Most Americans Hate Their Jobs

I think the stats in this MSNBC story are worth thinking about -- even if you're a few years away from working a "real job" or starting a career. The fact that almost 40 percent of employees under 25 don't like what they do for a living isn't surprising, but it is revealing. I think part of the problem is that so many of us expect that the career we eventually get (and how much it pays) will define how we turn out and whether we're happy or not.

Two bits of wisdom have helped me with this over the years. From a secular perspective, someone once told me to focus on doing what I like, what I feel passionately about, what really matters to me. Even if you start out making peanuts, at least you'll care about the work you do. And the better you get at the work you do, the more money you'll (probably) make doing it. In other words, don't follow the dollars, follow your passion.

The second, more helpful piece of advice laid on me about job satisfaction has to do with the wisdom of Solomon. The everything-is-meaningless guy made it clear that no job, no career, no lifestyle is ever going to fill the heaven-hungry holes in our hearts. In other words, lower your expectations for jobs and career and focus instead on the mission of living for eternity during the hours, days, and years spent "on the job."

**Bonus still-learning-the-hard-way wisdom: Another reason so many people hate their jobs (I believe) is that they're in debt up to our eyeballs. They get trapped in yucky gigs because they have to pay those credit card bills every month. Stay away from the credit monster (especially when you're young), and you'll have more freedom to move on when a job turns uggo.