A large proportion of our time is spent working, and being in a job you don’t enjoy is simply not an option. Life is too short, and there are plenty of ways to get out of a bad situation, even if it’s been going on for a while. Whether or not you’re thinking of leaving, you can improve your working days right now with some help from ChatGPT.
Use these prompts to enjoy your job more. Open up your favorite large language model (LLM), paste it in, and personalize the text. See what comes out, prompt further to refine, and take the response to your team or manager for workplace wellbeing and happiness on a whole new level.
How to prompt ChatGPT to be happier at work
Negotiate a raise
You know you’re worth more, but somehow your boss doesn’t. Either you’ve not done enough to prove your value, or you’ve not communicated what you want. For you to stay working in your role, something needs to change. If you’re unconfident in your approach or not sure how to structure the request, use this prompt to spark some ideas.
Edit the square brackets and paste into ChatGPT: “Help me craft a persuasive argument to negotiate a raise with my employer. Provide me with key points to highlight my value and contributions to the company. Here’s some more information about my role: [include more detail about when you joined, what you do, your current salary, why you exceed expectations, how you create value for your employer].”
Get noticed for your work
Feeling like your hard work is going unnoticed isn’t a nice feeling. When public praise seems to pass you by, and no one realizes how much you do, you can call upon ChatGPT to redress the balance. Explain your predicament and ask for answers. It will come out with strategies you could try to get back at the forefront of your colleagues’ minds, for the benefit of your career.
Try this prompt out for size: “I want to get noticed at work and increase my job satisfaction. Can you provide me with practical strategies and tips to stand out among my colleagues, showcase my skills, and make a positive impact on the organization? Here’s an example: [describe something you achieved that you weren’t adequately recognized for].”
Work remotely
Perhaps you successfully worked from home during 2020-21 but you’ve been dragged back to the office against your wishes. Now you have a laborious commute, regular interruptions, and you can’t wear your comfy leggings. You know you could do your job better without being in the office, but your boss isn’t convinced. Laying out the argument might make them understand, and here’s how you use ChatGPT to do just that.
Explain your situation for a response that you can present: “I want to enjoy my job more by working remotely. Can you assist me in creating a convincing proposal to present to my manager, outlining the benefits of remote work and how it can positively impact my productivity and job satisfaction? Here are more specifics to include: [explain when and how you successfully worked away from an office in the past, and what you achieved. Include any other information ChatGPT should weave into a response].”
Work a flexible schedule
Maybe everyone you work with is an early bird, but you’re a night owl. You’re yawning away in those early morning huddles but you have a burst of inspiration when the clock strikes 7pm. Or maybe you want to work out in the middle of the day, take naps in the afternoon, or get up well before sunrise. Either way, the working pattern suitable for you is probably not 9-5. Here’s how to start a conversation with your employer about mixing it up.
Use ChatGPT to generate a great email with this prompt: “I’m seeking a more flexible schedule to enhance my work-life balance. Can you help me draft an email to my line manager, explaining the advantages of a flexible schedule and how it can contribute to my overall job enjoyment and performance? I currently [explain your current hours and the restrictions] but I’d like to [explain your desired outcome and why it’s optimal for the company].”
Make friends at work
It’s not always easy to make friends at work. Maybe cliques were already formed when you joined. Perhaps you missed out on some outings and now the in-jokes go over your head. Or the others have something in common that just isn’t your vibe. Ask ChatGPT for ideas on how you can progress your professional relationships to secure some allies. At the very least, a lunch partner or two. There will be something you can do that can help you build a better rapport with those you work with.
Use this prompt to get suggestions: “Having good relationships with my colleagues is important for enjoying my job. Can you give me advice on how to make friends at work and build positive connections with my coworkers? Some further context is: [add further context about your role and colleagues, the company itself. and what you want to achieve].”
Help you get motivated
Sometimes your business mojo can feel hard to find. After an especially taxing sprint or a few weeks with longer hours, you might be feeling burned out and underwhelmed, snoozing your alarm clock instead of springing out of bed. When that happens, change your habits before they become permanent. Ask ChatGPT to help find a new way forward you can try.
Use this prompt to get ideas: “Sometimes, I struggle with motivation at work. Can you provide me with effective ways to stay motivated and find fulfillment in my job, even during challenging times? For additional context, [add more information about why you’re lacking motivation] and I’m looking to achieve [what you want the outcome to be].”
Quit without burning bridges
Perhaps you’ve decided that this job isn’t for you, but you want to leave the door open should you want to return. If you’re handing in your resignation, do it in a dignified way. Stick to your notice period, give ample time for your replacement to be hired, and be as helpful as possible when handing over tasks. Before that happens, there’s a meeting and a letter. Use ChatGPT to craft them and avoid cutting off future options.
“Leaving my job is a big decision, but I want to do it gracefully without burning any bridges. Can you first give me a structure for a meeting with my boss and then compose a resignation letter that expresses gratitude, professionalism, and a desire to maintain positive relationships with them?”
How ChatGPT can help you enjoy your job more
These prompts can help you negotiate a raise or secure a better working arrangement. They can help you build rapport with colleagues and get recognition where it’s due. There is no reason to not enjoy your job, so take action to improve it on your terms. No one else will do this for you, use ChatGPT to take control of your career and your life.