Job Therapy audiobook cover - Finding Work That Works for You

Job Therapy

Finding Work That Works for You

Tessa West

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Categories:
Personal DevelopmentCareer & SuccessProductivity

If You're Curious About These Questions...

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Key Takeaways from Job Therapy

Learning Tools

Reinforce what you learned from Job Therapy

Mind Map

Job Therapy
Emotional Self-Reflection+
Feedback and Goal Alignment+
Root Causes of Stress+
Thoughtful Career Planning+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 6
Why does the author argue that structural solutions, like working from home or negotiating a higher salary, are often ineffective for long-term job satisfaction?
  • A. They fail to address the underlying emotional and psychological needs connected to the job.
  • B. They usually require approval from upper management, which delays the resolution.
  • C. They create resentment among colleagues who do not receive the same benefits.
  • D. They only work for employees who are already highly engaged and motivated.
Question 2 of 6
According to the story of Tricia Baker, what is a primary cause of the deep disconnect many people feel in their careers?
  • A. A lack of adequate financial compensation for the number of hours worked.
  • B. An identity crisis caused by a fundamental mismatch between expectations and the actual demands of the role.
  • C. The inability to separate personal life from professional life due to remote work.
  • D. A failure to build strong interpersonal relationships with coworkers and management.
Question 3 of 6
What is the recommended approach if you find yourself overwhelmed by taking on additional, voluntary tasks at work?
  • A. Immediately stop doing the extra tasks to prioritize your mental health and work-life balance.
  • B. Delegate the extra responsibilities to junior team members to demonstrate leadership skills.
  • C. Ask your supervisor if these specific contributions will positively impact your career trajectory and promotions.
  • D. Demand a salary increase to adequately compensate for the additional workload.
Question 4 of 6
What did the study using the 'My VP Lab' app reveal about how people perceive workplace stress?
  • A. People underestimate the impact of long-term projects on their daily anxiety levels.
  • B. People accurately predict their daily stressors only about half the time, often overlooking unpredictable factors.
  • C. People believe that physical stressors are more harmful than emotional or psychological stressors.
  • D. People assume that stress is entirely caused by external factors rather than their own time management.
Question 5 of 6
When considering a career change, what does it mean to uncover the 'hidden curriculum' of a new role?
  • A. Discovering the unwritten social hierarchy and office politics of a new workplace.
  • B. Identifying the mandatory training and certifications required to apply for the job.
  • C. Learning about the secret salary bands and negotiation tactics for the industry.
  • D. Finding out about the less apparent aspects of the job, such as administrative duties, through networking.
Question 6 of 6
How does the book suggest you approach exploring new career paths to minimize risk?
  • A. By taking a sabbatical to completely detach from your current industry and clear your mind.
  • B. By taking incremental steps and 'dating' different professional identities while keeping your current job.
  • C. By immediately resigning from your current role to create a sense of urgency and motivation.
  • D. By applying to as many different industries as possible to see which one offers the highest salary.

Job Therapy — Full Chapter Overview

Job Therapy Summary & Overview

Job Therapy (2024) poses an important question: Why does work make people unhappy? It’s often attributed to poor management, mundane tasks, or high stress. But these gripes rarely address the true cause of workplace discontent – deeper, unmet psychological needs. By understanding these needs, you can find a job where you can truly flourish. 

Who Should Listen to Job Therapy?

  • Professionals who feel unfulfilled or undervalued at work
  • Individuals considering a career or job change
  • Managers seeking to understand employee dissatisfaction

About the Author: Tessa West

Tessa West is a social psychology professor at New York University who specializes in interpersonal interactions. Her research focuses on how people navigate social situations and leverage relationships to address everyday workplace issues. In addition to Job Therapy, she has published extensively on these topics, aiming to provide practical solutions for improving interpersonal effectiveness in professional settings.

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