Licensed Clinical Psychologist
A 2013 survey of 12,115 workers found "a lack of a fulfilling workplace" (Schwartz & Forath, NY Times 6/1/14). Here are some of their survey results. These qualities of a fulfilling workplace follow closely the requirements for mature Love, or "Flow".
Reflection A regular time for creative thinking No = 70%
Concentration Ability to focus on one thing at a time No = 68%
Attraction Opportunity to do what is most enjoyed No = 60%
Transcendence Level of meaning and significance No = 50%
Commitment Connection to corporate mission No = 50%
Community A sense of community No = 49%
Curiosity Opportunity for learning and growth No = 49%
Competence Opportunity to do what you do best No = 47%
Mature love has been found by several scientists to involve the qualities in the left hand column above. Mature love means offering all and the best you have - whether from an emotional perspective (Hook, Frederickson, Fromm, Seligman) or from a work perspective (Seligman, Csikszentmihalyi).
Speaking of hate of work - hate is based, emotionally, on disappointment in an area where you had high expectations. A let-down, a betrayal, a disillusion, a failure, "pulling the rug out", all express this hurtful, often angry experience.
The two authors also set up a pilot group of employees with changed work conditions: alternate 90- minute of focused work with 10-15 minute breaks, a full 1 hour break in the afternoon, permission to leave when finished. They got more work done in less time, left earlier in the evenings, and had less stress over the busy season than regular workers. Turnover was far lower.
Most employers don't allow their workers to love their work, and instead supervise out of fear they "won't accomplish their work without constant oversight".
The path is clear. Using employee-centered organization, Costco has shown that their employees generate twice the sales of Walmart, at an average $20.89 an hour wage.
About Dr. Raynard
Dr. Richard Raynard is a licensed clinical psychologist with 35 years experience resolving a broad range of emotional problems. As a cognitive-behavioral therapist who has specialized in anxiety and phobic disorders since 1980, he has spent the last 35 years fulfilling his life-long desire to explore and define the true purpose of emotions and how people can easily use emotions to create meaning and satisfaction in their lives. Dr. Raynard's series of books on emotions can be found onAmazon.com. His other books include Don't Panic, and Anxiety & Panic Medications.
