They vastness between engagement and disengagement:
Work generally takes up a third of the time available for living. Work is a strange experience: it provides some of the most intense and satisfying moments, it gives a sense of pride and identity, yet it is something most of us are glad to avoid…84 percent of American men and 77 percent of women say they would continue to work even if they inherited enough money so they no longer needed a job…when people are signaled at work they endorse the item “I wish I was doing something else” more than at any other time of the day.
From Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
Finding Flow: The Psychology of Engagement with Everyday Life,
Chapter 4 – The Paradox of Work.
What do you think?
David,
Those survey results are quite interesting. I am surprised the numbers are that high since it seems disengagement in the workplace seems to be quite high. Are all of those 84%/77% of people fully engaged enough to continue to work? Or are they just afraid of getting bored?
The second part tells me they aren’t fully engaged, otherwise they wouldn’t wish they were doing something else. The quandry is even deeper than that – people aren’t engaged at work, they wish they were doing something else, but yet most are afraid to leave their jobs to find something better…and yet, if they won the lottery, they’d still want to work. Doesn’t make much sense.
Travis
Thanks Travis:
I would hope they are engaged but I guess it is a mix. As I read you comment and think about this I ponder the significent role fear plays in work, engagement,and disengagement.
I appreciate your thoughts as I put the thought up as a paradox that made me think.
David