“Of the approximately 100 million people in America who hold full-time jobs, 30 million (30%) are engaged and inspired at work, so we can assume they have a great boss. At the other end of the spectrum are roughly 20 million (20%) employees who are actively disengaged. These employees, who have bosses from hell that make them miserable, roam the halls spreading discontent. The other 50 million (50%) American workers are not engaged. They’re just kind of present, but not inspired by their work or their managers.”  ~Gallup, The State of the American Workplace 2013

What is going on when we have a stat like 70% of the American workforce is not engaged in their job? It is Sunday and if you have Monday dread going on you already know the answer.  So the real question becomes, why do we stay in jobs that we don’t feel engaged in.  Again, you already have a list of reasons going through your head most likely.  So ultimately it comes down to 1) employers finding ways to re-engage employees, 2) employers helping employees ‘exit’ when not engaged, or my personal favorite 3) finding an employer or job that you enjoy.

Is it stressful to look for a new job, or start your own business? Yes.  But guess what, it is stressful to stay where you are not happy. Science will back me on this one…we do more damage to your minds, bodies and souls when we stay in a place that makes us dread that thought of it.  As the saying goes, you are not a tree…if you do not like where you are, move.  Start planning now.  What better time to start actively thinking about your future than now?  Start with a specific goal that you can measure and attach a timeline to it.  You can always change it down the road, but at least you’ll know that you are on a proactive, positive path.

smart goal setting concept