Get a job you like – or become grit in the machine
5th March 2007
I have heard some people say it’s not important to enjoy your work – as work is merely a means to an end – the salary; but this view fails to recognise a number of negative consequences on people and the business.
Over many years of running personal development programmes for people in business we have noticed some common traits among people who dislike their job, but stick at it regardless. A person who dislikes their job is highly likely to:
- Focus their attention inward and develop negative internal dialogue.
- Avoid communicating with others, only communicating where it is unavoidable.
- Increasingly see problems instead of challenges.
- Do not seek opportunities for themselves, or the business.
- Become increasingly insular in their work style.
- Become distracted easily due to a lack of positive focus.
- Habitually think negatively about their tasks and rarely think of how they can make improvements.
- Put blame and problems on other people and processes, not themselves.
- Get highly stressed which can lead to physical illness.
- Frequently take time off sick due to stress-related illness.
- React to change and difference with pessimism.
When you look at companies who pay attention to job satisfaction and make sure that people are suited to the jobs they do, you tend to find high levels of productivity, growth and creativity. Check any list of top companies to work for and you will see that long-term success tends to correlate with high levels of job satisfaction.
The only people who like pessimists are other pessimists. If the people in your company who are responsible for recruitment and selection do not understand the importance of job satisfaction you can end up with teams of pessimists whose main motivation at work is to avoid as much contact with others, and/or as much responsibility as possible.
Responsibility and authority are best given to people who have a positive outlook for the business, and will be pro-actively looking for ways to make improvements. These are the people who are most likely to be communicating frequently with others and not tied up with their own personal issues.
When your work seems to be a constant struggle; when people don’t take notice of you; when stress and tiredness hit you late-afternoon; when you get overlooked for promotion – all these signs point to a lack of job satisfaction. It’s probably time to look around for something more fulfilling to do.
When you enjoy your job you are much more likely to be able to focus and concentrate; to communicate and cooperate with other people; to still have energy at the end of the day; to be noticed and put forward for other jobs or promotion.
At Quadrant 1 International we believe job satisfaction is a core foundation for running a successful business, which can be thought of as a machine. People who dislike their work are like grit in the machine, grinding the cogs and slowing it down, whilst those who thrive on what they do are oiling it and making it run smoothly.
David Molden
