Not Happy with Your Job? Get “Unstuck”

Feeling “stuck” at work? According to a 2014 report by the Conference Board, the majority of Americans (52.3%) are unhappy on the job. If you are part of this unfulfilled majority, make 2016 the year that you take back control of your 8-to-5 happiness. Read on for a simple equation to help you discover what may be holding you back from job fulfillment, and small actions you can take to help you get “unstuck” and move you closer to achieving greater happiness at work.

A Simple Equation for Thriving on the Job

Thriving = Alignment of Your Strengths + Your Interests + Others’ Needs

Strengths – What are you good at? In what situations do you excel? What are your natural “gifts”?

Interests – What are you passionate about? What matters most to you? When do you feel you are at your best?

Needs* – What do your stakeholders expect from you? What does the organization need most from you? What does your team need most from you?

*Includes both results (what you do) and behaviors (how you do things)

Surviving = Your Strengths + Others’ Needs – Your Interests

What’s happening? You show up to work for the paycheck or some other feeling of obligation, but you don’t enjoy your job or being at work.

What’s missing? In this all-too-common scenario, your strengths and what others/ the organization need(s) from you aren’t aligned with your interests, what you are passionate about, or what you need to stay motivated/engaged.

What’s the solution?

• Find ways to get your interests/needs better met in your current role. If it’s the work itself that you find lackluster, seek out new responsibilities, stretch assignments, or initiatives that align with what you care about. If it’s the job environment that doesn’t meet your needs, you may wish to have a candid conversation with someone you trust – your manager, HR, a mentor – about what you feel you need, whether your expectations are realistic, and how you can get those needs better met on the job.
• Look for other opportunities that match your strengths but better align with your interests/needs. If you try to find ways to get your interests/needs better met on the job and you still feel stuck, it may be time to look for other opportunities. Just remember: if you pursue greener pastures, the needs of the job and the organization should align with your strengths and your interests.

Playing = Your Strengths + Your Interests – Others’ Needs

What’s happening? You pursue what you love and what you’re good at, but you have trouble finding a way to turn this into a valued contribution or make this pay the bills.

What’s missing? Connecting your strengths and passions to a need. Here, you want to find a way to turn a hobby or passion project into a contribution to society or a revenue-producing endeavor.

What’s the solution? Find an opportunity or create one. Ask yourself: Who could most stand to benefit from what you have to offer? Seek out mentors who do what you want to do and ask them for their advice. A cup of coffee is a small price to pay to find fulfillment.

Underperforming = Your Interests + Others’ Needs – Your Strengths

What’s happening? You’re passionate about your work/your organization, but you just can’t seem to live up to expectations.

What’s missing? You’re getting your needs met, but others who rely on you at work aren’t.

What’s the solution?

• Clarify expectations. Have a candid conversation with your boss: What does the organization need most from me? What does the team need most from me? What do I need to start, stop, and continue doing to meet expectations? Remember: Expectations include desired results (what you do) and behaviors (how you act). Then have an honest conversation with yourself: Are these needs that you can realistically meet?
• Close the gap. Once you clearly understand the expectations, and you feel these are needs you can realistically meet, determine where the skill gaps are that you need to close. What kind of education, training, or support do you need to close the gap? Talk with your boss or HR to identify development resources to help you get to where you need to be.
• Look for other opportunities that better align with your strengths, while still meeting your and others’ needs. If you follow the steps above and you still feel stuck, it may be time to look for other opportunities. Just remember: if you look elsewhere, the needs of the job and the organization should align with your strengths and your interests.

Finding job fulfillment isn’t always about making drastic moves. Often, it’s the little things that can make a huge impact on your happiness, like initiating a conversation to clarify what others expect from you or to communicate what you need to make your work life more enjoyable.

Ultimately, it’s up to you. Are you content with being discontent? Or is today the day you take back control of your happiness?

If you’re looking for more resources on how to discover and better align your strengths, interests, and needs on the job, contact me to learn more about CMA career assessments and coaching services.

Written by: Kelly Reed