Many people around the world wake up on Monday mornings and feel they have to deal with the drudgery of work. They don’t look forward to heading into the office or the plant or wherever they work. What people are passionate about and what they do for a living can frequently be very divergent concepts. It doesn’t have to be that way. It’s possible for people to work at what they love doing. Here are some tips to make that happen.

Small shifts can help

It’s not necessary to change occupations to be more fulfilled in the workplace. Sometimes, a slight shift in focus can be beneficial. For example, a financial adviser might feel having to sell overpriced mutual funds is a soul-sucking experience. That same individual might thrive and feel that she’s making a real difference in the lives of people by switching over to a firm that’s based on giving the best advice for its clients rather than selling them what’s best for the firm’s bottom line.

Check what friends are doing

A good tip for finding a career that’s meaningful and enjoyable is asking which friend it would be worth switching jobs with. However, just knowingwhich friend you’d like to switch with is not enough. It’s necessary to ask why that job would be preferable. If it’s all about the money, the friend’s job might be just as unfulfilling.

Ask what about your job you like

Another good question people should ask to figure out which career they’d really like is to ask what part of the job they like the most or which is the most meaningful. Some parts of a job are transferable to other employers. Those employers that have more tasks tied to what a given employee might like doing might be a better fit for someone who’s trying to find his or her niche in life.

Don’t let fear hold you back

Making a career change can be a scary proposition. People tend to appreciate the familiar. However, this mindset can lead to boredom and stagnation. It can also lead to decreased productivity. By finding a career they actually like, it’s possible for employees to look forward to going to work each day. This can lead to increased productivity, job promotions, and higher pay over time. People who love their jobs can have a more fulfilling life on just about every level.