My client, “Sam”, shared with me a while back about how his depression is tied to his job. He shared, “My job is killing me. I hate it. I wish I could do anything other than what I’m doing now, but I don’t know how to go about making the change. I have kids to feed, a mortgage to pay and my wife won’t be happy if I don’t bring in the dough comparable to what I’m making now.” “I feel trapped.”
In this two-part blog series, I will help you identify if you are facing job depression and what you can consider as your next steps going forward. Job depression is a very real experience stress for many Americans. If job depression is not dealt with, it can lead to a chronic mood disorder or in extreme cases, possible suicide.
According to recent CNBC poll on March 13-18th, 2019, 15% of all Americans are dissatisfied in their present jobs. Consider how much time we spend at or doing a job. On average, we will spend approximately 13 years and 2 months of our lives working. So it makes sense to find job you love to do!
Based on the CNBC poll, five (5) qualities were surveyed by over 8,664 professionals to identify what was important in their workplace satisfaction.
Pay
Autonomy
Meaning
Contribution
Opportunity
Interestingly, in the survey, the poll identified that “Meaning” is the number one need for professionals to have with workplace satisfaction. “Autonomy” and “Contribution” are the next two highest needs. And surprisingly, “Pay” and “Opportunity” did not rank as high with professionals in the survey.
So, how do I know if I’m facing job depression? Ask yourself a few questions:
Do I dread going to my job every day?
Do I struggle with getting out of bed during the week and feeling enthusiastic about my job?
Am I feeling trapped in my job?
When was the last time I shared with someone how much I enjoy my job?
Do I do my job just for the money?
Is my job getting the best of me and affecting my emotional health?
Do I fantasize about doing a different job, but I’m too afraid to switch now?
If you find yourself saying “YES” to the majority of these questions, I would encourage you to seek some professional advice. A good vocational coach/counselor or mental health counselor can give practical ways to manage your depression and offer a fresh perspective to the current job situation you might be in. Don’t leave yourself trapped and angry. Seek out the advice with your job network and trusted people you have in your life and give yourself the opportunity for a change.
In part two (2) of this blog, I will help you to identify how God made you for a specific work in His Kingdom and how you can go forward with strength, courage and faith with a job you were made to do.
Just consider what Mark Twain once said, “Find a job you enjoy doing, and you will never have to work a day in your life.”
Reference: Spiegel, David. “85% Of American Workers Are Happy with Their Jobs, National Survey Shows.” CNBC, CNBC, 2 Apr. 2019, www.cnbc.com/2019/04/01/85percent-of-us-workers-are-happy-with-their-jobs-national-survey-shows.html.
