ajcjobs > BlogBreak > Archives > 2008 > April > 28 > Entry
The quest to be a gruntled worker
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The main story in Sunday’s ajcjobs section talked about ways to increase your satisfaction with your career and/or job. The story cited a 2007 poll that showed that fewer than half of the respondents were satisfied with their jobs. The percentages were lower for younger age groups than for older workers, but all of the percentages were quite a bit lower than the 61 percent overall who were satisfied with their jobs 20 years ago.
Are you a disgruntled worker? What aspects of your job or career have fallen short of the expectations you had when you began in the position or field? Why do you think people are less satisfied with their work today than workers were 20 years ago? Is it, as the story suggests, because we have higher expectations for what our jobs and careers should mean in our lives? What do you think leads to job satisfaction, and do you believe that it’s all a matter of mind over matter?
Comments
By Peggy Titus-Hall, CPCC, ACC
April 28, 2008 3:49 PM | Link to this
Job satisfaction seems rather elusive these days, primarily because people choose to be dissatisfied. It’s not all mind over matter; however, how you think about your current career satisfaction or dissatisfaction is up to you.
So many clients work with me because they are either dissatisfied with the work they do or with the people they work for and/or with. Some people may like the work, but it lacks recognition, sufficient compensation, or fair work hours.
Granted, financial concerns are important concern of many people. They can stay in their current jobs because the jobs are an “evil” that they know. They don’t know about the evils that lurk in the outside world, so why take a chance?
The reason they are dissatisfied is they are afraid to take the chances. People choose to stay stuck in their jobs.
What is it going to take for you to actively look at possibilities outside of your job, network with people who are doing different things, find out what’s really out in the world? You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
Would you rather stay in a job that’s killing your spirit and/or your body just because it pays the bills or provides a lifestyle you’re afraid to lose?
When you evaluate what you truly want, including your family life, your personal enjoyment, and your contribution to the world, what does that picture look like? Is it glowing or pale? Is it bright or dull?
You get to choose. So choose!