As a Career and Life Coach for many years, I am always amazed when I hear how many people hate their jobs. Research goes back to Napoleon Hill, who in 1927, published Law of Success. During Hill’s research for this book, he discovered that 80% of people do not like their job. Later in 1989, I read the same statistic in Choices by Shad Helmstetter and then in 2009 it showed up again as the same percentage – 80%.
So as I write this today, I checked our favorite research tool, Google, to see what showed up. I found that in 2010 in the Business Insider again stated 80% and most recently Gallup polled over 150,000 people in July 2015 and found that it is now reduced to 70%. We have made a little progress.
When working with clients who tell me they don’t like / hate their job, I always feel sad for them, then we add that to their list of goals – find a career / job that brings you joy.
Now I realize that it is not always possible to do that for varying reasons – what you want to do does not currently pay the income that is needed for your family or provide health benefits is usually what I hear. So we create a plan: Can you do this as a hobby so that you do have pleasure / passion in your life? Can you stay in this current job as an “in the meantime job,” while searching for the right job? Are you willing to take a risk to open your own business with a well thought out plan?
The most important lesson is to not stay in a job or with a company that drains you totally each day or each week, especially if you don’t have a hobby or volunteer experience that brings you joy.
Each time I hear someone tell me they hate their job or hate the company that they work with, it brings to mind this old song by Tennessee Ernie Ford, 16 Tons. If you’ve not heard it and don’t like your job, perhaps this can give you a bit of a wake-up call to make some changes; don’t sell your soul to the company store.
Give this some serious thought; then chose well.
Always remember, YOUR Chatter Matters
Margaret Martin © 2015
