I enjoy my job more when I’m clean & healthy.
   Having a morning hour ritual of up, pray, read news, eat, exercise, shower brush teeth and choose clothes makes me feel a foot taller, more at peace, more full of confidence and much more able to tackle spontaneous problems. Having a good meal in the day and developing good sleep pattens too are well worth the effort!
4. I enjoy my job more when I enjoy my wife more.
   Steady now… If my God-Family-Home-Job priority train is on track and I’m giving good time to date nights, random chats, food together and family problem solving then my life priorities and perspectives simply feel more together.
5. I enjoy my job more when I cultivate gratitude.
   The most important thing I’ve ever learned about prayer is to ‘be thankful in all circumstances’ (Col. 3:17). Thankfulness simply breeds good perspective. It’s the yeast that makes the prayer dough rise. The more I thank God the more I become thankful – which is an absolute game-changer in my attitude towards life and work.
6. I enjoy my job more when I serve more.
   There’s usually (not always) a strong correlation between grumpiness in my job and a strong inward focus. Finding small ways to serve and improve the lot of others redirects that focus and gives me a much clearer perspective on my own condition. Serving with a thankful heart cultivates joy – period.
7. I enjoy more job more when I enjoy God more.
   Last, but obviously not least. The more I come into contact with the living God through meditation, worship, fellowship and reflection the more my holistic delight as a person grows and covers everything. ‘Delight yourself in the LORD and He will give you the desires of your heart’ (Psalm 37:4).