According to Small Business Trends, 77% of small business owners love what they do--describing themselves as either “very” or “extremely” happy about running a business.

Over the course of your lifetime, over 1/3 of your waking hours are spent at work. Why waste your time doing something you don’t enjoy? Don’t get me wrong—work is not always going to be fun. But if you have to work to survive, you shouldn’t have to drag yourself out of bed for a job you dread. 

We have all heard the phrase “Money doesn’t buy happiness.” This statement is in accordance with Forbes.com, which reports that jobs with better pay and higher social status are less likely to produce feelings of contentment. Their list of most hated jobs includes Director of Information Technology, Senior Web Developer, Law Clerk, and others. On the other hand, Clergy, Author, Physical Therapist, and Psychologist constitute The Ten Happiest Jobs. According to the National Organization for Research at the University of Chicago, 80% of firefighters are “very satisfied” with their jobs.

The difference between the most loved and most hated jobs is one thing: whether or not the employee feels as if he or she is truly making a difference. The top ten happiest jobs are positions where people feel as if they’re doing something worthwhile—like educating young people or helping the sick. But those with the most hated jobs are constantly asking themselves: ‘what’s the point?’

If you’re a business owner and you’re struggling with finding meaning behind your company or your position, all is not lost. Maybe when you first started your small business, you loved every second. You were passionate and excited about the future of your company and how it could benefit the public. But as time goes on, it is not uncommon for that feeling to fade. Inc.com’s article, “5 Keys to Business Happiness” gives advice on how to bring the joy back into running your business. 

Bottom line: You are going to be working until you’re old and gray. Make sure you have a reason to want to get up in the morning.