How connected are job satisfaction and your compensation?
We’re all familiar with the phrase money doesn’t buy you happiness.
When researching the subject, I found this quote from 2019 by Steve Bartlett. 'Happiness is not a destination, it's not a new boyfriend, it's not a new job, it's not a completed goal, it's not a new car. Until you give up the idea that happiness is somewhere else, it will never be where you are.'
The original quote: ‘Happiness is a journey, not a destination’ is attributed to Will Durant, the American philosopher.
Based on almost 30 years working in the recruitment and search industry, I’m posting some thoughts on the connection between job satisfaction and pay.
Money is rarely #1 on a list for job search criteria. But being comfortable enough financially to provide options in life is fundamental to job satisfaction. So is company recognition and being paid a fair market rate.
90% of people I engage with say they would trade a higher future salary for a job that had more meaning.
Few successful executives or entrepreneurs continue to work simply for the money. Many are already financially secure.
An aspiration to retire by 60 still exists for plenty of us. But what does retirement really mean these days? Why does a specific birthday matter? Warren Buffet and Rupert Murdoch have worked into their 90s.
Financial goals are often surpassed by having a genuine purpose in your personal and professional life. This translates directly to job satisfaction.
If you bring personal pressures to work, it will inevitably impact your job satisfaction. In the same way, bringing work stress home can be highly destructive. No amount of money will resolve this.
Many people struggle to take their own advice. Lots of us seem addicted to following the money.
The consensus from executives I engage with is that job satisfaction should be a priority that deserves far more of our time and effort but it appears a hard principle to apply in practice.
For job satisfaction (and happiness) we need to look beyond money and materiality. They are less important than experiences and relationships. Happiness in work can be difficult to articulate, so try to reflect on the things you may regret not doing professionally.
“The top five regrets of the dying” by Bronnie Ware shared some common and sobering regrets of people she spoke to as a former palliative carer. One was ‘working too much’ which offers another useful reflection.
We often have misconceptions when it comes to the things that can make us feel better in professional life. The bottom line is that if you want to be happy in your professional (and personal) life, you must continually work at it. Until you give up the idea that happiness is somewhere else, it will never be where you are.
Do you have anything to add?
Let me know in the comments below.
Contact me for advice on attracting and hiring the right leadership team in consumer and retail. at BartonRock Executive Search.
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7 个月Thanks for sharing.