Free Yourself From Job or Career Dissatisfaction - Part 2

In part 1, I introduced the notion of declaring independence from job dissatisfaction among other information.

Now I want to discuss a few things that can be of assistance for you if you are pondering declaring independence from job or career dissatisfaction. First, I must make mention that everyone’s situation is different and there are unique elements to each one. Given that, take the information that follows only as a guide to how you can free yourself and not as an absolute. Look at YOUR situation and see how this information can set you on the road to job or career satisfaction.

1. What you think about most creates that reality because your resulting emotions cause you to act accordingly with those thoughts. When you have dissatisfying thoughts about what you don’t have or are not getting you create a sense of doubt and procrastination, thus opposing what you really want. In simple terms, your dissatisfied thoughts cancel any thoughts of how to rectify the situation. Because you live in response to what you think and feel, by your imagination and ability to reason you can control or inspire your emotions whenever you like.

2. Satisfaction is not found, it’s a state of mind that you bring into existence by control of your thoughts and reasoning, and you recognize it as the agreeable middle ground. In situations where you are not satisfied, you can choose to or not to continue feeling this way. Your satisfaction, in this case, is not dependent on other people, material things or the fulfillment of conditions or expectations (e.g. a promotion).

3. Job or career dissatisfaction wouldn’t exist if it were not for something the employer owned and offered to attract, motivate and keep you satisfied. You have no control over what the employer owns, offers or takes away except by the effectiveness of your performance or your choice of jobs and employers. You are most inclined to recognize your dissatisfaction when your job or career lacks meaning. So when you are in the wrong job or prohibited from using your talents to fulfill your calling, only you can fix this by changing your thinking, performance, talents, jobs or employers.

With all of these options, why choose to remain dissatisfied? Free yourself from that which is causing you to be dissatisfied.

If it’s your thinking - FREE YOURSELF! If it’s your performance - IMPROVE IT! If it’s your job - CHANGE IT!

Don’t ever feel as if you have no options. You do and its just a matter of which one you choose. However, before you make a choice, make sure you have made an accurate and fair assessment of the situation.

If needed, seek the advice of an objective party (a career coach) who can help you determine your next move.

Free Yourself From Job or Career Dissatisfaction - Part 1

Independence Day marks when the United States declared independence from Great Britain. It is also a day celebrated by fireworks displays, cook-outs, family reunions and parades. In a similar vain, how can you declare independence from job or career dissatisfaction? How will you celebrate your independence?

“Because of work’s central role in many people’s lives, satisfaction with one’s job is an important component in overall well-being” (Job Satisfaction, 2007)

I often ask the questions, “are you working to live or are you living to work?” Unfortunately, many people are “working to live.” Don’t misconstrue what’s being said here. Of course individuals must meet his/her needs and this is usually accomplished through work. However, many of these same individuals are held captive by “working to live” in jobs that are dissatisfying to them just for a paycheck.

Are you one of those individuals? If so, how can you free yourself from job or career dissatisfaction?

The short answer is to simply quit and do something else (this may also factor into the long answer as well). Some of you may be saying winners never quit; quitters never win. If that is what YOU believe then it is true for YOU.

Many people jump from job to job never actualizing their potential in any job they begin. In cases such as this, the winners-quitters ideology may be of some merit. Nonetheless, quitting without addressing the dissatisfaction can lead to a déjà vu experience in the next job.

Before I explain how to “free yourself,” allow me to share with you some food for thought:

In general, job satisfaction increases with the prestige or social standing of occupations. The most satisfying jobs are mostly professions, especially those involving caring for, teaching, and protecting others and creative pursuits. The least satisfying...jobs are mostly low-skill, manual and service occupations. The occupation with the highest job satisfaction: clergy (a calling maybe?)

Chew on this food for thought and take note of where your current job/career fits (if at all) in all this.

In Part 2, I offer some ideas/suggestions of “How to Free Yourself From Job/Career Dissatisfaction.”