5 Stunningly Simple Secrets to Creating the Career You Want Singer-song writer Willie Nelson once said that “99 percent of the world’s lovers are not with their first choice. That’s what makes the juke box play.” The majority of the American workforce knows just what Willie meant; they’re not in love with their careers and may be working in jobs that weren’t their first choice, according to new research from Gallup. The Gallup survey found that half of polled workers said they were not engaged in their work, 20 percent were actively disengaged and just 30 percent said they were engaged.
book “Flourish”: The key, he says, “Those are sobering statistics is to take control of career develfor corporate America,” says Kurt Metzger, vice president of Talopment, engagement, meaning, ent Management for Prudential achievement and positive emoFinancial. “It doesn’t feel like a tion. “Too many workers are still very good return on investment pining for old school ‘career paths’ for employers, and it’s not a great story for employees, either. Given that are defined by their compathe amount of time most of us nies and guided by their bosses,” spend at work, the personal ROI Metzger says. “They are a thing of the past. The world of work is feels disappointingly low. That’s a significant lost opportunity.” simply changing too fast. A job A human resources profession- that exists now may not be there a year from now, so creating a al for 20 years, Metzger says that a well-constructed career prowell-prescribed path is elusive at vides the five key components of best. It is possible, though - and well-being that psychology guru even preferable - to create one’s own path.” Martin Seligman identifies in his RuralLeaderMagazine.com | MAY/JUNE 2015 23
