If not, don’t feel bad. A Gallup Poll survey found that 70 percent of people hate their jobs. A similar article in The Washington Post said that only 13 percent of us actually love our jobs. The remaining 17 percent are somewhere in the middle, and if they won the lottery tomorrow they would quit their jobs immediately.

I’m sure you’ve heard the proverb “Misery loves company.” If you’re one of the millions of people who are unhappy with their jobs you have lots of company. People continue to work in jobs they don’t enjoy for many good reasons. We do it to survive, we do it for security, and we do it to provide for our families.

But why can’t more of us find a job we really love and still give our families what they need?

I’m going to answer this question in two parts. Part I: Are there enough jobs in the profession you love? Part II: Does that job pay enough so you can survive? If you can answer yes to both, then get off the couch and do whatever it takes to follow your dreams. It’s depressing to think you might stay in a job you don’t enjoy for the next 10, 20, or 30 years.

So, how much do you dislike your current job and are you willing to put in the considerable amount of work necessary to make the change?

I’m tired of listening to career counselors who tell everyone to follow their passion. It’s a great philosophy, and it makes a great sound bite, but it’s not always realistic. For example, there are a limited number of jobs for actors, photographers, musicians and news reporters, just to name a few. Millions of people must make choices that are appropriate for their circumstances, and in many cases that means finding an acceptable middle ground. So, what might this “middle ground” look like?

If you’re in a job you hate, start looking for a new job tomorrow, one you will enjoy. It may not be your passion or result in a pay raise, but at least find a job you enjoy with an employer you respect. Finding a job you enjoy is a reasonable and achievable goal.

Your passion can actually become a part-time job. For 20 years I was a part-time musician playing gigs on weekends. I love music, but I was unwilling to go on the road and sacrifice time with my family. Some people believe music wasn’t my passion because I wasn’t willing to make the sacrifice. Personally, I don’t believe feelings or life decisions are that simple. If you’re struggling with this type of career choice, you have lots of company and the right answer will be different for each of us. At the end of the day, your opinion is the only one that matters.

This may sound like a funny question, but is your current job really all that bad? In many cases people are having conflicts with co-workers or a boss and it’s not the job so much that they really hate. If that sounds familiar, then the best thing may be to find a new job with a new employer. A major career change may not be required.

I do offer a few words of caution: If it’s one or two people who are making your life miserable at work, think twice before jumping ship. The grass is not always greener on the other side. Run to something that is truly better, instead of running away from someone you don’t like.

If you do get along with your boss, then making minor changes to your job responsibilities could make a big difference in how you feel. Taking on a new challenge or getting rid of an old task can improve your attitude toward work.

Obviously, career decisions are very personal and there is no perfect answer. Some of you need to get moving and follow your dreams, while minor adjustments will be sufficient for others. The fun part of this formula is that you get to make the choice. Send me an email with your decision and let me know how it’s going!

Kaminski is president of Stone Associates Training. He is an HR consultant with 35 years of experience in the employment field, teaching managers the art of hiring great employees. He also is an adjunct instructor at Keuka College. You can contact him with your questions, suggestions and comments at bill@ stoneassociatestraining.com.