By Gwen Kesten, Ph.D., Solutions EAP Coordinator-Middlesex Hospital

Most of us spend a substantial portion of our time in the workplace. We devote significant emotional, intellectual, and physical energy to our jobs. Unfortunately, in the United States only about 50% of employees report that they are satisfied with their work.

Consistent with what we’ve addressed in TIPS segments thus far a satisfying work experience is usually one in which we find pleasure and meaning and one that we feel utilizes our strengths. It can be useful to inventory the kinds of things that you personally enjoy and find meaningful to see where they overlap. Next ask yourself the following questions.

*  What are my strengths?
*  What tasks / functions can I perform in my workplace? Which ones take advantage of my strengths, while providing pleasure and meaning?
*  How can I highlight these?
*  Can I focus more time on these types of tasks?
*  Can I approach certain other work functions with extra attention to these factors?
*  In which specific work situations have I felt fulfilled? What about those situations can I recreate?

Answering these questions can help you take more control over the way you do your work and bring enhanced job satisfaction. Understand that the answers to these questions will likely change over time, so conducting this inventory is not a “one-shot deal,” but rather a process that should be an ongoing activity. The important thing is to keep asking the questions and to think about your answers. They may lead you to try new approaches. Some will be extremely gratifying. Some will lead to dead ends. Remember, dead ends provide valuable information that can help you discover more fruitful paths. Ben-Shahar relates a story in which an interviewer speaks to Thomas Edison as Edison is working on one of his inventions. The interviewer exclaimed, “Edison, you have failed a thousand times; give it up.” Edison responded, “I haven’t failed a thousand times; I’ve succeeded a thousand times. I’ve succeeded in showing what doesn’t work…I failed my way to success.”

Call Solutions EAP at 1-800-526-3485 for assistance for all of life's challenges.
It’s free, confidential and open to your family members.
Check us out on-line at
http://www.solutions-eap.com<http://www.solutions-eap.com/>

George "Bud" Wassell, MS, LPC, CEAP
Director, Solutions EAP
213 Court Street
Middletown, CT 06457
800-526-3485
fax: 860-704-6221
www.solutions-eap.com<http://www.solutions-eap.com/>