Skip to main content Skip to bottom nav

How can I feel more appreciated at work?

17 Answers
Last Updated: 03/31/2020 at 12:24pm
1 Tip to Feel Better
United States
Moderated by

Amanda Wiginton, LMFT

Marriage & Family Therapist

Now is the time to make a change! Professional, empathic, and compassionate therapist waiting to help you make healthy life changes.

Top Rated Answers
Anonymous
January 17th, 2015 1:38pm
We all want to feel more appreciated at work - you aren't alone here! Have more confidence in yourself and get yourself out there, lay claim to your hard work (within earshot of your colleagues!). If you're having a problem in the workplace, you can always raise the issues with your manager. Chances are, someone else is experiencing the same things too.
hwwof
June 15th, 2015 12:32am
Key words here: " I feel". At the end of the day, it's all about how you perceive the situation. Sometimes work can be quite strenuous and we want some acknowledgement, but as the saying goes: “When you do things right, people won’t be sure you’ve done anything at all.”
positiveUnicorns26
January 31st, 2015 12:23am
Here are five suggestions if you feel you’re not getting the recognition you deserve: 1. Gauge the situation You may not be the only one at your firm who feels undervalued. Ask your colleagues if they feel the same way, but be discreet. Refrain from being negative or casting blame on anyone, especially your boss. News through the grapevine travels fast, and you don’t want to make the situation worse for yourself. However, you can keep your ears open. You may find that your coworkers are in the same boat and that showing appreciation for employees is simply not your employer’s strength. 2. Do a gut check If you do find you’re the only one who’s unhappy, identify what would make you feel more appreciated: Do you want a raise or public recognition? Or just a pat-on-the-back email from the boss? Whatever it is, make sure that it’s realistic to expect, especially from your boss, and that your desire for it is emotionally healthy. You may discover you need to address some personal insecurity. Think about your job and why you’re doing it. It should be for the work itself or for what the work provides for you, not necessarily for praise. 3. Discuss the problem True, talking with your boss about how you feel unappreciated is difficult. Make it easier and more productive by staying composed and not casting blame. Speak for yourself, not your colleagues, and be objective as you tell your boss how you feel. Don’t turn it into a therapy session. Instead, discuss what you have accomplished and what feedback you’ve received. Then, ask how the two of you can solve the problem by coming up with ways to make you feel more engaged at work. 4. Keep your boss up-to-date You may be your own worst enemy. If your boss and colleagues don’t know what you’re doing, how do you expect them to show appreciation for your hard work? Make sure your boss knows what you’re working on and let people know when you complete a big project. But don’t come across as someone who craves attention. If you feel that no one appreciates you, think about when you’ve taken the time to appreciate others. Help create a positive corporate culture. 5. Be patient Not many of us always receive the appreciation we feel we deserve. Be patient. Although you grind away each day at your job, you boss and colleagues are working hard, too. Try not to do anything drastic on a whim when you feel unappreciated. Drastic measures are often seen as acts of desperation and can quickly backfire. Continue to work hard and recognize when others do the same.
SirJayalot
March 31st, 2020 12:24pm
Many of us tend to focus on what went wrong. Even if five of the six reports that were worked on received praise, we will focus on the one that we received critical feedback on. Instead, make an effort to look for what went well at the end of each day, week, and month. Make a list and post it where you can easily see it. Not only will it give you a positive boost, but it will increase your ability to notice the positive, keeping your mind from going to the negative. It will also increase your ability to intrinsically motivate yourself, rather than waiting for outside validation. Look at this as a way of increasing your personal and professional value, which is independent of any job or person. Remember that all highly successful people have developed the ability to motivate themselves. Real fulfillment and satisfaction come from within, not from outside validation.
janewayalpha1
January 21st, 2020 10:42pm
We all want to feel that what we do at work is important and be validated for the hard work we do. It can be difficult knowing that you may not feel as appreciated as you should at work. But try to keep in mind that you are doing all you can each and every day and that you should be proud of what you accomplish and the foundation that you are building at your workplace. Once you look within yourself, you'll see that you are unstoppable and you are enough at your place of work. You are appreciated at work because you are appreciating what you do for yourself.
Sunshinephoenix
July 3rd, 2018 8:29pm
