A few days ago I asked you What do you feel when you think about your job? and the responses were pretty interesting. Whilst some people love what they do, there are others that have mixed feelings or they even hate what they do.
A while back I made a post about why some people hate their jobs and yesterday I had an interesting conversation with my boss about this topic. We discussed the fact that some people hate their job because they don’t know what they want to do with their lives. They definitely know what they hate doing (their current job), but they don’t know what they want to do and this creates more frustration. Besides this not knowing, there is some fear involved (due to mortgages and bills and stuff) and they feel stuck in a crappy job. That’s one of the worst feelings.
“Why don’t they change their job?” you might ask. Well, that’s an interesting question. It might be because they cannot find another job. Maybe the field they’re prepared in is already full with working people. Or maybe the job they have is a transient one and they have to suck it up a few more months or years. But this would imply for them to know what they want to do with their lives. If it’s all about not-knowing and fear, it’s tough…
In my opinion, a job needs to be enjoyable or we’ll burn out. There is no doubt about it. Otherwise, all the joy we might get from other sources gets flushed away by the shitty job. This is no life.
I know for sure that every job has some good parts. It’s impossible for all to be bad because no one would go there. But is there a balance between what’s good and what’s bad? Is the company great and growing? Is the boss ok? There are many aspects that needs to be considered, but I think it is worth it. At least half of our awake time is spent at our job. If you hate it, you spend half of your life in hatred.
We and our jobs need to match like two pieces of the same puzzle. If this isn’t happening, we’re probably in the wrong puzzle. This being said, are you and your job being part of the same puzzle? If not, what plan do you have regarding this?
Amazing post! I agree with everything you’ve written. That’s true..Our job should interest us..job without interest would make us dull and bored and we won’t be able to give our best work.. It’s really important that the job matches us, interests us, then it will be good to see we are doing a job of our interest and we will be happy to come every morning in our office to do the work..Great job! 👌👌
Thank you! Finding the right job for us is a challenge… but without that, there is a high chance for half of our life to suck.
Yeah! true 😁
I love what I do for work but management/people at work have made it an unpleasant environment
People have that power. They can make something better or worse.
Maybe we give people more power than we should. should we be controlled by the actions and behaviors of others?
No, we shouldn’t.
Great post!! I’m one of those people currently stuck in the wrong puzzle. I’ve enrolled onto a Counselling course, as I feel that may be the field of work for me. Just waiting on a start date. Until I’m qualified (if I enjoy it!) I’m stuck here! So few jobs going around here 🙁
I’m glad you know what’s the issue and you already did something about it! That’s a healthy approach 🙂
I responded to your question that I love what I do. I’m a Middle School teacher full time in a rural community on an Indian Reservation. It’s tough! Yet, I am super focused on making a difference in the lives of students who need me so I am purpose-driven and operating in alignment with my core values. All of that matters! There are some of my colleagues who hate it there and feel stuck. It’s really not about what you do – it’s your WHY and HOW. I believe that if you can reframe what you do in a perspective that aligns with your values (find purpose in it) your mindset and outlook could (in some cases) shift and your job becomes a place of enjoyment!
That’s true! And if people only do it for the money, it’s not sustainable.
This is very timely for myself. I’m in a job that I do not like one bit. However, the company I work for is fantastic with many great benefits. I don’t know what I want to do instead. I’m closing in on 50, so I know changing careers at this point is a long shot. It is possible that I might be able to transfer within my company, but honestly I would have to improve my performance if I wanted that. It’s a conundrum, especially when the thing you do for a third of your life makes you less than happy.
When you look back to your life, what actions created the best feelings for you (besides the ones related to your family)?
I’d love to be back in the laboratory. I’m physically unable to do the standing – and I’d have to go back to school for at least two years. Which, given my knees, and anxiety challenges, seems unlikely. Even if I *could* do it in bites, is anyone really going to hire a lab tech over 50?
With your experience, maybe you can coordinate the team instead of actually doing the job?
That would be, at best – a 4 year degree. The other challenge would be that in order to be the coordinator, you still have to be able to jump in and do things when it’s gets busy. I’m still looking for options.