| Job satisfaction seems like a dream to some. It is | | | | Values are the real key to job satisfaction. What I |
| amazing to me how many people really hate the | | | | mean by values are those activities and feelings |
| job that they have. Feeling stuck can really make | | | | that most important to you. Examples would be: |
| you feel depressed and discouraged. It is difficult | | | | learning, contributing, teaching, and creating. |
| to find a way out. | | | | For example someone who values collaborating |
| If you are someone who is unhappy at his/her | | | | might volunteer for a project where he/she |
| current job, try making a list of what you hate | | | | works on a team. Someone else who values |
| about it. There is passion and energy in "hating" | | | | teaching might find a way to mentor a new |
| something. Use that energy to get it all down on | | | | employee or teach something to his/her |
| paper once and for all! | | | | colleagues. |
| Once you have completed your list start to ask | | | | By identifying your own values you will see where |
| yourself what you could do right now to improve | | | | you can apply them at work. Being aligned with |
| the situation. Go over each item on your list | | | | your values leads to a more meaningful and |
| looking for ways to deal with it. For example | | | | fulfilling experience on the job. |
| someone who hates his long commute might | | | | Finally many people are just bored with their job. |
| decide to leave home earlier to avoid the traffic | | | | A client once told me he could do his job in his |
| and shorten the commute. | | | | sleep. He knew exactly what was going to happen |
| One client that I worked with was self employed. | | | | every day including who was going to call on a |
| He hated the fluctuations in cash flow that are | | | | Friday afternoon with a big problem. |
| part of a business. He often had to borrow | | | | This client decided to volunteer for a new project |
| money to live on. To fix this he was able to set | | | | introducing a new system. By working with a |
| up a monthly salary schedule. By saving money in | | | | different team he developed a new skill, met new |
| good months he had money for lean months. | | | | people and felt re-energized. While his job still |
| Just small changes to those irritants in your | | | | wasn't perfect the new project did a lot to make |
| current position can increase your job satisfaction | | | | his work more satisfying. |
| level so go ahead and try coming up with | | | | Often when people are unhappy in their job they |
| solutions for each entry on the list. | | | | blame the company, their boss or their colleagues. |
| Need some help? Try talking to a friend or a | | | | Each of us is responsible for our own happiness. If |
| coach. | | | | you are feeling dissatisfied with your job, try |
| Once you have come up with as many solutions | | | | these three methods to improve your satisfaction |
| as you can, focus your attention on your values. | | | | level. |