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HBApdx.org
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AUGUST, 2013
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BUILDING YOUR BUSINESS
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HBA HOME BUILDING NEWS
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17
A recent poll found that 58 per-
cent of us are not happy at work.
That number is astounding when
you realize how many hours of
each day working Americans
spend doing something they do
not like. The question is, are they
unhappy and what can they do
to change it?
It is no secret that we live in a
workaholic, high-demand, high-
performance world where the
early bird gets the worm and the
night owl gets the promotion.
Americans work an average of 47
hours a week, 50 weeks a year.
The results of this pace is evident
everywhere. Stress, divorce, ab-
senteeism and worker dissatisfac-
tion are at an all time high.
In my practice, clients often
complain that they do not have
enough time for family, friends,
or hobbies. Work consumes them,
stealing their energy and leaving
them without the proper balance
between work and the rest of
their life. I address their issue by
first asking the question, “Why
do you work?” Their immediate
response is usually, “Because I
have to”. Reasoning that life is too
short to endure daily dissatisfac-
tion for a reason so vague, I have
them dig deeper, take their time,
think about it and write a list of
all the reasons they work. They
usually surprise themselves with
the answers. Sure, they are gen-
erating income to satisfy basic
needs but the list goes on. Work
gives them a sense of accom-
plishment, satisfies a need to be
productive, introduces them to
new people and ideas, and gives
them an opportunity to mentor
others. For some, work is about
“giving back” or making the world
a better place to live. For others,
it is a field of competition, one
where they win after a childhood
of athletic disappointments. For
all of them, it is more than they
thought it was.
It’s a great time to work in
America. Employees have more
sway over how, when and where
they are working. If you are one of
that 58 percent that is ‘unhappy at
work,’ first ask yourself why you
work and then examine your op-
tions for improving satisfaction.
Here are a few questions to get
you started:
Are you working for the right
company? Companies have a cul-
ture all their own. Have you cho-
sen one that shares your values?
Do you have work location op-
tions? The number of workers
telecommuting is on the rise and
more acceptable than ever in cor-
porate circles. Cutting commute
time can make a big difference
in recapturing leisure time. If you
are self-motivated and have room
to dedicate work space, this just
might be for you. If you cannot
work remotely, is there another
location that might suit you bet-
ter, another city, office location or
department?
Have youmade connections? In
a recent survey, having a friend at
work is one of the top reasons for
employee satisfaction. Reach out
and get to know your peers.
Are you managing your time?
No matter howmuch you accom-
plish, there is always more to be
done. Between the phone ring-
ing, e-mail dinging, and constant
flow of new project requests, you
never get to the end of the work
pile. Knowing that, why do we
think staying at work longer than
is expected will get us ahead?
Time management is the key.
Identify your top priorities, cut
back on the unnecessary tasks
such as replying to every e-mail
and set a time to leave your desk.
Are you managing your expec-
tations? No matter if it is a job, a
relationship, or a new toy, the
excitement wears off over time.
If you are expecting your work to
provide you with endless satisfac-
tion, you may be expecting too
much.
Are you in the right job? Some
positions have an ‘expiration
date’. It could mean you are now
overqualified through develop-
ment and experience or that you
have not kept up with changes.
It can also mean that you need a
new challenge or less responsibil-
ity. Whatever the reason, if you
are no longer a match for the role
you play, a new position could be
the answer. Explore your options
inside your current employer first.
Are you fully developed for
the role you are in? Do you know
your shortcomings and how they
might impact your effective-
ness in your job role? If you do
not, it could be time to order an
assessment from your business
coach. The right assessment can
help you not only identify your
strengths and shortcomings, but
also help recommend ways for
you to use your motives, interests
and preferences to improve your
job satisfaction and productivity.
How is your attitude? Has it
occurred to you that you always
have control over your attitude?
Sometime, that is all we control,
but do not discount the power of
keeping your complaints down
and your mood upbeat. Focus on
the reasons youwork and remem-
ber you have a choice in how you
approach the job to be done.
What kind of space have you
created? No matter where you
work, you can always have some
freedom to create your own
space. Let it reflect your personal-
ity. After all, you may spend more
time here than at home.
How are things at home? Some-
times we transfer our unhappi-
ness at home to our work lives.
Does your family support your
work choices? If not, you may
need to address those to find
happiness at work.
Your business coach can help
you to identify these and other
roadblocks to your job satisfac-
tion. Discuss your concerns and
ask for help. If you are in a job tran-
sition now, make the search for
your next job, think through your
“possibilities” and vow to make
this the new job one that suits
you better than the one you left
behind. Understand your motiva-
tion to work and your choices and
you may just find yourself think-
ing TGIM (Thank God it’s Monday)!
Sherry Jordan,
The Northwest Coaching Group, Inc.
COACHES
CORNER
Works for me! Identifying roadblocks to job satisfaction
COOL TOOL
NEW AND USEFUL COOL TOOLS & APPS
RECOMMENDED BY MEMBERS OF THE HBA
By Abigail Adams
Classic Electric, LLC
While this may not be a tool in
the traditional sense, I believe
this is an important tool for
people to use in their homes.
Current code requires that
carbon monoxide detectors
be installed within 15 feet of
each bedroom and one on
each floor. Most companies
are installing combination
smoke and carbon monoxide
detectors in homes. One of the issues with this solution is
that they are installed on the ceiling; carbon monoxide is
heavier than air so the detectors should be placed lower to
the floor to detect the carbon monoxide earlier to give you
more warning of a problem. In addition, the combination
detectors are fairly expensive and are being installed
in each bedroom, outside of each bedroom and one on
each floor according to the rules for smoke detectors. This
Kidde carbon monoxide alarm is a great alternative in that
it plugs in to a regular plug so it is installed closer to the
ground and it will save you money since you don’t have to
purchase any of the smoke/carbon monoxide combination
detectors. Also, the plug on the back of the unit is placed
high enough so that the top plug will still be accessible for
your use. Consider this option the next time you need to
install a carbon monoxide detector.
New outlet activated carbon alarm makes
it easier than ever to install correctly
It’s a great time to work in
America. Employees have
more sway over how, when
andwhere they areworking.