According to a recent survey by the Conference Board, only 45% of Americans are satisfied with their daily jobs, which is the lowest level since the survey was first conducted in 1987. As a point of reference, 61% of people were satisfied with their job in 1987.

Considering many of us spend close to half our day getting ready for work, commuting, and actually doing our jobs, this is some pretty sad news.

It seems like less people are following the old expression “do what you love and the money will follow,” and are sticking with unfulfilling jobs just to collect a paycheck. Or, maybe they have followed the expression and are working at a job they love, but are simply dissatisfied with a lack of advancement opportunities, rising health care costs, work/life imbalance, or stagnant wages.

Either way, there’s an argument to be made here for starting your own business (I know, that was sort of off on a tangent), especially since in order to be successful at your new business, you’ll likely have to work on something you’re extremely passionate about.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not advocating you go into work tomorrow and tell your boss you’re quitting – especially if you have a family or financial obligations. However, starting a side business – especially something online – that you might be able to grow into a full-time income, is certainly something worth considering.

Even if it’s just starting a blog as a release from your stress-filled day, you can turn that into a money making opportunity that, given some time and luck, just might be able to allow you to exit the “rat race” on your own terms.

Here are some resources if you’re interested in learning more about starting a business and entrepreneurship:

• Steps I took to start a business
• Choosing a legal structure for your business
• Nolo’s Form Your Own LLC Book Review
• How to pick a business checking account
• Why you should start an online business 

What are your thoughts? Leave a comment below!