Podcast Summary
Job dissatisfaction, memory processing: Job dissatisfaction is prevalent in the U.S. workforce and can be addressed by identifying root causes, while memory processing research reveals potential solutions for enhancing job satisfaction and overall well-being.
Our relationship with our jobs and work in general can often leave us feeling unfulfilled and disengaged. According to a recent Gallup survey, this sentiment is increasingly common in the U.S. workforce. Psychology professor Tessa West, author of "Job Therapy," offers advice on how to identify the root causes of job dissatisfaction and move forward. Meanwhile, in the realm of technology, the brain's ability to process memories is a topic of ongoing research. AI is a potential solution to climate issues, but also poses challenges. Looking ahead, the concept of leadership continues to evolve. For those seeking to improve their careers or navigate the complexities of modern life, podcasts like "Job Therapy," Chasing Life," and "MindShift" offer valuable insights and practical solutions.
New perspectives, Careers: Explore new perspectives for your summer read with NPR's Book of the Day podcast and address complex emotions in your career through therapy.
When it comes to choosing a book for your summer read or addressing feelings of discontent at work, consider exploring new perspectives through podcasts and therapy, respectively. NPR's Book of the Day podcast can help you discover your next great read, while therapy can provide insights into the complex emotions surrounding your career. Research suggests that people's feelings about their jobs can mirror those in relationships, yet we often focus only on structural solutions, such as remote work or compensation packages. Therapy, on the other hand, allows us to process the messy emotions that may be underlying our career dissatisfaction, such as ambivalence and identity crises. By embracing these emotions and understanding their roots, we may be better equipped to make meaningful changes in our careers.
Emotional complexities in work: Understanding and addressing emotional complexities in work can help us approach our careers with a therapeutic mindset, allowing us to process and grow from our experiences.
Our feelings towards work can be complex and multifaceted, just like in our personal lives. It's normal to have mixed emotions and for the job to feel confusing or unsatisfying at times. For instance, Tricia Baker, a former school psychologist, shared her experience of drifting apart from her job due to a mismatch between her expectations and the day-to-day realities. This disconnect led her to a crisis of identity, as she realized her true passion lay in more hands-on therapeutic roles. Understanding and addressing these emotional complexities can help us approach our careers with a therapeutic mindset, allowing us to process and grow from our experiences.
Work-Personal Identity Balance: Maintaining a healthy balance between work and personal identity is essential for overall well-being and satisfaction. Misalignment between career demands and personal desires can lead to workplace unhappiness and burnout. Effective communication with employers is crucial to address any overwhelm and find a solution.
Our identity and sense of self-worth are deeply intertwined with our work and careers, and this is a normal and natural part of the human experience. Many of us spend more time at work than at home, so it's no surprise that our work lives significantly impact how we view ourselves. However, it's important to ensure that there is a healthy balance between our work identity and our personal identity. If there is a mismatch between what our career is asking of us and what we want to give, it can lead to workplace unhappiness and feelings of burnout. It's crucial to communicate with our employers if we feel overwhelmed and unable to deliver our best work while juggling multiple responsibilities. Ultimately, finding a balance between our work and personal lives is essential for overall well-being and satisfaction.
Work recognition: Ask your boss for recognition of your voluntary work to aid in career growth, seek feedback, and consider the importance of appreciation in overall happiness.
It's essential to ensure the work you're doing, especially if it's voluntary and not officially recognized, contributes to your career growth. This means asking your boss or manager if the work will be considered during decision-making processes. Seeking feedback and looking for patterns in responses can help you identify the most effective path to advancement. It's also crucial to consider whether our need for appreciation at work significantly impacts our overall happiness and if there are other areas of our lives where we can find fulfillment and recognition. Remember, being proactive and asking for guidance from trusted colleagues can provide valuable insights and help you stay focused on your professional goals.
Interpersonal skills: Recognizing and valuing interpersonal skills beyond work performance can enhance self-esteem and overall well-being. Practical steps like morning and evening stress tests can improve self-awareness and resilience.
