375 Days ’til 40: Are You Satisfied???

Are YOU satisfied?

“With what?”  You may ask.

With everything.

The first thing that comes to my mind is the song written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, “I can’t get no satisfaction….. Cause I try and I try and I try and I try….”

Are you trying to find satisfaction in your life?  Are you finding it?

What is satisfaction?

The American Heritage Medical Dictionary defines satisfaction as:

1.  The fulfillment or gratification of a desire, a need, or an appetite.

2. The pleasure or contentment that is derived from such gratification.

What areas in your life bring you satisfaction???

Are you satisfied at work?  

I believe there are two different attitudes people form towards their work.  There are individuals who go to work simply to bring home a paycheck.  They clock in the necessary hours and very well may look forward to leaving the second the clock says they are allowed to.  They may indeed feel satisfied with their work, though the satisfaction may be financially linked, as opposed to directly correlated with the work itself.  Then there are those people who believe that work is their vocation.  They see their job as a life calling, a mission, a fulfillment (and no, this does not necessarily mean they are fulfilling a religious position).  That said, to these individuals, their jobs can be like a religion.  They believe in what they are doing and find that they are energized and excited by the contribution they are making in the work place.

What I find fascinating is that work satisfaction is not necessarily linked to financial gain or to far-reaching impact.  One of the most satisfying jobs I have ever held was working at a book store.  I LOVED my coworkers, and the hours.  The bosses were reasonable to deal with, and I got to help people find books – for themselves, for their friends, to give as gifts.  And, it NEVER followed me home!  Now, in this job I was not making a far-reaching and lasting impact on anyone, and my finances were certainly not impacted the way I would have liked them to be, but I enjoyed myself, was free of stress, and felt great when I arrived and when I left each day.

Today I make much more of a far-reaching impact.  I work with children, I assist parents  with finding the help they need when their children are not progressing.  The support my staff shares with the students and their parents allows them to assist their children to reach their full potential.  Most days this work is very satisfying, but sometimes it is challenging working with the reality of the many feelings and emotions of the humans who walk through our doors daily.  I should note, the challenges of our work are never the students, but making sure that the teachers and parents are all able to collaborate with the one set goal of assisting the students to achieve their highest potential.

If you are not satisfied with your employment, I would ask yourself why…

Is your job challenging enough?

It is worth your time?

Will you have opportunity to advance?

Do you feel you are making the impact you need to make?

Are you enjoying what you do?

If any of the answers are no, you may want to make sure you are in the best place for you.  Perhaps it is time for a career change?  You are never too old for a new adventure!

Are your relationships satisfying?

Please note – this questions does not solely refer to your love life.  Don’t get me wrong, it is important that people find companionship and love – that they are able to be supported by an individual and are able to connect emotionally and physically.  There are other critical relationships as well – do you have good friends?  Are there people you can call when you really need someone?  Are you on someone’s call list?  Are you available if your friend needs you?

Are you connecting with your family?  Do you know what your children are studying in school?  Do you know your child’s favorite color?  Favorite food?  Favorite subject?  Best friend?  Greatest fear? Highest hopes and dreams?

Are you getting the right things from your relationships?

Do you feel loved? respected? wanted? valued? needed? supported?

Do you treat your partner with support, love, and respect and help them to understand how much you want and value their presence in your life?

The only way to develop relationships that give you satisfaction is for all parties to devote the time and energy necessary to nurture them, all of them.

If you and Mick Jagger have too much in common…. If you really “can’t get no satisfaction” – particularly if it is in multiple areas of your life, I would challenge you.  Find your passion and follow it, in both your career and in your relationships.  I would also challenge you to keep your attitude in check.  Are you not satisfied because your glass is always half empty?  Is there any way – ANY way you can begin to see it as half full?  If so, you may find that satisfaction is lurking closer than you think, just waiting to be discovered.

~400daystil40