Are you starting 2006 in a job that you are dissatisfied with or have just lost your zest and overall purpose for work??
You are not alone! A new survey found that the share of workers satisfied with their jobs has dropped significantly over the past five years from 59% to 51%. It appears that today's fast-paced working climate is triggering more malaise than we've imagined (Source: Conference Board Survey, Nov 13 2001). This survey also revealed that overall, Generation Xers are the happiest workers, with satisfaction levels around 55%.
You might ask why this is the case? It appears that Generation Xers have established a better work/life balance and make this priority where possible.
According to the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) who released the results of a survey, (June 20, 2005) having a work/life balance was the most critical in maintaining job satisfaction and reducing boredom in the workplace. Money was not the biggest motivator in job satisfaction amongst the people surveyed. The other important factors connected to satisfaction amongst workers was working with people you like and respect and vice/versa, and a sense of empowerment and independence - people don’t like to be micro-managed because it chokes creativity!
The question is simple: How do you make things better in a job that doesn't rouse your interest when the alarm clock goes off?
Below are twelve survival tips:-
1. Communicate. Let the boss know your achievements and problems. Don't boast and don't gripe. Create a sense of teamwork. Define the problem at hand and offer ways to solve it. Communication is the key!
2. Do Something for Yourself. Take on a project that's dear to your heart or set aside time for what you do best. For example, if you got into medicine because you wanted to be a caregiver but find yourself buried in paperwork, find the time to bewitch your patients. Make an effort to connect with each patient and his or her family.
3. Improve a Bad Relationship. Some people are born grumpy and simply won't like you. Instead of fretting about it and thinking it's something you did, simply ask the person each day, "Is there anything I can do for you?" This will ease the tension and, over time, may win over the person who has the long knives out for no apparent reason.
4. Delegate. Never allow process to stop the result. Remember that you can't do everything all the time. Pass off some of the grunt work to a hungry young staffer who needs to learn the basics and a fundamental lesson in life: You don’t start at the top, and you earn plumb assignments by working hard in the trenches. If you create a clear path of advancement, the smart employee won’t kick when asked to handle routine stuff.
5. Seek Feedback. Ask your boss and co-workers, "How am I doing?" Make it clear that you seek feedback to improve your performance--not because you crave praise. Show others how feedback can increase their productivity and boost their career choices.
6. Tackle Tough Assignments First. Get the difficult or unpleasant work out of the way first, because it doesn’t improve with age and will look truly hideous after lunch. This also allows you to finish the day with something you find challenging and enjoy.
7. Have A Little Fun. Work isn’t play, but it doesn't have to be mind-numbingly serious all the time. A few quips will boost everyone's morale. Organise a social sports team with your peers for two lunch times a week.
8. Encourage Teamwork. Doing more with less demands increased productivity. Teamwork is a good way to achieve this goal. Working in teams is a learned skill. If you don’t know the basics, learn them and share your insights with others.
9. Body and Soul. Pay attention to your physical and mental health. Stick to the basics: Eat right, exercise and get enough sleep. If you feel crummy, your job performance will suffer. You don't have to be a corporate guru to figure that out. You might want to consider a little yoga, tai-chi, meditation or book yourself for a regular massage to bring the mind and body back into balance and release some stress.
10. Get a Life. People who have interests outside work make better employees, friends, parents and spouses. Take the time to do whatever it is that you're passionate about. No one on his deathbed ever said, "I wish I'd spent more time at the office."
11. Get a Life Coach. A life coach may guide you and assist you in achieving and implementing some of the above recommendations in the short term but on a bigger picture scale will help you work towards reaching all your goals and mapping out any changes that you wish to make in your life, such as a career advancement, a career change or starting a new business. Results show people working with a coach tend to perform better in all areas of their life and achieve a better work/life balance… the key to happiness.
12. Work less. A 2005 report by the Australia Institute states that 23% of adult Australians chose to downshift - reducing work hours or leaving paid work altogether in the decade prior to 2003. Current trends suggest the number will rise particularly among men. This reduction in hours may give you the time out you need to think about your next move and re visit your purpose for working and what makes you happy!
Source: How to love the job you hate: Job Satisfaction for the 21st Century. Author Jane Boucher.
This article was written by Dora Pappas who is the founder and director of SeaChange2. Dora works as a Life Strategist and Business Coach, and would be happy to assist you in achieving your career and life goals using specific coaching tools and strategies. For enquiries and appointments please call the clinic on (02)97970422 or Dora directly on 0400 801 855 or send an email to coaching@seachange2.com.au.
