State of the Union
I was heartened by most of what President Obama shared on Thursday concerning the job market in 2010, as we face 10% rate and attempt to recover the 7 million jobs lost of the past two years. He laid out specific actions for stimulating new jobs, including diverting more capital from banks to small businesses, government “green job” projects, and helping big business seek out new markets by increasing exports.
However, I believe anyone addressing this issue should consider more than job creation, they should consider job happiness. In a study released this month by the conference board, only 45% of Americans are satisfied with their work, the lowest rate since this study began 22 years ago.
Economists report that this job satisfaction trend will stifle innovation, and hurt America’s competitiveness and productivity if it continues. I believe it has hurt us already and we need to improve satisfaction at work while we create jobs. However, we cannot depend on our government to fix this. It is up to us.
So if you are concerned about our economy and want to help, here are some suggestions to get you started.
1. If you are unhappy with your current occupation, seek help in formulating a plan to change to a more appealing career path.
2. If you are consistently stressed with your employment situation, and find yourself unmotivated at work, challenge yourself to do the best you can with what you have. Not only will this help with your overall productivity and morale on the job, but with your self-esteem as well.
3. If you love what you do, try and help others follow their dreams. Make it your business to share your good fortune and become a mentor.
4. If you are a boss, strive to be a better boss. Some morale problems can stem from your style of management and attitude towards your employees. Work hard at creating an atmosphere that is a balance of happy and productive. Consider seeking training or coaching if you do not know how to do this on your own.
