Career coach says employees must shift focus from job satisfaction

A career coach from Lincolnshire believes there is hope in the workplace despite uncertain economies and job markets. A big part of the equation comes from within.

Jeffrey Garton recently published "Career Contentment: Don't Settle for Anything Less." In his book, Garton addresses how the employee is in charge of assessing and viewing his or her life, career or circumstances in a way that will create a contented state of mind. The book serves as a roadmap.

Garton, who gives seminars around the country on the topic, says career contentment is your state of mind related to your career.

Garton speaks to both employers and employees. Last week he gave a presentation to a group of medical executives at Loyola University on the topic of career contentment, which he says is different than job satisfaction.

Contentment is a key aspect of our work and professional lives that has slipped under the radar.

His philosophy goes against the theories he implemented during a 23-year career in human resources at Philip Morris Cos. "Job satisfaction is a myth," he says. In order to find career contentment, you have to be in a field and job that's meaningful.

What contributes to career contentment includes how you think, feel and act in order to have and enjoy the career you desire, he says.

He looks at his corporate career as an example of career contentment. He worked for Philip Morris at a time when both the brewing and tobacco industries were under constant litigation. As a result, job and working conditions were frequently dissatisfying due to reductions in pay increases, bonuses and benefits. Positions were eliminated as people quit or were encouraged to take early retirements. He said if people complained, they were put on the list for the next round of layoffs.

"I tolerated these conditions for nearly 10 years and to this day, I believe these were some of the best years during my entire career. Even though dissatisfied with conditions, I was content in the belief I was on track to fulfill my calling and purpose," he said. His job was also conducive to his family life.

Garton challenges the myth of job satisfaction and teaches how to find a contented state of mind. He explains that job satisfaction is not a state of mind. "You can't choose to be satisfied. It's dependent on what your employer provides and conditional on whether your expectations were fulfilled, and because you lack control over your employer, boss, job, pay, benefits and other things that make you satisfied," he says.

Employers control jobs and the means to satisfy while you control your career and state of mind or contentment, he adds.

Garton left the corporate world in 2001 to start his own recruiting firm. After the Sept. 11 tragedy, his focus changed and he became certified as a career coach. "I work with people in transition between jobs as well as with people who are still employed," he said.

His book sells for $22.95 at bookstores.

Relax: Two new La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries recently opened.

The new stores are located in Algonquin at 1565 S. Randall Road and in North Aurora at 1790 Towne Center Drive.

Headquartered in Monroe, Mich., the company has 336 stores.

Outdoor offerings: L.L. Bean is opening two new stores in the area. The 96-year-old Maine outdoor gear and apparel outfitter will open in November at Old Orchard in Skokie and in the new Arboretum of South Barrington in September.

Founded in 1912 by Leon Leonwood Bean, the company began as a one-room operation selling a single product, the Maine Hunting Shoe.

New group: The Bloomingdale Chamber of Commerce is starting a new program, Bloomingdale Women in Business. The first meeting takes place from 8 to 10 a.m. Wednesday at Old Town Bank & Trust, 165 W. Lake St.

Karen Lennon, founder and director of SomerCor Inc., will speak. She provides financing for expanding businesses in the area. For more, call (630) 980-9082.