As we look back over 2010, it’s no wonder we find ourselves saying; “Work sure has changed.”
Do you think back to a time when you dreamed of what you would be when you grew up? For me, it was to be a cowgirl complete with lasso [yep, true] – and this went on to dreams of being an artist or actor – only to settle upon teaching art for some years and now running my own recruitment company.
Yet, we live in times of change. Upsizing, downsizing, re-engineering, retrenching, global expansion, directives from head office, contract work, temp assignments, career progression… it’s all on, everyday. You have to be a multi-tasker, multi-talented, have the patience of Ghandi, the focus of an army unit, and you must welcome change!
Research used to suggest that to be happy in our work we need to be busy and ‘stressed’ – and the more stressed we are in our job, the happier we were (!!??)
Recent stats show that when we are stretched in our work our happiness increases. And, in fact, health worries decline. It is considered vital to our emotional and economic wellbeing.
One thing that hasn’t changed – is that our careers, rewards, satisfaction and creating the dream job come down to us, you and me.
There is no doubt that in these times of change, we have even more opportunity to get busy and do something about taking control. The big indicator for me has always been – ‘Do you bound out of bed in the mornings and look forward to work? Honestly?’
No certainties exist but the mind-set we need to develop is to think, think, and re-think about what we are doing and why. One HR expert told me we spend more time comparing prices when buying a fridge for example, than we do on our own careers.
Is this still true I wonder?
