What do you do? That’s often one of the first questions people ask when they meet someone new — not surprising given that most adults spend most of their waking hours at work and that our jobs can influence our lives even outside the workplace. Our work can be a big part of our identity and offer insights into what is important to us, making it a rich area of psychological study, especially in the area of job satisfaction.
Think about your current job/career/employment. Are you satisfied or dissatisfied? Or have you been so busy balancing your life that you haven’t really stopped to think about it?
Answer honestly (in the privacy of reading this post of course!)….do you jump out of bed with excitement ready for the work day ahead? Do you think, wow, I am so lucky to be able to do what I do?
If you were to measure your job satisfaction on a scale one 1-3…where would it fall?
We spend a large amount of of time, if not your life, working in a job and balancing your life/family/friends, so you can agree that it is important that we stop sometimes and evaluate what we do and how it makes you feel. Now, I am not saying that if you feel dissatisfied you need to quit your job now…we all go through waves of highs and lows in any career, but I am emphasizing that it is good for you to stop, evaluate, and target areas in your career that you can improve to make you feel more satisfied.
Several recent studies have concentrated on a particular aspect of work: finding meaning in it. Through their research, experts have gleaned new insights, showing that meaningful work is good for the worker and for the company — and that even employees in tiresome jobs can find ways to make their duties more meaningful.
Related: 5 Ways to Refresh & De-Stress after a Tough Week!
In a 2010 review, Brent D. Rosso, PhD, and colleagues noted that finding meaning in one’s work has been shown to increase motivation, engagement, empowerment, career development, job satisfaction, individual performance and personal fulfillment, and to decrease absenteeism and stress (Research in Organizational Behavior, 2010).
Unfortunately, meaningful work may not be the norm. According to State of the American Workplace, a new report by Gallup Inc., only 30 percent of the U.S. workforce is engaged in their work — in other words, they’re passionate about their work and feel strongly committed to their companies. The remaining 70 percent of American workers are either “not engaged” or “actively disengaged” in their work (Gallup, 2013). Gallup defines unengaged workers as those who are “checked out,” putting in time but without much energy or passion. Actively disengaged workers, meanwhile, act out on their unhappiness, taking up more of their managers’ time and undermining what their co-workers accomplish.
So where do you fit into all of this? Are you part of the 30% engaged or 70% disengaged with what you do?
Here are 7 key facts from classy career girl about job satisfaction that you need to know. They will help you to identify if you are satisfied with your current job or if it is time for you to make a career change.
7 Key Facts You Need To Know About
Job Satisfaction
Repetitive Tasks Will Make You Bored
Repeating the same tasks daily will make your job too easy and will also induce boredom. You will start having negative thoughts like, “this job sucks,” or, “I’m wasting my time and skills.” Without a doubt, you will start losing interest in your job. Do you find that your job is too easy?
Micro-Management is Dangerous
If your boss is always looking over your shoulder, you are being micro-managed. While micro-management may be good from an employer’s perspective, it can be dangerous for you. How? You will stop thinking for yourself and become dependent on management for answers. Also, you will feel less motivated to attend work because you cannot exercise autonomy on the job. Are you being micro-managed?
Lack of Appreciation Will Result in Poor Performance
A 2017 report reveals that most workers resign from their jobs due to lack of appreciation. If you are not feeling appreciated your performance will be of poor quality. You will lack enthusiasm and will not feel empowered. Even a simple “thank you” from your employer and colleagues can brighten your spirit. Do you believe that your contribution has been recognized or appreciated?
Learning and Development Will Increase Your Job Satisfaction
Learning and development will increase your efficiency, effectiveness, and job satisfaction. You will become empowered and motivated to perform well. Moreover, to become an expert at what you do, you need training and personal development. Lack of training will make you stagnant. Also, you will be ignorant about new developments within your chosen field. Does your company promote learning and development?
A Workplace That Lacks Respect is Not Harmonious
Harmony does not exist in a workplace where there is a lack of respect. Disrespect in the workplace is hazardous to your health. Your stress level will rise if you spend 8 hours daily in a hostile and disrespectful environment. Do you feel respected at work?
Related: 5 obstacles that are holding you back from pursuing your dream career
Constructive Feedback Increase Communication
Whether negative or positive, it is important that you receive constructive feedback. This will give you a better understanding of what is expected of you and the areas you need to improve on. However, if you are receiving non-constructive feedback you will feel demotivated. Are you happy with the feedback that you are receiving
Money is No Longer The #1 Job Satisfaction Factor
Usually, when one thinks of job satisfaction, money is the first thing that comes to mind. But not anymore! With so many options available, some people are not willing to sacrifice their happiness for a huge paycheck. Of course, receiving a large paycheck is everyone’s goal but it has to be under proper working conditions.
Additionally, a Harvard Business Review article states, “the more people are focused on money, the less they focus on satisfying their intellectual curiosity, learning new skills, or having fun, and those are the things that make people perform best.”Is your main focus for job satisfaction money?
Related: 9 Career Lessons from #girlbosses
These are just a few of the various factors that constitute job satisfaction. Whether your job satisfaction is low, moderate or high, it is up to you to exercise control. You have the power to do so. If you are feeling dissatisfied, find a job that will make you happy or think about how to try to get satisfaction from the one you have and take action.
Finally, job satisfaction can give you a feeling of contentment on the job. But you must also work on your own happiness and find your life balance to enjoy what life has to offer.
A happy life will make room for increased performance and successful job satisfaction.
Let me know how you feel in the comments!
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