It is common for a worker to know at different times throughout their working years that they have hit a rut. Their energy is leaking, enthusiasm is waning, anxieties are building, and performance is suffering. Questions arise in the self-dialogue pointing to serious doubts about their job. Eventually, the feelings of dissatisfaction mount and the worker becomes faced with a dualistic and existential choice concerning their job — should they stay or should they go.
In this piece I would like to review the signs and the nature of employment discontent in hopes that an analysis of the topic may yield a useful suggestion or at least a degree of solace for those undergoing job disgruntlement. Given my encouragement of purpose as a prime motivator for what leads to job satisfaction, I turn to writer and speaker John Coleman, who examines the value of purpose in work and life, to see what his latest thinking is on the subject.
Feeling purpose is fundamental to work contentment. Without it our efforts seem to be adrift and our self-confidence diminishes. Coleman highlights several indicators to be mindful of while on the job. These signals carry meaning concerning the problem of work frustration. When they are present one should consider themselves forewarned. What follows is an amalgamation of considerations from Coleman’s writing.
Avoidance: We all have the odd day when we do not feel like going to work. But if this feeling is becoming chronic and frequent, then something about the job is amiss. Procrastination is a form of indecisiveness. Postponing or hesitating to make important decisions because your heart is not into it or you are fearful about possible outcomes is a sign a change needs to be made.
Growth: As we spend considerable time on a job we generally enjoy noticing the skill development and emotional lift that comes from feeling we are growing both as a subject matter expert and as a person. Building mastery in an area should be a cause for celebration. If it is not, then it probably means growth has stalled and you no longer feel as if you are providing employer or customer value.
Achievement: Related to the issue of growth is the concern about whether your original career goals for this job have been achieved. If they have, perhaps your job is no longer delivering adequate challenges or breakthroughs. Periodically, it is a good idea to reflect and assess if the objectives you set for yourself when initiating the employment have been met or not. If so, why are you staying in your role?
Workplace: Could the work environment in which you are functioning be the cause of your job angst? It is possible that an accumulated toll could be robbing you of your energy and enthusiasm due to a workplace which is toxic, unnecessarily stressful, or encouraging you to operate in ways contrary to your values. It is imperative to feel that you have and can sustain integrity and a positive character at work.
Maybe the change you need, if any of the above difficulties arise, does not require necessarily leaving your current employer, but could instead involve trying to practice what Coleman describes as “job crafting”. It is worth exploring with your employer if they can give you a degree of latitude to make adjustments to the way in which you meet your employer’s goals.
Having a manager that is willing to engage in some employee development with you such that you can continue to satisfy the responsibilities for which you were hired, while also remediating the liabilities causing your discontent, could be a win-win.
Life is too short to feel stuck in a job that does not bring happiness. You owe it to yourself and your career to be placed in a position in which you can thrive.
