If you are like most people, you have a day to day job that pays you to provide for your services. This day to day job is big part of your life. Therefore, if the job is not something you are fond of, that will be a long life. According to a Gallup survey, 51% of employed workers indicated they are looking for or seeking a new job. Some employees are ‘quiet quitting’ where they still come in everyday but they are disengaged with their work and sitting at a computer working aimlessly. What’s the point of doing that? You have to find what you are good at, what you love to do and cultivate it. Anthony de Mellow stated,
“You must discover work that you do, not for its utility, but for itself, whether it succeeds or not, whether you are praised for it or not, whether you are loved and rewarded for it or not, whether people know about it and are grateful to you for it or not. How many activities can you count in your life that you engage in simply because they delight you and grip your soul? Find them out, cultivate them, for they are your passport to freedom and to love."
You might be at your job because that’s what you’ve been doing for the last 15 years. You are comfortable. You got your ticket punched to your next promotion within the next 2 to 3 years. Or you don’t have any other options and can’t afford to quit to survive. Whatever the case may be, if you are not enjoying what you are currently doing, think of an exit strategy now! It’s not worth staying for another couple of years even though you are about to get a promotion or you need this job to pay the bills.
Find what you are good at and what you love to do and search where it can be applied. In some cases, it might even be what you are doing now but a different function or different way you can approach your job. There might be opportunities within your organization. The point is not to quit your job without a plan. The point is to look at your options and look for opportunities within your job to incorporate what you love doing. Or find something else while doing your day to day job.
If you enjoy organizing events, volunteer to organize the office holiday event. If your passion is writing, consider launching a monthly newsletter within your organization about what was achieved by you and your team. If you like to exercise and train people, start a lunch workout group. There are endless possibilities. It does not have to be extravagant. Start small and enjoy it. It’s a temporary situation until you discover a job that truly fulfills you. Look at it as an opportunity to grow and make the most of your time.
Find your freedom and incorporate it in your work life and personal life. Be you and do what you love.
Take care.