It’s Monday again and you are dreading getting up and going to work. Sounds familiar? You are not alone. According to statistics on job satisfaction, about 52% of employees in the United States are dissatisfied with their jobs and 85% of people globally are disengaged at work. Job dissatisfaction can be for various reasons:
- Not liking the people you work with
- Not getting along with your boss
- Spending long hours working without any job progression
- Not feeling challenged, valued, or fulfilled
Or it can be a combination of all these things.
Is Staying Holding You Back?
Waking up in the morning feeling nothing but dread about going to work, coming home drained, grumpy, deflated, and too exhausted to enjoy any time with the family does not make for a happy life.
Yet, year after year, you stay. But why?
The biggest reason is usually fear or plain convenience.
There are many reasons, but it is often out of fear.
- Fear of the unknown
- Fear of starting over
- Feeling it is too late to change at your age
With no idea what else to do, we keep working the very same job that is draining us, holding us back, and taking the joy out of life.
We tell ourselves, “It’s too risky” and “I feel secure in my job even if I don’t like it. At least I know I have a steady paycheck.”
Guess what? No job is secure, and you are not in charge of what happens to you. You gave that power up to someone else.
Companies restructure all the time and that could not be more true now in the age of AI. The coworkers you enjoy working with might start retiring or leave for another job.
There is nothing “safe” about having a corporate job. But I get it, there is comfort in having the same routines. It feels safe to drive that familiar route into the same building every morning, seeing the same familiar faces, knowing exactly what is expected of you, and getting that “reliable” paycheck. It’s the familiar routine that makes it feel safe and comfortable.
Are You Taking the Easy Way Out?
It is so much easier to do nothing, isn’t it? To just go with the flow and let whatever happens happen instead of taking charge of your life and creating the life you want and deserve.
Yeah, it’s scary to change and it can feel like it is impossible. But if you were laid off from your job today, what would you do? You would figure it out, wouldn’t you. You learn new skills. You adapt. You survive.
Because what would be the alternative? So yes, you CAN change. You CAN find another way to make a living. When push comes to shove, it is amazing what we are capable of.
Is It Too Late to Change?
You say it’s too late for you to change now? If you are 50 and plan on working until retirement at 67, that means you will be working for 17 more years. Seventeen years. Think about that. Seventeen years is a very long time to be miserable or unhappy and unfulfilled. Is that what you REALLY want?
It’s Never Too Late to Make a Change
The idea that it’s “too late” to change careers or pursue a new path is a common fear, a lie we tell ourselves. We even hear it from other people all the time. But the truth is—it’s never too late. Every day, people take the leap and transform their lives at all ages, and you can too.
The key is to first get clear on what you truly want, then map out a plan to get there.
Yes, it will feel uncomfortable. Yes, it will be overwhelming and maybe even a little scary, and that’s perfectly normal. Know that you’re not alone in feeling that way.
The most important thing is to take that first step, no matter how small. Every tiny step you take today will bring you closer to your goal. Doing nothing is a surefire way to stay exactly where you are.
The moment you commit to change is the moment your life starts to shift.
Start with Reflection
Quick Exercise:
Grab a notebook and begin by making a simple list.
- What do you enjoy?
- What are you good at?
- What skills and experiences have you gained over the years? No accomplishment is too small to acknowledge.
You will see that you have more skills, knowledge, and experience than you give yourself credit for.
Then ask yourself: What would I do if I knew I wouldn’t fail?
I’m sure you’ve heard that before, but it’s important question to answer.
Why? Because we don’t let ourselves imagine or even dream of what seems impossible. Because we tell ourselves we would fail before we even begin, so we don’t allow ourselves to reach beyond a certain point.
Don’t limit yourself to conventional thinking. You’re not bound to a typical 9-to-5 job. There are countless ways to create an income and build a career that aligns with your passions.
Think big, think beyond your comfort zone. Nobody is judging you.
“If your goals don’t scare you, they aren’t big enough.” – Richard Branson
Define Your WHY
Once you know what you want, you have to define WHY you want it.
Why do you want that job, that business venture, or that lifestyle?
The WHY is really important, because without a strong WHY, you are not going to push yourself hard enough to make it happen. The WHY must be strong enough to make you really want it and to make the changes needed. It has to be strong enough to push you through the fear, pain, and discomfort of change.
For example, if you don’t feel passionate about writing, how are you going to become a writer?
If you dislike math, don’t become an accountant.
Be honest with yourself. Is this really something you would love to do? Would it give you the joy and challenge you are missing? Does the thought of this job or business get you excited?
If your WHY is to impress your friends or family, you are barking up the wrong tree. Be true to who YOU really are while challenging yourself beyond your normal comfort level.
Figuring out the WHY is a crucial step in the process and to your success in making it happen.
Define Your Path
Now that you know what you want and why, it is time to define the path on how to get there.
Make a list of the skills you’ll need to acquire in order to build the life or career you’re dreaming of.
