Today, as I write this, is the final day of my 30’s. A time of reflection, setting priorities and more than ever, understanding what’s important and where I want to spend my time.

As much as age is just a number, birthdays are a reminder that we don’t have an infinite amount of them! We all have responsibilities in life, weather that’s having a mortgage or rent to pay, a family to provide for or staff to keep in jobs, but if we’re waking up every day with a sick feeling in the pit of our stomachs at the thought of another day pushing widgets out the door, what’s the point?

Someone once said to me “If you’re saying yes to something, always think about what you’re saying no to” …… Just let that one sink in for a bit.

This morning I read that Monash University have conducted one of Australia’s largest surveys of teachers, revealing that 71% of educators feel underappreciated in the classroom. 71%!! There’s a lot wrong with this! Out of 2444 teachers surveyed, that’s 1735 people in a single profession who start their days feeling overworked, underappreciated and disrespected.

High levels of job dissatisfaction are not isolated to education. There is an on-going theme in Australia. Back in July of 2019 Hanover Research revealed that 38% of Australian workers are unsatisfied with their current job. Issues with salary or pay (41%), job security (37%), and uninteresting work (33%) were identified as the main drivers for workplace dissatisfaction.

Now, before you throw your laptop out the window and head home to begin your life as a yogi, stay with me to the end and let’s see if we can work through this.

• Assess Your Situation: Self-analysis likely isn’t the super actionable first step you were hoping for but, this will lay the basis for you to attack the next steps with a clear head and a laser focus
• Tough Conversations: Take initiative to speak up. If you’re not going to who is right! And who knows, you and your manager could come up with some great ideas to address your situation and increase your happiness!
• Switch Your Perspective: It’s a little cliché but instead of looking at each workday as another time slot where you need to pay your dues, approach it as an opportunity to continue refining your skills and conquer new challenges.

Failing this, get a move on! Life’s far too short people!

You are the only person who can change your situation. Proceed with care for yourself and respect for your employer. We don’t always have to love work, but my birthday wish for you all is that you don’t hate it.

JD