Recently, Forbes published a list of the 10 Happiest Jobs. It followed publication of their list of the 10 Most Hated Jobs. The only thing about the Forbes' list that really shocked me was that "author" didn't rank as the #1 Happy Job. That's where it would place on my list.
What was the biggest difference in the happy and the unhappy list? Forbes says "One set of jobs feels worthwhile, while in the other jobs, people can’t see the point."
Here are the 10 happiest jobs:
1. Clergy: 2. Firefighters: 3. Physical therapists: 4. Authors: 5. Special education teachers: 6. Teachers: 7. Artists: 8. Psychologists: 9. Financial services sales agents: 10. Operating engineers.
Here are the 10 most hated jobs:
1. Director of Information Technology: 2. Director of Sales and Marketing; 3. Product Manager; 4. Senior Web Developer; 5. Technical Specialist; 6. Electronics Technician; 7. Law Clerk; 8. Technical Support Analyst; 9. CNC Machinist; 10. Marketing Manager.
If I had to put on my Swami Hat - and in this blog, I do, I really do - then I'd guess that what makes the happy list are jobs that give workers freedom to exercise independent judgment in a creative way. Every job on the happy list does just that. On the other hand, the jobs on the unhappy list are tasks that are fairly rigid in their requirements and don't allow room for independence or personality.
I still say that Forbes got it wrong. The happiest job in the universe has to be working as a full time author. You get complete independence and creative control and if something isn't going the way you like - you just re-write it.
You know what? I'm sure Forbes got it wrong. Author should be #1. I DEMAND A RECOUNT.... especially if we get to go to Florida for it. My eldest is in school in the City where Mickey Mouse lives.
Recount, anyone? Or maybe a picket line. We could all carry signs and chant lines from our favorite romance novels. See - it would even be an entertaining kind of protest!