The results are in! GALLUP's survey, State of the American Workplace: 2010 - 2012, reports that 70 percent of workers in the United States are not engaged or are actively disengaged in their work!
The term "actively disengaged" refers to those employees who are emotionally disconnected from their companies and, as such, more likely to miss work and negatively influence coworkers and/or customers.
Participants in the study who were at the beginning and the end of their careers tended to be the most engaged in their work. So, what does that mean for everyone else who is floating somewhere in the middle?
Tips for becoming more engaged in your work:
Focus on your strengths. If you aren't using your strengths in your work, maybe it's time to let your boss know what your strengths are and how they might best be utilized. Per GALLUP's research, people who used their strengths everyday were six times more likely to be engaged at work. As clinician's we help our clients identify their strengths. Have you been ignoring yours?
Know your roles and responsibilities and make sure you have the right tools and training to do your job. If your role and responsibilities at work are unclear, you may need assistance from your supervisor to identify what they are. If you are taking on other peoples responsibilities, it may be time to speak up and let them carry the load for themselves. If you don't have the training that you need for the types of clients that you are working with then it's time to find the training that you need and seek supervision from someone who has the experience to guide you.
Be friendly and practice gratitude. Everyday is another opportunity to build relationships with your co-workers and clients. Practice gratitude by focusing on the positives in your work environment. If there aren't too many positives, and you've tried to change things, it may be time to look for a job and a work environment that will build you up instead of tear you down.
If you are one of the 70 percent who are experiencing dissatisfaction with your job, you might want to ask yourself the following questions. Share your responses with a friend or trusted peer if you need to process things.
What do I get out of my role or job?
What do I contribute to my job, my team and my company?
Do I belong in this job and with this company? Do I have the ability to learn, grow and input my ideas here?
Based on your answers, you might find that you are able to tweak a few minor things at work that will increase your level of work satisfaction.
You may find that you are not able to change your responsibilities or a work situation that creates dissatisfaction but you may be able to make peace with it, especially if you can find the benefits that the job provides you with right now.
Benefits might mean a decent salary that allows you to save a nest egg or pay off student loans, health insurance, educational or training opportunities, or a flexible schedule. As a registered intern working towards mental health licensure, I remember the pay wasn't the best but I was getting the direct client contact hours and supervision I needed, plus some great experience conducting individual, group and couples counseling. The work experience I gained during that time definitely outweighed the low salary I received.
The term "actively disengaged" refers to those employees who are emotionally disconnected from their companies and, as such, more likely to miss work and negatively influence coworkers and/or customers.
Participants in the study who were at the beginning and the end of their careers tended to be the most engaged in their work. So, what does that mean for everyone else who is floating somewhere in the middle?
Tips for becoming more engaged in your work:
Focus on your strengths. If you aren't using your strengths in your work, maybe it's time to let your boss know what your strengths are and how they might best be utilized. Per GALLUP's research, people who used their strengths everyday were six times more likely to be engaged at work. As clinician's we help our clients identify their strengths. Have you been ignoring yours?
Know your roles and responsibilities and make sure you have the right tools and training to do your job. If your role and responsibilities at work are unclear, you may need assistance from your supervisor to identify what they are. If you are taking on other peoples responsibilities, it may be time to speak up and let them carry the load for themselves. If you don't have the training that you need for the types of clients that you are working with then it's time to find the training that you need and seek supervision from someone who has the experience to guide you.
Be friendly and practice gratitude. Everyday is another opportunity to build relationships with your co-workers and clients. Practice gratitude by focusing on the positives in your work environment. If there aren't too many positives, and you've tried to change things, it may be time to look for a job and a work environment that will build you up instead of tear you down.
If you are one of the 70 percent who are experiencing dissatisfaction with your job, you might want to ask yourself the following questions. Share your responses with a friend or trusted peer if you need to process things.
What do I get out of my role or job?
What do I contribute to my job, my team and my company?
Do I belong in this job and with this company? Do I have the ability to learn, grow and input my ideas here?
Based on your answers, you might find that you are able to tweak a few minor things at work that will increase your level of work satisfaction.
You may find that you are not able to change your responsibilities or a work situation that creates dissatisfaction but you may be able to make peace with it, especially if you can find the benefits that the job provides you with right now.
Benefits might mean a decent salary that allows you to save a nest egg or pay off student loans, health insurance, educational or training opportunities, or a flexible schedule. As a registered intern working towards mental health licensure, I remember the pay wasn't the best but I was getting the direct client contact hours and supervision I needed, plus some great experience conducting individual, group and couples counseling. The work experience I gained during that time definitely outweighed the low salary I received.
After evaluating your responses to the questions above, you
may find that the negatives of your work completely outweigh the
positives and it's time for you to look elsewhere for job
satisfaction. If so, it's time to happily update that resume and start
networking because staying in a job that makes you miserable is just
unhealthy.
Choose Wellness!
