Why Do We Hate Our Jobs?

Here's an interesting quote from Forbes:

Data from Wakefield Research for MOO reveals that about 75% of Americans working a traditional 9-5 job are unhappy or unfulfilled in that role — that’s a bit of a blow to our collective happiness, particularly when you realize that a full 90% of people believe a rewarding and fulfilling job is a major factor in overall happiness. Researchers have uncovered deep ties between job satisfaction and feelings of motivation, empowerment and engagement.

Ok, so 3 out of 4 are unhappy or unfulfilled. That's a rough way to spend 40 years of your life.

Is the issue that we just hate working? Is it really that bad that so many dislike work? Or maybe our expectations are much higher than reality and that's why we're unhappy?

I saw a post on Facebook recently that said:

The key to happiness is low expectations.

Lower.

Nope, even lower.

There you go.

:)

Seriously, what's the issue?

My career was 28 years long if you don't count school (I consider school part of my career, but that's another post). Out of all those years I may have had five (at most) where I was unhappy or unfulfilled. I don't know what I would have done if 3/4 of those years were bad! How could I have stood it?

And if people are so unhappy, why don't they do something about it? Move companies. Take a new job. Change careers.

I really don't have any answers but perhaps some of you do. This seems out of control.

Thoughts?

Comments

[Stephanie]

I'm unhappy in my job currently. I love my job, but not management. If I could I would change jobs...thanks to Obamacare my hours got cut to 30 a couple years ago. Ouch. But changing jobs isn't that easy. I'm only qualified in what I currently do: PET/CT Imaging. I have no other experience than this. I make a great salary when it hasn't been reduced by $10k. I'm currently in college working on my Bachelors in Management.....fairly certain I won't recoup that cost. But I'm a glass half full kind of girl. Now that management sees that my job can be done at 30 hours, I feel I'll never see 40 again. I'm almost done with school and I'll search for something better. But I feel I won't get paid my current hourly wage in a Management job where I have no experience. But...look at Donald Trump...maybe there's hope.