Uh Oh…We’re Becoming a Nation of Uninspired Workers. But There’s a Fix for That

FranNet of DFW & Oklahoma recently found a statistic that members of Corporate America may find interesting. It appears that 38% of them have “never felt more uninspired at work than they do now.” This is from an article published by StudyFinds.com, a reliable research firm that looks into statistical analysis for various subjects. In conjunction with a survey conducted by Talker Research, approximately 2,000 U.S. employees were polled about their lack of on-the-job inspiration – which is quickly leading to a noticeable productivity slump.

The bulk of the conclusions this study found determined that employees feel trapped in stale jobs that they don’t truly enjoy. This, in effect, leads to a sense of malaise spurred by a lack of being actively involved – both physically and mentally. It’s precisely this attitude that has created a feeder pipeline directly into the franchising industry, as FranNet of DFW & Oklahoma has dealt with many clients lately who simply want something more out of their careers. And their lives. Below, we explore this dilemma in further detail and explain why becoming your own boss could be the magic bullet that leads to a cure.

Why People Hate Their Jobs

Some of the additional research we uncovered was even more troubling than what we covered in our introductory paragraph. Job dissatisfaction is clearly evident, but there are specific demographics that tend to express it more than others. One of the likeliest of segments? Middle managers over the age of 35. The reasons they give for feeling this way are all over the board. Having to physically return to the office is one of the most common, and roughly half were willing to quit rather than comply. Other factors included toxic work environments, lack of opportunities to advance, horrible bosses (always a favorite), and a sense that their work is meaningless and trite. Many feel akin to a hamster on a wheel, turning circles just to get to the next paycheck.

What Hating Your Job Does to You

While many people still resist the notion, unhappiness at work does in fact cause us both physical and mental harm. An organizational behavior professor at Stanford named Jeffrey Pfeffer has studied this issue extensively, authoring a book entitled, “Dying for a Paycheck.” His findings are nothing short of alarming. Among the physical factors, he learned that people suffer from lack of sleep, headaches and muscle aches, exhaustion, fatigue, and digestive issues. Even more troubling are the mental effects like the onset of depressive episodes. Summarizing his findings, Pfeffer determined that poor management in U.S. companies accounts for almost 10% of our comprehensive healthcare costs, and up to 120,000 excess deaths per year.

How to Fix It…

Even though a majority of people who dislike their jobs and/or careers feel helpless, they do still have choices. To put it as starkly as possible, you can always quit. Of course, FranNet of DFW & Oklahoma isn’t advocating for anyone to put themselves in a risky financial position or put their healthcare insurance in jeopardy, but there are carefully planned pathways that can get you through what we call career transitioning. A survey conducted by FlexJobs discovered some interesting statistics. Nearly 60% of employees are actively considering career changes and 25% have actually gone through with it, which demonstrates that there’s always hope.

But this of course refers to changing jobs. When you embark upon an entrepreneurial path, you’re changing your life – often times for the better.

It’s widely understood that there are three paths to becoming your own boss. You can start from scratch, buy an existing establishment, or franchise your way to business ownership of your own. Only the latter offers you a proven business model, comprehensive training, and close-knit, ongoing support. If you’ve found yourself hating your job of late, perhaps schedule a no-cost, no-obligation meeting with us to explore alternatives. With thousands of franchise concepts on the marketplace today, we’re certain there’s a perfect match just for you.

But no matter what you ultimately decide, do whatever it takes to safeguard your physical and mental health. Because you’re always worth it.

Let’s Chat!

If you’d like to know more about franchise opportunities and ownership, please get in touch. FranNet of DFW & Oklahoma is uniquely qualified to match your potential with the possibilities that come from small business ownership through franchising. All you have to do is allow us to be your guide. Our no-cost, no-obligation consultations have helped hundreds of entrepreneurs in North Texas and Oklahoma secure a future that belongs to them and them alone. If you’d like to get started on your own entrepreneurial journey, we’d love to introduce you to a whole new world of possibilities through franchise ownership.