Showing category "Making work meaningful" (Show all posts)
 A recent report by the Conference Board found that job satisfaction in the US has dropped to a record low of 45%. More than 55% of Americans are unhappy in their jobs, with a whopping 64% of workers under age 25 reporting dissatisfaction. We have many ideas and opinions about what's most important in a job. Top water-cooler theories include: - Money (the more the better)
- A supportive boss
- Nice coworkers
- Flexible schedule
- Good benefits (healthcare, anyone?)
- Fit with the mission/values of the employer
- Len...
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 Most of us have a clear idea of what we want. However, many of us fear that we can't achieve it, or that if when we did achieve it, we wouldn't really be satisfied by it. Enter the concept of blocks. Blocks are complicated dances that we perform. Sometimes these dances are driven by fear. If I fear that I can't get what I want, and I think it's a sign of weakness to admit I'm afraid, there are many ways I can hide my fear. Signs that you may be afraid you can't get what you want: Continue reading ...
 As we discussed in the last post, clarifying your purpose - or objective - is key to sharing your story in a way that will appeal to a prospective employer. Or, for the self-employed, using your story to help raise capital or secure clients. Life purpose is something that sounds big, daunting and elusive. So let’s make it more concrete with some examples. My life purpose is to help people achieve self-actualization through work. Oprah’s life purpose is to be “a catalyst for transforming... Continue reading ...
 On Friday I watched the lively movie Julie & Julia, which shared some surprising insights into charting one's career path. Below are some lessons I took away from the movie. 1. Careers don't have to come from "traditional" places. One of the movie's protagonists, Julia Child, was in her late 30s by the time she enrolled in culinary school. Why was she drawn to cooking? She loved to eat. In the New York Times, she described her first meal in France as "an opening up of the soul and spiri... Continue reading ...
 As children, many of us asked meaningful questions about our lives, such as “Why are we here?” As we got older, often the question changed to “What is my purpose?” Some of us found answers that satisfied us, some didn’t. Many of us eventually gave up on the big questions, instead focusing on practical questions like “How can I make enough money to support my lifestyle?” Life comes at us pretty quickly and it’s easy to lose our childlike ability to question. However, it... Continue reading ...
 Marriage as we know it used to be viewed as a business relationship. Arranged by the families of a young couple, such partnerships were formed for the value they could bring to all parties. Some benefits included financial stability, securing class status, and prestige. The concept of love relationships is relatively new, even in the Western World, where arranged marriages were a part of mainstream culture well into the 19th century. Why discuss arranged marriage in a career forum? Becau... Continue reading ...
 What if each of us has a unique contribution to give to this world? And what if, in the act of making that contribution, each of us has the ability to be deeply, truly happy? Let’s take it a bit further. What if, in this world, there are enough roles for each of us to play the role we dream of? No one would have to do a job they didn’t like because there was another person out there who genuinely enjoyed that role. The implication is that if you’re unhappy in the job you’re doing, ... Continue reading ...
 Most of us face a daily dilemma: we have to earn a living. We do this by going to work. And most of us don't enjoy work. We think of work as... well, work. Just watch The Office and you'll see some of the associations that ring true for the show's millions of fans. Its mostly gloomy characters work at uninspiring jobs surrounded by incompetent, amoral or socially challenged coworkers. Why do so many of us live notably less funny versions of this reality, day in, day out? Because we nee... Continue reading ...
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Career and Life Coach
| Miriam J. Katz |
| Boston, Ma |
I aim to transform our collective perception of work. With a slight perspective shift, each of us can find and cultivate a deep sense of satisfaction in what we do.
Together we can find authentic meaning in a space that has become known as the grind. Most of us spend more than 2000 hours at work each year. Let's utilize and value that time, rather than dreading it. Together we can put work on our payroll.
Join me for the journey, and share your thoughts and questions!
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