Start valuing ur work, learn to appreciate how you do things at work,focus on all your plus points and be proud of the way you do your best every day, you will begin to feel more appreciated when you start focusing on doing your best more and more day by day, at the end of the day it will give you more confidence and more self esteem at work and you will feel happy and complete at your workplace
sandybelle16
August 8th, 2016 8:58am
make the effort work as hard as everyone else and be a team player don't try to outshine others. And remember to be nice.
Maheen
May 10th, 2016 6:26pm
Hey... How canyou feel more appreciated at work... So here you have be confident first.. That you have full confidence on the work that you are doing.. Try to do different work, add some creativity n colors to the work. It will impress other.. Always welcome other, share your ideas with your fellows it will good for you as well as for the organizational benefits... Do your work sincerely and in a progressive manner... If a person want to do he will definitely do it... If a person want to achieve then he would definitely achieve it one day...👍👍 But a little effort required... So never be hopeless... This world is for us try to live it in a lovely manner...😃
Greatlistener87
- Expert in Work Stress
March 14th, 2016 1:36am
You have to take what you can get. Sometimes people do appreciate you but they do not know how to show it. If you love your job and appreciate how you are growing then I think you are in the right direction.
sunnycappuccino
March 20th, 2016 4:51am
To get more appreciation at work it's important to maintain the channels of communication with your superiors ... bosses like people who show up on time, keep in touch with them, are ready to take on responsibilities , and show enthusiasm and good follow through....
Anonymous
January 19th, 2016 6:33pm
Work to your full potential, and give to your job all the attention it needs. With showing performance and taking on more, appreciation and respect will follow.
KristenHR
July 4th, 2016 1:03pm
In my experience, the more I appreciate others and the opportunities in my position at work, the more others appreciate me. Mostly though, appreciate yourself and the great job you do - don't expect others to appreciate you - do it yourself and know you are valuable and worthwhile to this company, and you are an asset.
LauraMSW87
September 7th, 2015 1:21pm
I've found that I need to feel appreciated in order to feel invested in my job, volunteer experiences, etc. One of the best ways to do this is to seek feedback from supervisors/managers/"the people in charge". Be prepared to accept constructive criticism as well as positive feedback. "I just wanted to check in with you to see if there are any areas where you feel I could use some improvement, or areas where you feel I excel. I always welcome feedback." This is a good way to open a conversation up to encourage a supervisor to provide periodic feedback both in the constructive and positive realms. Also, I try to go out of my way to show gratitude and appreciation towards supervisors/managers/"the people in charge" as well as fellow coworkers/volunteers. It always makes me feel good to let other people know that I appreciate their hard work.
PoliteOcean
September 6th, 2015 6:48pm
This isn't a one answer fits all question. Its hard to feel like you gain the appreciation that you feel you may want or need. Perhaps going the extra mile by doing things you don't normally do can help you to get recognized more. Or if this is something that you already do, and still having issues, perhaps its time to speak with your supervisor or boss.
MacSouLight
May 7th, 2019 9:28pm
you can feel more appreciated at work by remembering that success is something that only you can make yourself feel. If you feel like a winner, then you're winning even if you're not in the lead. Remember to keep trying, and always remember that your efforts are always appreciated even when they go seemingly unnoticed. You matter and you make a difference and that's why you are there! your place in that position for a reason, and sometimes things come at times or don't come at times, when it seems like they are deserved. Remember that in due time you're do praises and appreciation you deserve welcome. Perseverance is the key and endurance will always yield promising results.
KathleenX
April 26th, 2015 12:47am
One way to feel more appreciated to ask for feedback. You can approach your boss and ask how you are doing at work. People are so busy sometimes that they don't have time to give feedback, but there's nothing wrong with asking for some!
Caringpotato
April 7th, 2015 12:09pm
Break down the bigger goals into smaller ones that are feasible and realistic. When you achieve those mini goals, celebrate your achievement by sharing your success stories during staff meeting or to supervisor. List down what your strengths are, and some areas where you may need to improve on. Speak to supervisor about learning opportunities to strengthen the skills you need to improve on as well as to build on what your current strengths are. Eagerness to learn and grow at a workplace shows you're hard working and professional. Many managers appreciate those employees who continue to learn and improve than employees who do not make any efforts to improve.