In the first post of this series, we looked at “taking stock” of your new year’s goal to have a better job in 2024, either in a new organization or perhaps within your current employer. In the second of this series, we looked at assessing new employment options: 1) a new role within your current employer setting, 2) a new role with another employer while remaining in your current industry, or 3) choosing an entirely new career path of new role and new industry. The work of securing a better role is a commitment that takes time, especially in this third scenario.
While it’s dangerous to predict just how long the search process takes for a professional, 2023 data on 178,000 hires on LinkedIn tracked the average hiring cycle at 7 weeks. This timeline applies to scenarios 1 and 2. If a new role and a new industry are your focus it can take quite a while to address any gaps you may have before you activate a job search plan. You get the message… stay the path and remain focused if you are to create opportunities for an employer to hire you for the job you have your sights on. This blog series has not addressed the option to establish your own organization. That may happen in the future, but remember that entrepreneurship is the focus of many books and entire degrees.
This post considers attitude, another element of job satisfaction. Maybe you do not need to activate a job search to be happier in your career. Perhaps it is more about cultivating a positive mindset. In this post, we explore the primary desire for attaining and maintaining work motivation and ultimately gaining greater satisfaction. If you seek meaning beyond just getting a paycheck, then there is real personal energy attached to work and rightly so.
Meaning in Work
At a minimum, most of us spend 8-10 of our daily waking hours at work. For some, work is not always or exclusively paid employment. There are volunteer commitments or unpaid support for the home and for raising children. These roles are often committed and important types of work. However, the focus here is on the paid workforce.
On average, we will spend one third of our life or 90,000 hours employed. If you are still reading, it is likely you desire work that is purposeful and meaningful. If you want more than just a paycheck for your many hours invested in work, please read on.
In his book, author “Every Good Endeavor” Tim Keller speaks to work as part of a full life:
“Work is as much a basic human need as food, beauty, rest, friendship, prayer, and sexuality; it is not simply medicine but food for our soul. Without meaningful work we sense significant inner loss and emptiness. People who are cut off from work because of physical or other reasons quickly discover how much they need work to thrive emotionally, physically, and spiritually.”
One of the most common questions in life is, “So, what do you do?” It really is no surprise, right? Ask anyone who has been fired or laid off (including me) if there is a feeling of being adrift. Work is tied to our identity. For many, a job that is prestigious can heighten your feelings of personal value and status. It is assumed that status and financial reward will bring satisfaction. But for many individuals, it is more meaningful and satisfying only when work aligns with personal character and values.
Let’s get back to Keller’s theory on the essential “call” to work. There is a story of work woven throughout human history, even pre-history from a biblical perspective. God himself worked to create everything and in the Garden of Eden declared work for Adam and Eve to do. Humans almost always derive meaning in relationship with one another and in their work.
Restlessness
Somewhere along our more recent development of a consumerist culture, work became a means to an end. It became a burden and a way of funding personal entertainment and leisure activities. Interestingly, satisfaction from these activities is regarded as fleeting, and so we seek more sources of fulfillment (mostly outside of work). We think, “Is that all there is?” There just must be more to work than merely a means to fund weekend activities. Work has the potential to be fun and to fill an intrinsic need for greater purpose.
The notion of vocation as presented by Martin Luther fostered a popular view of “calling”, meaning ultimately the use of our divinely given gifts in an occupation, volunteer activity, or ministry. Any way you look at it, humans seek connection to others and to activities. Meaningful activities give us pleasure and guide our sense of identity. We do want more out of employment than just a paycheck (though sometimes we allow the salary itself to guide our sense of self-worth).
Likely, the initial focus for a job change goal was to get out of an unpleasant situation. Now that we are several weeks in to 2024, the commitment to the needed changes might be lost in the daily demands and distractions. The focus required for a new habit to form often wanes. That doesn’t mean it’s time to abandon the goal. If it is a worthy change, it is time to recommit. What else is missing to get this goal done? If we have the intention to succeed, what is missing to move ahead?
Truth be told, the goal is probably still a good one in almost every case. The plan for change seems “fuzzy”. The commitment is shaky. Our daily demands distract us and we waver. Regret, and perhaps resignation can seep in. Then we feel stuck. Once again, you may wonder if you can get a new job or refurbish the one you have. You say to yourself, “Something has to change.” That is correct. But we all desire change without the effort. That’s human nature. So, ask yourself what makes the outcome worth your effort?
This year, “dabbling” to get out from under an unpleasant job isn’t good enough. A change that is within your control, and will result in a better work experience, focuses on a personal attitude adjustment. Attitude guides your sense of satisfaction in everything. Whether you are acting and making the changes needed to be more satisfied in your current role, or you are committing to find a new job, your attitude matters.
Maintaining a positive attitude is not easy, and sometimes help is needed to preserve the uplifted demeanor. If you seek professional support and resources, you can tap into is career coaching or career counseling. I am a degreed, professionally certified coach with 28 years of successful client results. Check out careermanagementstrategies.com to schedule a free initial consultation with me, and some free tools that will help get you started.