The Journey to Job Satisfaction

If you're not in a self-reflection mood...do NOT keep reading this newsletter.

Phew, I'm glad you stayed, now let's do a deep dive.

Have you ever paused to break down how we spend our lives? Here's a sobering thought: on average, we spend a third of our adult life at work. With 8 hours for sleep, 8 for work, and 8 for ourselves (ignoring commute times, weekends, and holidays), our lives revolve around a 24-hour cycle. But what if a significant chunk of that cycle – the work part – doesn't spark joy? If this is you, are you feeling like you're wasting your life away for a job you hate? I'd venture a guess that you've got a growing sense of resentment that pokes at you regularly. Keep reading, we can fix this. But first, let's look at some statistics on American workers:

• 38% of American workers "wouldn't wish their job on their worst enemy" (source)
• Hospitality workers most enjoy working for their managers (80%), while real estate (55%) and legal professionals (56%) least enjoy it (source)
• 53 minutes/day: the average commute time (round trip) for American workers (source)
• 18-67 years old: the age of starting work and retirement in the US (source)
• 68% of workers making $150,000+/year are “very satisfied” with their current job, while only 40% of people making under $50,000 said the same (source)

Do any of these numbers shock you?

The Great Work-Life Balance: A Puzzle for Many

If you're like me, the realization that work consumes so much of our lives can be daunting, if not outright depressing. Statistics are startling: only about 55% of Americans love their job, according to Yahoo Finance. So, what happens to the rest? They either feel stuck in a job they dislike or find themselves on a constant quest for something more fulfilling. I think we can all agree that life is short (4,732 weeks to be exact, according to the average lifespan). If that number freaks you out, DO NOT buy this poster on which you check off each week as it passes.

The Three Paths: Choose Your Adventure

How do we navigate this conundrum of disliking what we spend so much of our time doing (aka work)? I see three paths:

1. The Quest for the Perfect Job: This is about relentless pursuit. Don't settle until you find a role that brings satisfaction and joy. It's easier said than done, sure, but the rewards can be life-changing. Comment below if you've actually done this and now you're at a job you love. We could all use a little inspiration :)
2. Entrepreneurial Leap: Turning a hobby into a business is an enticing idea, though it's often more challenging than anticipated. It requires grit, passion, and risk tolerance. I just decided to do this after working 10 years in the corporate world as an Engineer & Program Manager. I've been an entrepreneur now for 3 months and it's rewarding and tough simultaneously. Not necessarily better than an office job, just different. Check out my website where you can learn more about what I do now.
3. Resignation to Reality: Unfortunately, many fall into this category, accepting dissatisfaction as a part of life. This path often leads to growing resentment. According to a 2012 study called "The Top 5 Regrets of Dying", the second most common regret is "I wish I hadn't worked so hard". Number one hit me even harder than that; check out the article here.

In this newsletter edition, let's focus on the first path: finding a job you love.

The First Step: A Mirror and Honesty

Acknowledging that you're not content with your current job is tough. It's a realization that comes with the daunting task of seeking change. This might involve job hunting, a conversation with your manager about needed changes, or even a career pivot. If you're scared to do any of these things, I urge you to just "do it scared" and not let fear paralyze you. If you need more motivation, scroll back up to that poster of 4,000 weeks...As I said: life is SHORT.

What Do You Deserve?

Is it higher pay you're after? A 2019 CNBC article titled "Perhaps Money Can Buy You Happiness" suggests that higher salaries are linked to less job dissatisfaction. Or maybe the issue lies with your manager or the nature of your job itself. For instance, you might be an accountant dreaming of a career in HR. The good news is: if you have the courage, this doesn't have to stay a "dream", it can be your reality.

The Power of Self-Reflection

To navigate these waters, self-awareness is key. Tools like the DISC assessment, Meyers Briggs, or WorkStyle tests can be incredibly insightful. They help in understanding what makes you tick, your strengths, and where you might need a change. How well do you know yourself? It's a very hard question to answer, but often our feelings of resentment, hesitation, or disdain can tell us more about ourselves than feelings of joy or happiness.

Your Experiences and Insights

I'm curious to hear your stories. Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you had to make a tough decision about your job satisfaction? How did you approach it?

I hope you feel motivated to make any necessary changes to your work life after reading this, like I said before: you deserve to be happy and feel good about the work you're doing. I know that LinkedIn can seem like a highlight reel sometimes, where people post about how great work is or how you're "doing it wrong". But just know, I will ALWAYS try to shed light on the reality, good and bad.

Let's open up this discussion. How have you navigated job dissatisfaction, and what advice would you give to those on the brink of making a change? Share your thoughts below!