The two things you need to be happy with your job

Unhappy with your job?  Not sure why?  The reasons might be too subtle for you to notice, but when it happens, you grumble and tell yourself that you’re getting another job.  Work is likely to be more stressful and cause depression when you have little control over your day or aren’t allowed to solve problems on your own.  These two conditions, called autonomy, are very powerful.  Think about your job and the level of autonomy you have.  You’re likely not to have it if you work on an assembly line, but if you’re a surgeon, you have a great deal of autonomy and the responsibility it brings.  This independence also protects people whose jobs are intensely demanding.  If you have autonomy with a very demanding job, you’ll stay physically and mentally healthier.  Teach your kids about the subtle aspects of jobs that may impact their health and satisfaction with work.  It’s important.