Only 3 Things You Need to Make Your Job Wonderful
Millions of words have been written and spoken about the conditions, environment, and management attitude that encourage employees to be content in the workplace. If you read everything that’s been written, you might become more confused than clear about whether you have the right job.
There Is No Single Right or Wrong Job
While there are no right or wrong jobs, there is a “best job for you.” It’s important to understand the difference. For example, working on an oil derrick in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico may not be right for you, yet for hundreds of people who have these jobs, these careers may be the best ones for them.
Those that love the outdoors and physical labor may absolutely hate working in the otherwise tasteful confines of a bank, sitting behind a desk. Conversely, others with a distaste for insects and wildlife or for whom strapping on a tool belt is on a par with visiting a dentist who disregards Novocain, a pleasant, comfortable bank lobby may be the perfect job setting.
More important than all the philosophies, techniques, and sometimes contradictory tips created to help you evaluate the quality of your job, is the “match” of your personality to your job description. The key, according to experts like Paul Tieger, author of the career guide, “Do What You Are,” is to learn who you are inside. Once you accomplish this, sometimes very challenging, you can then use this knowledge to evaluate your current job and career.
What You Really Need to Have a Great Job
Author Penelope Trunk offers a new and simpler theory. She believes you need only three things, conditions, and attitudes to make your job, whatever it is, into the right place at the right time for you. While her approach might horrify those observers who espouse complex psychological or management theories, Ms. Trunk’s views make sense in their simplicity and importance.
Here are the only things you really need to enjoy your job:
- Some control over your workplace environment. Whether you are a neatnik or prefer your area to display more of a “controlled chaos” look, having a feeling of control helps you enjoy your work day.
- A measure of control over your workload. Some people work fast; others tend to take more time. Some workers love deadlines to perform their best work; others despise deadlines and create undue pressure on themselves. Ms. Trunk believes that these personal differences are not overly important. However, having some control over your workload is a critical component of job enjoyment and fulfillment. That feeling of control gives you a sense of empowerment and confidence to perform—happily—at high levels.
- Having challenging, but achievable goals to address. Goals are effective for everyone, whether they are self-set or management established. Employees experience pleasure or fear, depending on the realistic possibly of achievement. Facing goals that you view as impossible will not encourage, ignite, or energize your work day. They are more likely to generate unhappiness, depression, and negative self-image than create inspiration. However, having challenging goals, that are attainable if you perform, can bring interest and enjoyment to the workplace.
If you are missing even one of these components, you might consider changing jobs. You will, however, feel more confident if you first examine that which is missing and attempt to create the condition. You may not have the power or ability to do so, but you can try.
Should your job displeasure also include a career or industry dissatisfaction, you may also need to consider a career change. Think about this carefully. While changing jobs is challenging, a career change is exponentially more difficult. Along with the time requirement, job changes are emotionally frustrating before they become rewarding.
After spending quality time analyzing who you are and how your current job matches your personality, you may decide to take all actions to improve your current workplace situation. You might also choose to make a job or career change. You will hopefully choose the best answer for you.
Understanding the conditions noted above should help you evaluate your current job situation. You’ll learn whether or not your environment is correctable or not. Once you make a determination, take action. If you decide you’re happy at your job, stay there. Should you decide a change is necessary, prepare your resume, dedicate sufficient time to find the right job for you, prepare your emotions for the typical rollercoaster ride of a job search, consult with top search firms, like Kelly Services, and commit to seeking the best opportunity for your personality and skills.