If you’re like most people, you have a day-to-day job that pays you for your services. This job is a big part of your life, so if it’s not something you enjoy, it can make life feel long and unfulfilling.
According to a Gallup survey, 51% of employed workers say they’re actively looking for a new job. Some employees are “quiet quitting”—still showing up every day, but disengaged and working aimlessly. What’s the point of doing that?
You have to find what you’re good at—what you love to do—and cultivate it. Anthony de Mello said:
“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.”
Maybe you’re in your job because that’s what you’ve been doing for the last 15 years. You feel comfortable. You’re already on track for your next promotion in a few years. Or maybe you feel like you don’t have any other option—you need the paycheque to survive.
Whatever your situation, if you’re not enjoying your current work, start thinking about an exit strategy today. Even if you can’t leave right away, it’s not worth dragging out another few years in a role that drains you.
Find what you’re passionate about and explore how it can apply to your current job—or outside of it. Sometimes, what you love might still exist within your company but in a different function or with a new approach.
Don’t quit without a plan. Instead, explore your options. Look for ways to align your passions with your work. For example:
- If you love organizing events, volunteer to plan the office holiday party.
- If writing excites you, start a monthly internal newsletter about your team’s accomplishments.
- If you enjoy fitness, organize lunchtime workout sessions.
These don’t have to be major changes. Start small and find joy in it.
This is just a temporary phase until you discover work that truly fulfills you. See it as an opportunity to grow and make the most of your time.
Find your freedom. Integrate it into both your personal and professional life. Be true to yourself—and do what you love.
Take care.