Is Job Satisfaction All in Your Mind?
Is landing the right job in the right place with the right people a crap shoot? Is it true what âthey sayâ that we attract people and situations into our lives based on who we are? Â
Iâve had job experiences that ranged from being so fulfilling that some days our sides hurt from laughing, to working with teams so closely that nobody complained when our days morphed into long nights trying to get a system back up and running, while sucking up coffee and pound cake, to traveling the U.S. on the companyâs dime⌠to ⌠HOW THE HELL did I end up here in this toxic suite with these backstabbing lunatics?!?! Â
Are these experiences based on company culture, human dynamics, that âattractionâ they speak of, luck, or choice?
There are hundreds of studies, and of course opinions, about what people say job satisfaction means to them. Do those statistics really get to the heart of what people need in order to feel a true sense of accomplishment, contribution, and self-worth?
Weâre not going to deal with statistics here â let the experts calculate numbers⌠Iâd like to invite you to really think about how many pieces and parts need to come together pretty consistently in order for you to feel a true sense of satisfaction and success at work.
My mantra as an employee was always âI have to work, but I donât have to work here!â Because, in the end, we all have choices. Â
Of course we canât all design the perfect career and choose our life work, but what if we could? Â What would that look like for you? What motivates and inspires you?
Letâs get the standard answers like higher pay, flexible hours, shorter workweek, less hassle from the boss, and less work off the table. Â Â
When you think about what you do daily (and might possibly be doing every day for 8 or more hours for the next 20 to 30 years) âŚare you in mindless motion? Do you feel a real sense of contribution and accomplishment? Are you making a difference in your city, the community, or the world?  Do you have a pleasant, satisfied feeling after a hard day at work?
If we make long-term career choices like we choose a mate â even a lifetime friend - the requirements would go a little deeper. Â Now, we would want respect, fairness, cooperation, acknowledgement, appreciation, compromise, communication, consideration, support, loyalty, honesty, security, trust. Â Doesnât that just feel good when you think about it? And, is that too much to ask from the people you spend more time with than you spend with your family?
I hope you werenât holding me out for answers to the questions I posed! I only know for sure that each of your answers will be as unique as you are!
My only intention was to wake-up the values and visions you have that too often lie dormant while you push through each day. Imagine how different your days will be when you find your work is a reflection of things that speak to your mind, heart, and spirit.