If you hate your job, you're not alone.
If you’re here reading this, chances are, you may have some career dissatisfaction.
Career dissatisfaction comes in many different forms and intensities, ranging from mild annoyances and doubts here and there, to a feeling of dread and anxiety each day at work.
It’s completely normal to have days and even weeks, where you’re completely burnt out and unhappy. This doesn’t necessarily mean it’s time to change careers. However, if you find yourself consistently, for three months, feeling miserable, disengaged, undervalued, anxious, and/or fed up, it may be time to at least have a conversation with yourself, and then your boss.
According to Gallup’s recent survey, 85% of people worldwide are dissatisfied with their job. A big part of this is not necessarily the work itself, but many times due to a unlikeable boss, poor leadership, or toxic co-workers. In America, 70% of workers are disengaged with their jobs.
The world of work is quickly changing today and we are caught in the middle of this shifting landscape. Getting a paycheck from the same employer for 30 years is no longer desirable, nor is spending 40 hours+ per week (that’s 90,000 hours over your lifetime!) doing work that isn’t fulfilling, meaningful, or at least somewhat interesting.
So why do we have so many unhappy workers around the world?
First, I believe that many industries and companies are still operating under outdated models of work and are overlooking ways to be more efficient and productive. Looking at productivity and cost savings, employers could be designing their work environments to increase output and make their employees happier. The structured 9-5 cubicle business model isn’t working and is very unsatisfying for not only millennials, but working parents, and people who want to have work-life balance. Now, of course, many businesses must operate during certain business hours, but there are strategies and technology that could be introduced to shift focus more on outcomes and productivity, rather than enforce strict working hours, which ultimately is not as effective.
Second, I think that many people are simply in the wrong job. Our society doesn’t really teach children and adolescents how to develop self-awareness and decision-making skills before college, thus many college-aged students do not have the tools to choose a career path strategically, yet are influenced by many external factors, such as financial considerations, family input, familiarity, and market needs. Everyone is born with unique skills and strengths and if we could tap into that more, people would feel greater work satisfaction. Of course, not everyone is in the wrong job, and not everyone is unhappy with their career. But the ones that are, could be missing a career that is more aligned to who they are.
And third, I believe that we have poor management and leadership in many companies. Many people in leadership positions got there because they are good at what they do. That is a fair generalization. However, just because a person is good at their work, doesn’t necessarily mean they know how to (or even should) manage and develop people. These are two big distinctions that companies often overlook because there’s just too little resources to distinguish between those that are good at the work and those who can effectively inspire and engage people. In most cases, we have managers who cannot inspire or engage, and ultimately create negativity and frustration, among many other toxic situations. The good news is that we can come up with better systems to train and develop leaders, teach better leadership and management skills, offer internal coaching, and/or put better people in leadership roles. Until we do so, people who shouldn’t be mentoring and advising employees will be, and employees will feel stuck, with little room to grow professionally or personally.
We can’t solve all of these problems today but you can take your own happiness into your own hands.
Hang in there, you’re not alone! You don’t have to stay stuck or unhappy. Set a timeline and create a strategy to make moves. A toxic work situation will affect all areas of your life. If you feel the urge to make a change, then get into action. Even small steps will propel you into your next chapter.
If you’re interested in learning about career coaching and how it could help you find work that you love or become a better boss or leader, schedule a complimentary catalyst call here.
If you’re an employer and you’re interested in group training and/or leadership development, contact me here.
Coach | Consultant | Educator | Speaker