Some of the primary causes of job dissatisfaction, and some topline suggestions for addressing them, are listed here below:
COMPENSATION
Who doesn’t want to earn more money at their job? But recognize that some of the other factors listed below can have an equal, or even greater, impact on your job satisfaction. Nonetheless, you may succeed if you press for a raise at the right time and in the right circumstances (In other words, don’t lobby for an increase if your firm just lost a client or a source of funding, or if your boss is having a bad week!). Your case needs to rest on the value you are providing, NOT on industry averages or how long it’s been since your last raise or the fact that you just moved and have a higher mortgage. Emphasize concrete ways you are benefiting the organization, illustrating it with any numbers you can cite or significant qualitative examples such as client compliments, successful training of others, or positive publicity you helped generate.
Another suggestion – don’t overlook the possibility of earning some money on the side if you can improve your productivity and thereby free up a little time from your current schedule (see below). Opportunities range from tutoring to freelance consulting to selling items on eBay.
WORK/LIFE BALANCE, LOCATION AND COMMUTING
A fifty to sixty hour workweek isn’t something that most people enjoy; yet many workers routinely spend that much time at their jobs (plus commuting time, which can easily add another 10). There are, however, ways to effectively address this issue.
1. Organize better. Multi-tasking may feel like you’re whizzing ahead, but studies consistently show decreased productivity when several tasks are being attended to at the same time. Set priorities, calendar assignments, plan out work flow.
2. Delegate more. Yes, you may be able to do something better and faster than someone you have working for you, but if you don’t push them they will never grow. Hand-off some of your work.
3. Take care of yourself. Things like proper diet, adequate sleep, and exercise will increase your energy level and consequently your productivity, allowing you to spend less time working.
4. Explore the possibility of working remotely at least a few days a month. You’ll save on commuting time and may find that you are more productive in the absence of distractions that inevitably pop up at work. As always, try to craft an argument about how remote work can benefit not just you but your organization. Recognize, however, that you need to be disciplined if you’re working from home, and not allow the flexibility to do as you please sabotage good work habits.
COLLEAGUES
I often hear clients complain about working with difficult colleagues. Professional rivalry, racism, sexism, homophobia, or just plain personality clashes can make life at the job pretty miserable. One way of dealing with this scenario in certain (rare) cases is to ask for a transfer to a different department. A more broadly applicable strategy is to craft a win/win conversation in which you suggest to your difficult co-worker that there could be benefits in a more peaceful relationship. Those benefits could vary from sharing workload to teaming up to improve an organizational issue such as overly rigid departmental procedures, a micromanaging mutual boss, or crafting a strategy to deal with an obstreperous client. Please note that in order to maximize the chances that a strategy of reconciliation will work it needs to be sincerely proposed, so do the internal work necessary (counseling, self-affirmation, prayer, meditation, whatever) to get you into the right mental space.
ROUTINE
Many of my clients, particularly those in government, complain about the boring, routine nature of their work. It’s a lot easier to complain about this than to take action, but here are some steps I’d suggest exploring to liven up your day:
1. Stretch yourself and ask your boss for some additional and new responsibility that involves work that is more interesting/challenging. If the boss agrees (by no means a sure thing, of course) you will have to invest extra time to perform this new duty competently, but if you think of it as an investment that will improve the odds of your moving off of your boring or dead-end assignment it will be worth it.
2. If you’re in the government, consider requesting a “detail” to a short-term position involving work of greater interest. First you will need to explore detailing possibilities (some are posted, others can be identified through networking), followed by a persuasive argument as to why moving to this detail makes sense not just for you but for your superiors, who are unlikely to enthusiastically endorse losing body count, even if it’s temporary.
3. SHAKE THINGS UP! Redecorate your workspace. Rearrange your furniture. Take a walk outside. Drive a different route to work. Start earlier, leave earlier (or later/later). Instead of coffee and a danish try tea and a scone. Strike up a new acquaintance with a co-worker. Join a volunteer group within your organization (e.g. Department of Commerce, United Way, Marriott Walk to End Breast Cancer, AIDS, or Acme Manufacturing astronomy club).
