Just exactly what is Job Satisfaction???

I thought I knew.  I thought that Job Satisfaction was the chance to go to work every day and do what you truly love doing!  It is... don't get me wrong.  But I'm learning every day that it's more than that.

Recently I had a former client call.  Over the years he has called me and asked me to provide some interesting services.  A few years ago, he called and said, "I have to reduce my overhead by $100,000.00.  I need you to tell me who to fire."  Another time he called and said, "I am considering selling the business.  I need you talk to the prospective buyer and ask the questions I haven't thought of."

This time he called and asked me to compare the services and rates of several Professional Employer Organizations and suggest which one he should use to save money and provide appropriate services.

Understand, these are not the normal elements of my service offerings.  I have a degree in communication science.  I'm a performance consultant.  I provide executive and career coaching.  I'm a trainer.

So, why, when he calls, do I put aside my standard fare and help him with his projects?  Because it creates a challenge for me.  It's something I haven't done before.  And that makes it fun... and interesting! 

Then, the other day, our youngest daughter told us that she was offered a golden opportunity at work.  A woman from another department, in another role, is going on maternity leave.  Knowing that a "temp" would require twice the amount of time to train that she will be gone on maternity leave, she asked our daughter to 'temp' in her position while she's away.  Her thought was that the company could hire a temp for our daughter's role much more easily than hers.  Our daughter was thrilled!  She said she would love the opportunity to try something different, even for as short a time as 6 weeks!

That's when it dawned on me... job satisfaction isn't just about doing what you love to do every day.  It's about new challenges, different opportunities, varied experiences, and the chance to do something completely out of the norm.

So take the time to look for something a little different... something new and different!  It's quite possible you'll find job satisfaction there too!

How can you find your passion?

What is passion?  Excitement, enthusiasm, fervor, zeal... WOW!  How much fun would it be to get up every morning and feel those things?!  When was the last time you swung your feet out of bed, put them on the floor, and 'hit the ground running' because you felt excitement about what you were going to do today?  And it WASN'T a vacation day. 

Finding your passion is almost as easy as finding loose change in the sofa.  It takes a bit of digging, but it's really not all that difficult to find.

More years ago than I wish to admit, I was a public relations director for an interstate motorcoach company.  It was one of the best jobs I ever had!  I truly looked forward to going to work every day.  And why?  Because I got to work with other people who truly loved what they were doing.  I also provided a service by organizing wonderful get-away vacations for senior citizens who loved to take bus trips with groups of their friends. 

And best of all, I had the opportunity to provide a public service to nursing home patients by organizing day trips through the fall colors, or to view the spring blossoms for those individuals who may not see more than the walls of their hospital rooms for the rest of their lives.

I felt fulfilled.  I felt complete.  I felt useful and contributive.  And I was happy!

My passion is helping people.  I was a school teacher and a trainer.  I am a career coach, an executive coach, a business consultant to small business owners.  I love working with people.  Helping people.  So, each and every job I have had has been a reflection of that passion.

So, you're looking for your passion?  Take a moment for some self-examination.  Ask yourself:

• in each job I've had, what has truly made me feel useful?
• the last time I came home tired but happy, what made me feel that way?
• what do I believe success looks like for me?
• am I passionate about people?  service?  building things?  using my hands or my brain?
• what motivates me?  what makes me happy?

Make a list of the things that really excites you in each of your jobs.  Chances are, that's where you'll find your passion.