As I was reading Saving the World at Work
by Tim Sanders last night, I came across an interesting statistic. (This is on page 136, if you’re reading along at home.) According to a recent Gallup poll, 70 percent of American workers hate their jobs. Seventy percent. And the primary sources of this misery? Anonymity, irrelevance, and “immeasurement.”
These workers feel that they are not being valued as human beings, they are not making a difference in the lives of others, and they cannot assess for themselves their contribution to the overall success of the company. In short, they do not feel that they matter. As a result, it becomes impossible to feel a sense of accomplishment. This is why acknowledgment and recognition are so important, not only for conventional employees, but also for freelancers and other work-from-home entrepreneurs.
Staying Motivated, Staying on Task
One of the greatest challenges that you will encounter with just about any kind of job is the issue of motivation. How can you possibly stay on task and do the absolute best that you can do if you have no real motivation to do so? This comes from staying focused and understanding why you are doing what you are doing. This goes far beyond simply earning a living wage.
Setting specific and measurable goals can help you take your career to the next level. It is much easier to stay on task when you have a goal in mind. It is much easier to stay motivated when you can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Recognizing and Rewarding Your Accomplishments
When you establish these goals, you should keep several criteria in mind. First, you should ask yourself why this goal is important to you. What value would its achievement bring to your life? Second, think about how achieving this goal can improve the lives of others or make the world a better place in some way. Third, place the specific goal in the measurable context of the bigger picture, seeing how it would contribute to the greater overall success of your company and the greater good in general.
By doing so, you address the three main sources of misery for the unhappy worker. By doing so, you have a much greater chance of feeling fulfilled and accomplished. Remember that you don’t have to end world hunger or solve the credit crisis to feel like this sense of fulfillment in your life. Instead, think about how the little things are impacting those around you. Recognize your contribution and reward yourself when you accomplish your goals.
Understanding Why You Matter
Remember that you matter, even if you feel that your role is largely insignificant. The custodian at a school ensures that the children are learning in a safe and sanitary environment. The secretary at an office makes sure that outside parties are able to communicate with associates effectively, furthering the success of everyone involved. As a tech reporter, I help educate the public on the latest innovations and help them make better buying decisions.
Recognize and acknowledge your contribution to your company and to the world. It may sound obvious, but sometimes, you need to stop for a moment and reflect on why you matter. Because you do. Two thumbs up.
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