Relying solely on work performance for self-esteem can be risky. It's essential to recognize and value other sources of self-worth, particularly interpersonal skills. These skills, such as building relationships and teaching hidden curriculum, can significantly enhance self-esteem and overall well-being. Tess's book offers practical steps to develop these skills, including a morning and evening stress test. By identifying anticipated and actual stressors, individuals can better understand their triggers and develop coping mechanisms. This simple yet effective exercise can lead to improved self-awareness and resilience in the workplace.
Stress Management, Job Change: Documenting stressors and practicing mindfulness can improve mental and emotional wellbeing. When changing jobs, focusing on transferable skills can boost confidence and impact.
Being mindful of your stressors and proactively managing them can help reduce the overall impact on your mental and emotional wellbeing, even if the stressors themselves don't seem as daunting in the moment. It's important to document these stressors regularly to identify patterns and better understand your own unique triggers. Additionally, when considering a job change, it's essential to reflect on the skills you bring to the table and how you can apply them in a new context. This can be achieved through exercises like the "three things" exercise, which involves listing the skills you possess, how you execute them, and the context in which you do so. By focusing on the transferable aspects of your abilities, you can approach a new job with confidence and a clear understanding of how to make a positive impact.
Skills reflection in career transition: Identify desired skills for career transition, but be aware that administrative tasks might persist in new roles, network and ask questions to gain insights before making a decision.
When considering a career transition, it's essential to identify and reflect on the specific skills you want to bring with you. This exercise can help clarify what you truly enjoy and want from your day-to-day work. However, many people may feel stuck in their current roles due to excessive administrative tasks and paperwork. It's crucial to remember that these issues might not be unique to your current job and may persist in other roles. Ultimately, networking and asking questions are key to gaining insights into potential new careers and making an informed decision. Unfortunately, many people don't realize this and may feel hesitant to leave their current jobs for fear of encountering similar challenges elsewhere. To overcome this, reach out to professionals in your desired field and ask them about their experiences to make an informed decision.
Job transition decision making: Gather accurate information about the role and hidden curriculum before making a heart vs head decision about leaving a job, and consider taking small steps towards your goal to make a more informed decision.
Before making a decision to leave a job based on heart versus head, individuals should gather accurate information about the role they are considering. This can be achieved by speaking with people already in the field and learning about the hidden curriculum, including administrative tasks that may take up a significant portion of the job. It's essential to understand the practicalities of the role to ensure it aligns with both your emotional passion and the realities of the position. Additionally, taking small steps towards your goal, such as researching, networking, or even taking courses, can help you make a more informed decision and ultimately lead to a fulfilling career.
Career alignment: Communicate with your employer for feedback, identify stressors, and complete the 'three things' exercise to align practical and emotional needs at work for a more fulfilling career
Work can be complex and it's normal to have mixed feelings about your job. Tessa West, a career coach, suggests taking small steps to align your practical and emotional needs at work. First, ensure your job is moving in a direction you want. Communicate with your employer for feedback and confirm that your daily tasks contribute to your desired promotion. Second, identify your sources of stress and dissatisfaction through a daily stress test. Lastly, consider what skills you want to bring to your next job by completing the "three things" exercise. Embrace the complexity of work, communicate effectively, and identify your career goals for a more fulfilling professional journey. For more career advice, listen to LifeKit's podcast episodes on acing job interviews and switching careers, available at npr.org/LifeKit. Subscribe to our newsletter for more tips and share your feedback at lifekit.npr.org. This episode was produced by Claire Marie Schneider and engineered by Quacey Lee.
NPR, Walton Family Foundation: The Walton Family Foundation, a supporter of NPR, uses its resources to address social and environmental issues and the 1A podcast from NPR offers in-depth analysis to help listeners navigate complex issues
The Walton Family Foundation, which supports NPR, is dedicated to addressing social and environmental issues in communities to create opportunities for people. Listening to the news can be overwhelming, but the 1A podcast from NPR offers a guided journey beyond the headlines, providing in-depth analysis and cutting through the noise to get to the heart of the story. By tuning into 1A, listeners can engage in thoughtful conversations and celebrate the freedom to explore important issues together. For more information about the Walton Family Foundation and its initiatives, visit WaltonFamilyFoundation.org.