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| Volume 4 Issue 2 |
February 2010
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Dear Journey Reader,
Did you know that fewer than half of U.S. workers are satisfied with their jobs? This is the lowest level since record keeping began 22 years ago, according to a recent report released by the Conference Board.
If you are like me, those kinds of news releases make you think. For instance, I decided to rate how satisfied I am with my job on a scale of 1-10 with "10" being gloriously delighted to come to work and "1" being so miserable I'd rather be in a dentist's chair. You might try that strategy yourself as a job satisfaction checkup.
If you've ever held a job where you were unhappy, you know the drill. On Sunday afternoon, you start dreading Monday, and you get grouchy. (Think of the message about work you are sending to your children!) You drag in on Monday morning with a frown on your face. You resent anything and anybody that changes your schedule. You share your misery often-through nonverbal ways (including passive aggressive behaviors such as forgetting to bring your tools or misplacing a report that is due) and in verbal ways, such as complaining about everything under the sun. Attitudes are catching, and bad ones are like a virus that saps the energy out of a workplace.
So, what do you do if you are unhappy at work? The first thing is to do some soul searching about why you are unhappy. Harassment, an uncooperative and maybe an abusive co-worker, unethical work practices, a tyrant of a boss, and unsafe working conditions can certainly lead to angst at work. You'll want to look deeper, too. You may say you're unhappy because you are overworked, but the real reason may be that you're angry because someone else got the promotion that you thought should be yours. Alternatively, you may say you're unhappy because nobody appreciates you when what you really want is to be formally recognized before your peers as an asset to the organization.
After you discover the answer, the next step is to decide on a course of action. If you work for an unethical organization, for example, you may want to find another job. Harassment, unsafe work conditions and abusive co-workers are management issues and can be taken to human resources or management for resolution. Many issues you can handle yourself.
Here's a secret. The heart of job satisfaction lies in your own attitudes and expectations. It's more about how you approach your job than about the actual duties you perform. Don't waste your life being unhappy at work, especially when you have the ability to create job satisfaction yourself.
Blessings,
Delane |
Ingredients for Job Satisfaction |
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You can increase your job satisfaction by using the following tips:
Self-awareness - Know yourself. Understand your strengths and challenges. Build on your strengths and minimize your weaknesses. If you are not good at something, don't spend years at it. Find a job that uses your talents. Know your personality traits and your preferred style of working. Personality inventories, such as Emergenetics™ and the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator™ are helpful with this. The greater the match between your preferences and the requirements of the job, the more potential you have for job satisfaction.
Challenge - Your job can grow stale without a little challenge thrown in. Even if your job lacks challenge, you can create it for yourself by 1) setting performance standards for yourself, 2) teach others your skills, 3) ask for new responsibilities, 4) learn something new, 5) take courses, read books and trade magazines, and attend workshops.
Variety - Minimize boredom by cross-training, ask for new assignments, ask to work a different shift, get involved with a committee, and take your vacation.
Positive attitude - This plays a HUGE role in how you view your job. Even if you cannot change much about your job, you can change your attitude. Some tips: Stop negative thoughts. Reframe your thoughts to positive ones. Accept setbacks. Put the events of the day in the right context. Welcome mistakes as opportunities to learn. Become an optimist. Don't waste your life being angry, depressed and frustrated when you have the ability to change.
Know your options - When you feel trapped, find out what other jobs might be out there for you. Keep a list of your accomplishments. Update your resume. Take a "keeping my options open" approach. Research jobs that might interest you. Pay attention to employment trends.
Maintain a balanced lifestyle - When work takes over your life, you start to resent it and lose your sense of perspective. Find work-life balance.
Develop a sense of purpose - Discover how your job contributes to the overall success of the organization. Respect the job that you do.
Make one small change at work today that makes you feel good or different. Then build on that change to create a job that provides satisfaction.
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Stress and Time Management as a Business Strategy |
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March 16, 2010
8 a.m.-Noon
Pastoral Institute Community Room, 2022 15th Ave., Columbus, GA
Trainer: Kenneth O'Shields, Corporate Trainer
There is a new face to normal in today's workplace. The year 2009 made organizations face economic challenges such as downsizing and reconfiguration of the workplace; posing a new paradigm for managers and supervisors
This workshop is designed to help managers and supervisors develop strategies to help reduce workplace stress by using time management techniques to improve productivity and engagement
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| Emergenetics™: A Meeting of the Minds |
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March 18, 2010
8 a.m.-Noon
Pastoral Institute Community Room, 2022 15th Ave., Columbus, GA
Trainer: Kelvin Redd, Director of the Center for Servant Leadership
Emergenetics™ is a unique tool that gives you insight into how you and others think and behave. Based on scientific evidence, Emergenetics' ™ methods facilitate communication and promote personal, team and leadership effectiveness.
If you are a manager, supervisor, business owner, nonprofit director, or human resources professional; Emergenetics™: A Meeting of the Minds is a workshop you do not want to miss.
Register today!
HRCI CEU approved | |
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Journey is a monthly publication of the Business Resource Center of the Pastoral Institute. It is our hope that you will find something in its pages that will help you on your life's journey. The Employee Assistance Program provided by your business or organization makes counseling services available for you and your family. To make an appointment in Columbus, call 706-649-6500; in Valley, AL call 334-768-2341; other locations, call 800-649-6446 for a referral in your area. Counseling is confidential. |
Disclaimer
Information contained in this newsletter is for information only and is not intended to replace qualified medical or mental health assessments. If you need immediate assistance, or if you or your family is in crisis, please contact a qualified mental health provider. If you are suicidal, call 911 or go immediately to the nearest hospital emergency room. | |
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