A job for life?

Most of us have to work to live, but how many of us live to work? Do you have a job that excites you, which you love to do and fills you with pride? Unfortunately, for many people, the opposite is true. Stress, depression and job dissatisfaction are all too common now in the workplace.

So what causes this job malaise? More often than not, it comes down to your values. If your values aren’t being met, then you will find yourself at odds in the workplace. For example, if you value creativity and you are not allowed to express that through your work, then part of you will feel unfulfilled.
There are three common sources for these value clashes, the organisation, the role and the people.

Organisations have values and these values may differ from yours. Do you work in an organisation that values its customers or values the bottom line? Most organisations have a mission statement, but all too often, these are empty promises. If you value honesty and integrity, what would it be like to work for an organisation that says one thing and does another? Do you already know what that is like?
The role you perform has a big influence on how you feel. Varied or stable, stretching or easy, interactive or isolated, the characteristics of the role need to match your characteristics.
Most jobs have some interaction with other people, whether that is with colleagues or customers. How they deal with you and how you are expected to deal with them will influence your satisfaction.

The question this begs is whether the situation is such that you want to change it. If it is, you have a number of choices. Let’s take them in reverse order.
It is difficult to change other people, but you can change your approach to them. You will be amazed how people react positively to someone who makes an effort. Not everyone of course, as some will be suspicious, but most people respond well to someone who is happy and helpful.
With regards to your role, a change of approach can work wonders as well. Where is the fun in the role? What can you be proud of? Can you make a difference? If not, then maybe a change of role is required.
Finally changing the organisation you are working for is generally a case of leaving to find another more suitable organisation. It’s a big step and not one to take lightly, but if you conclude that this is the problem, then it is time to start looking!