Love-hate on the job

By ANGELA McCARTHY

Ever feel dissatisfied with your job - but can't put your finger on what exactly is causing the feeling?

Many people end up hating their job because it has little ultimate value for them.

This situation occurs when your "ego" is being satisfied at the detriment of your "essence", says American careers expert Dr Howard Figler, who is presenting a workshop for career counsellors this Friday at Auckland University of Technology.

"There is a quantum difference between merely earning a living and having a sense of purpose, dedication, fun, and being in the flow of one's joyful work," he says.

"Once you are doing what you were meant to do, you never want to go back to just doing a job."

Career satisfaction is driven by ego and essence - and they're often in competition.

Essence involves "fulfilling an inherent purpose and utilising or expressing your strongest talents".

To do this to the full you need to know and follow your core values and your instincts or "inner voice".

Ego refers to the feelings of approval, respect and recognition we get from others, says Figler.

This means success is defined by others. Clothing, cars, and homes can become badges of success.

"Most people are quite satisfied with ego success and often strive hard to be seen as making it," says Figler.

"But dissatisfaction can creep in when ego success and satisfaction are attained at the expense of essence.

"We are often so insecure - we strive for approval and applause, but it is often fleeting and superficial.

"Ego approval must constantly be re-attained, whereas inner satisfaction remains."

He's not knocking the desire we all have to gain approval and respect from others, but believes we can overdo it.

How many outwardly successful people - lots of money, nice car, home - still feel dissatisfied?

Figler is an authority in career guidance and has written a number of books, including The Complete Job-Search Handbook (Henry Holt and Company), which is considered by many to be on a par with friend Dick Bolles' What Colour is Your Parachute? (Ten Speed Press).

The pair collaborated to write The Career Counsellors Handbook (Ten Speed Press).

Both promote the importance of finding work that is satisfying in the long term, and not just a means to a pay packet.

Figler says career counsellors can play an important role in helping clients identify, nurture, and develop their essence - and thus career satisfaction.

"Clients are often out of touch with their essence because they are busy satisfying the priorities of their family, their culture, their peers, and others who tell them who to be."

So how do you get in touch with what is driving you?

"By reflecting on past activities, examining your present aspirations, and meditation of various kinds," suggests Figler.

Each situation needs to be examined - family, for example. If you're doing work to just meet family approval, ego is probably driving you.

"But if the family work is an expression of your values, it's essence. If the work is done out of love for the family it is probably essence - but consider where parents may be earning tonnes to show what good providers they are. That could be ego at work."

Helping people change their attitude to the role of work in life is an important aspect of professional career counselling, says Dale Furbish, programme leader of Auckland University of Technology's graduate diploma in career development.

"We find that many clients don't consider their values and personal reward systems with respect to their work and career," he says. "Yet this is often where dissatisfaction in career stems from. It is part of the role of career counsellors to help clients understand where their satisfaction is derived."