Carolyn Black's List: Job Satisfaction Paper

• Identify Your Satisfaction Triggers

   

  There are three basic approaches to work: is   it a job, a career, or a passion? Depending on which type of work   you are in right now, the things that give you satisfaction will   vary.

   
   
  • If you work at a JOB, the compensation aspects   of the position will probably hold more appeal than anything   else, and have the greatest impact on whether you stay or go.
   
  • If you work at a CAREER, you are looking for promotions and   career development opportunities. Your overall satisfaction is   typically linked with your status, power, or position.
   
  • If you work at a PASSION, the work itself is   the factor that determines your satisfaction, regardless of   money, prestige, or control.
   
   

  Inevitably, these are generalizations, and you   will probably find that you get satisfaction from more than one   approach to work. Being aware of the type of work you are doing,   and the things you need for job satisfaction, will help you to   identify and adjust your satisfaction expectations accordingly.

• Building Job Satisfaction

   

  Once you have identified the blend of status,   power, or intrinsic enjoyment that need to be present in your work   for you to feel satisfied, you then need to work on some of our   seven 'ingredients' for a satisfying job. These ingredients   are:

   
   
  • Self-awareness.
   
  • Challenge.
   
  • Variety.
   
  • Positive attitude.
   
  • Knowing your options.
   
  • Balanced lifestyle.
   
  • A sense of purpose.
• Self-Awareness
• The first step in the search for job satisfaction is to know   yourself. If you're to be happy and successful, you need to   understand your strengths and weaknesses.
• Challenge
• Even if the job itself is not all that challenging, you can make   it challenging. Some great ideas here include:
• • Set performance standards for yourself –   aim to beat your previous record, or set up a friendly   competition among co-workers.
     
  • Teach others your skills – nothing is more   challenging, or rewarding, than passing your skills and   knowledge on to others.
     
  • Ask for new responsibilities – these will   give you opportunities to stretch yourself.
     
  • Start or take on a project that uses skills   you would like to use, or want to improve.
     
  • Commit to professional development – take courses, read books or   trade magazines and attend seminars. However you do it, keep your   skills fresh and current.
   
   

  Variety
• • Cross train and learn new skills.
     
  • Ask to be moved to a new assignment or   department requiring the same skills.
     
  • Ask to work a different shift.
     
  • Volunteer to take on new tasks.
     
  • Get involved with committee work.
     
  • Go on an extended leave, or take a sabbatical.
• Positive Attitude
• • Stop negative thoughts from entering your   brain.
   
  • Reframe your thoughts to the positive.
   
  • Put the events of the day in the correct   context.
   
  • Don't dwell on setbacks.
   
  • Commit to viewing obstacles as challenges.
   
  • Accept that mistakes are simply   opportunities to learn.
   
  • Become an optimist.
• Know Your Options
• • Keep a list of your accomplishments.
   
  • Update your resume on a regular basis.
   
  • Keep up to date on employment trends.
   
  • Research other jobs that interest you.
   
  • Adopt an 'I’m keeping my options open' approach.
• Maintain a Balanced Lifestyle
• Find a Sense of Purpose
• Last, but certainly not least (for many people) is the need to   find a sense of purpose in the things you do. Even if you have a   boring job, it helps a lot if you can see the real benefit you're   providing for people.

13 more annotations...

• 7. Organisational support
• • Good one from managers perspective!