Time for a little motherly advice.
I’m guilty of this. I would complain and complain and complain (and complain) about my job. And complain.
It got to the point where it seemed like the only conversation I could have with anyone started off like this: “I hate my job. I can’t stand this or that . . ..” And, as we all know, like attracts like. Eventually, any and all conversations that someone had with me started off the same way.
That’s draining. It physically sucks all the positive energy right out of you. I was drained and in a bad mood. All. The. Time.
The bottom line is that most of us need a way to earn money. Jobs are the most common way to earn money. Jobs come with obligations, responsibilities, and expectations. Whenever anything (no matter how much you love it) becomes an obligation, and even further, an obligation tied to money, the joy starts to slip away.
So how we can change that?
I believe the answer is ATTITUDE.
If we have a degree (or several) our attitude may be that the job is beneath us. If we don’t like the policies or procedures, we ache to defy the system and act stubbornly or out of integrity. If we don’t like the messy middle, the part where all the work (and magic) happens, we put things off and tarnish our reputations. And on and on.
Here’s where the motherly advice comes in:
you made the conscious choice to take that specific job.
Own that.
Now that you have accepted the undeniable fact that no one forced you to accept the job you have, we can move on.
Whenever you have made a choice, you always have the power to undo that choice. But I suggest you do so rationally and reasonably. Sure, it’s great when we can throw our hands up in the air, yell “I QUIT” and storm out like they do in the movies. And maybe that is warranted in your particular situation. Just remember though that YOU and only YOU have to live with the consequences of that decision long after the credits have ended. In other words, however, it plays out, it is yours to deal with.
Here are some things to consider when deciding whether to quit your job:
:: What specifically do you dislike about your job? Yes, here’s your chance, ALL THE DETAILS ABOUT EVERYTHING YOU DON’T LIKE.
:: Why did you take this job to begin with? Why did you commit to being there for an indefinite amount of time?
:: What specifically changed about your vision about this position from the time you accepted the offer, to the moment when you considered a change?
:: What do you actually like about your job? Come on, there has to be something!
:: Do you depend on the income that this job provides you? In other words, does this job and only this job keep the roof over your head and food on the table?
:: How do you feel on Sunday nights and/or Monday mornings when you know you have to go back to work? Emotional + physical symptoms, please.
:: Will staying in this position benefit you in any way whatsoever? Think BIG picture, is this a stepping stone to something else? Are you on a path to being promoted soon? Is this a prerequisite to something you really want to do?
:: What would be the absolute worst-case scenario if you left this job today?
:: What is the absolute best-case scenario if you left this job today?
:: If I were to rent a billboard and post, in HUGE letters, the following statement, how would you react? I, JANE DOE, TRULY AND UNDENIABLY HATE MY JOB AT JOBS’R’US AND I WANT THE WHOLE WORLD TO KNOW IT. Does this make you shudder, start stammering excuses about how it’s not that bad, or make you stand up super tall and proud because it’s the truth?
This isn’t an exhaustive list of things to consider, but it is a place to start to bring some awareness and clarity about WHY you do not like your job. I mean, it’s a job; most everyone dislikes some aspect(s) of their job(s). If you find that you can “tolerate” your job because it is truly necessary to your basic human needs or it is a pathway to something better, I encourage you to take a good, hard look at what tweaks you can make to your ATTITUDE to make the job more pleasant. For example, add some greenery, put up pictures of things that make you happy, play some music, etc. But, if you truly hate (and I use this word in all its power) your job and it makes you physically ill to even think about it, then maybe it’s time to throw those hands up in the air, loud and proud.
But first, think about it. Feel into it. Take a deep breath and consider all your options. And remember, this is YOUR CHOICE.
I love to end on a positive/encouraging note. Here is a quote from Steve Jobs:
“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”
Photo Credit: Magnet.me on Unsplash