How to Love Going to Work Every Day
Posted on December 21, 2012 by Charles Ankney, One of Thousands of Career Coaches on Noomii.
This article describes why many people are unhappy with their jobs, and how you can be passionate about going to work each day.
The biggest reason employees leave their job is not pay or being passed over for promotion; it is lack of affirmation (1). For people in their twenties, the average stay at a job is 18 months (2). Most Americans will work between 10 and 15 jobs during their careers (3). Many people aren’t working within their passion, and it shows!!
The reason many people don’t enjoy going to work each day is because it is a chore. The typical worker sees their job not as “Something I get to do each day,” but rather it is seen as “something I have to do to pay for what I need and want.” Thus, when a job doesn’t adequately deliver the resources we crave, or we don’t get affirmed by the people around us for what we contribute, or we see our tasks as being menial and mind-numbing, we look for a way out. Somebody else who will better compensate us, a place where we will look forward to going when we get up in the morning, or a task where we know we are contributing and have a purpose.
If you are unhappy with your job, and going to work is a chore and not a passion, I want to help you. I will offer some tips; some dramatic, some small. Read the tips, see if they are for you, and contact me so we can work on your individual plan.
Tip #1: Take an honest, realistic look at your interests AND talents
For a career to be meaningful to you, then you HAVE to have passion for it. Align your career choice with your interests. There are a myriad of career interest inventories out there (some are great, some are horrible. I am a trained guide on the “Cadillac Escalade” of career interest inventories; I’ve seen others that told me…someone who is lucky to keep tomato plants alive…that I should be a farmer and told a friend of mine who had never been in a church in her life to be a member of the clergy). Find a good career interest inventory (you can ask me about the one I am a guide for) and the good ones will suggest occupations that match your interests.
You also need to take into account your talents as well. I would LOVE to be the head coach of a NFL team. Would an owner be wise to consider me? Absolutely not!! Just because we have an interest in something doesn’t mean we have the talent to match.
Tip #2: Target your dream job before you need a new one. Oftentimes, when we are in need of a new job, we settle for one that may not be our dream, but it pays the bills for now. That’s fine and good for the short term, but if that job isn’t your dream, you’ll eventually be looking for something different again later. I say: get that job that pays the bills now; but once you land it don’t stop looking for that dream job. You’ll eventually be looking for another job later anyway, so you might as well look now for that job that perfectly aligns with your interests and talents. Keep your eyes peeled so later down the road, you’re not just looking for the next thing that comes along again.
Tip #3: Maintain your networks. Keep friends, check in on old friends, and help others. When others in your network who know you see a job opening they know you would be perfect for, they’ll tell both you and the decision-maker about each other. You’re much more likely to find a job that fits you perfectly when somebody who knows you well and knows it would be a good fit for that job helps you get into it, as opposed to combing the jobs boards. Need help maintaining your networks? Contact me and we’ll create a detailed gameplan for you to follow.
Tip #4: This is a drastic step, I know, but it is something that I would encourage you to at least consider. When you know what your passions are and what your talents are, begin a company that aligns perfectly with those. I know starting a business is scary (I’ve done it) but the best way to align your work with your passions is to design your work around your passions. Robert Kiyosaki, author of the “Cashflow Quadrant” (which I strongly encourage you to read) points out that many people who want to improve their situations go from job to job, but stay in the “Employee Quadrant.” The way to more freedom, satisfaction, and wealth is to transition to the “business owner” quadrant. I know this isn’t easy, and it’s probably making you queasy. But it’s something I want you to think about. What is your dream job? What would it look like to create your dream job? Are there partners or like-minded individuals you can bring on board?If you decide this last tip isn’t for you, that’s fine. I want to help you find your interests and talents and work with you on a strategy to land your dream job. If this last tip is for you, that’s great. I have people on my team who will help you get going.
Find your passions, realize your talents, and strategically plan to find yourself working a job that you love. You deserve to love going to work every day!
Sources:
(1) US Dept of Labor
(2) Dan Miller: “48 Days to the Work You Love”
(3) Ibid