Ask yourself:
- What skills do I need?
- What do I need to get better at?
- What steps can I take right now?
The time to start is now, not tomorrow.
Maybe You Don’t Have to Leave Your Job (YET)
Sometimes all we need is just a shift in our thinking. Once you have figured out why you don’t like your job, ask yourself “what would make me like my job more?” Maybe you feel that you get passed over for promotions and you are not really getting anywhere. Well, what have you done to deserve a promotion? What efforts have you put into your job that showcase how valuable you are?
Have you talked to your boss about your interest in moving to the next level and finding out how you can accomplish that? Your career and future lie in your hands. Not in your boss’s.
Think about how you can make your job work to your advantage. What do I mean by that?
Well, maybe you can’t leave your job right now, but how can you make your job work in your favor? By taking advantage of what your job and company has to offer to set yourself up. For example:
- Max out your 401k match. Free retirement money.
- Contribute to your HSA, if you are eligible. Triple tax savings.
- Take company-offered courses and classes. Free skill building and training. Think about areas that will help you both in your current job and in your future career. Take full advantage of these opportunities.
- Use in-house perks like the gym or go for a walk during your lunch break.
- Scheduling your free wellness checkups.
- Find a mentor. Learn from those you admire.
- Practice skills at work that you will need in your future career. Skills like communication, writing, sales, marketing, software skills, or writing code.
Once you realize how you can make these benefits work to your advantage and your future, you will shift how you think about your job.
What Are You Afraid Of ─ Can You Turn that Fear into Motivation?
What are you really afraid of?
- Are you afraid to feel lonely if you start your own business and work from home?
- Are you afraid of not having a steady paycheck?
- Are you afraid your family won’t support you?
All these are valid reasons. The question is, are your fears reason enough for not living your dream life? Are the reasons worth remaining in the same job for the rest of your life?
When you picture your life 5 or 10 years from now, ask yourself:
Will I regret going for it or will I regret not even trying?
The thing about time is that it will always pass no matter what we do, and those 5 years will pass faster than you think.
Do you really want to be in the exact same place 5 years from now? Do you want to live in the same house? Do you want to be in the same job? If you do, great. But if you don’t…
Work Through Your Fears
What could you do to resolve some of the fears?
For example, if you fear that you will feel lonely, make a list of things you could do to meet people in a different way, like:
- maybe join a gym or a walking group
- join a reading club
- take classes in person
- set up regular lunch or dinner dates with friends
Afraid that when you lose your steady paycheck everything will fall apart?
Sure, that could happen, if you don’t plan and prepare for your new future.
Test the Waters and Prepare Before You Quit
Quitting your job cold turkey is not wise. You need to make smart and informed decisions before you do something rash.
- Start your new dream job or business as a side hustle.
- Learn the skills you need to start your business or switch careers.
- Figure out if this is really something you enjoy doing before going full-time. It’s okay if it isn’t.
- Set aside an emergency fund that will carry you while you build your new life.
- Don’t burn any bridges.
Use Your Time Wisely
- Listen to podcasts or Skillshare lessons on your commute.
- Wake up 30 minutes earlier to work on your goals.
- Swap 1 hour of TV watching for learning and skill-building each night.
YES, You Can
Most people think that changing their life and their careers is not even an option.
We get brainwashed to think that we can’t have anything better than what we have right now. That we are supposed to put up with jobs and people and situations we don’t like because that’s life.
It’s like someone gave us a set of limitations and rules on how we should live our lives that they are forced to follow. So, we put on blinders and let circumstances and other people control what happens to us without a second thought.
It’s like that saying:
“If you don’t have a plan for your life, someone else does.”
And that plan is usually not going to benefit you.
Well, I am here to tell you that you’ve got options. Life is too short to waste away at a job you don’t enjoy. Step out of your comfort zone, one step at a time. Figure out what you want and what you are missing in your life. Formulate a plan. Sign up for classes to learn the skills needed and seek out free YouTube videos on the subject.
We are very fortunate to live in a time where everything you want to learn about can be found online and available for everyone. There really are no excuses. Only choices.
Start Now
Start that job or business as a side hustle to get the experience, knowledge, and confidence you need to leave your job. Save up for your rainy-day fund. Maximize your contributions to your retirement funds while you can.
You will have to put in extra work and hours to get there, but it will be worth it.
Your Challenge This Week:
For the next 7 days, spend 30 minutes each day exploring your next chapter. Journal, research, evaluate.
Get up earlier in the morning and do what the most successful people do–work on yourself. Instead of binge-watching TV, take some of that time and hone your skills. Focus on your goal, your WHYs, and how it will feel when you accomplish what you set out to do. But whatever you do, don’t let fear dictate your life any longer.
Remember: Change is always possible.
Start living your best life now. You only have one life, so don’t waste any more time. The last thing you want are regrets when it truly is too late. It’s about the choices we make that decide how we will live our life.
How will you live yours?