Most of us are happy enough with our jobs. When asked how it is going, our answer is often some version of ‘it’s fine‘. They allow us a good lifestyle, the environment is fairly pleasant, and they bring us lots of experience. So we can sit in those jobs for a long time. But there is a difference between this and doing work that you truly love. By that I mean a job that is not only ‘fine’, but that unleashes so much in you that you enjoy every day that you are immersed in it. It’s not something you ‘have to do‘, but that feels like you ‘get to do‘. So let me explain what happens when you stay at a job you are ‘fine’ with.
Beforehand I would like to fully acknowledge how much more rational, practical, safe, and balanced it is to stay in a job you are OK with. Of course! I have been there for years, and it is just plain normal. Because our human programming makes us stick with what we already have. The rest brings a lot of unknownness and all these risks. Absolutely. The fact is that we are conditioned to avoid those situations, and we get very good at rationalising that where we are is actually pretty good. We find lots of reasons why it’s best not to change.
That being said, by staying put, our overall life experience also gets diminished or altered. So let me show you what’s to win here, or how you could better your whole life by improving your job fulfillment.
- Whilst we are ‘fine’ with our jobs, they feel like a treadmill. There is ongoing repetition in going there and back, and the monotony of our tasks, meetings, and feelings at work. This is why we are looking forward to things that can break our routine: events off-site, WE’s, holidays. Is this the way you want to experience your life? Going on with the flow, and relishing in the bits of breaks you can fit in? What if you could find a job you loved, which would bring some excitement to your weeks too?
- When you are not doing something that lights you up, your unique genius is staying there dormant. The unique blend of your skills, character traits and strengths you possess is barely put to good use. Meanwhile you don’t feel that you matter as much. That you have much value to bring forth. And other people, causes and organisations are missing out. Imagine if I had stayed at my ‘OK’ job, you would never be reading this, full stop.
- Without you being fully aware of it, your lack of job fulfillment impacts the rest of your life. When you get home, you bring emotions that reflect how you felt all day. It’s frequent for us to be cynical, critical or stressed with our loved ones, family or friends as a result. Not ideal, and I have experienced this too. I remember snapping at my toddler for the smallest little stain on her top on the way to daycare. Or we feel too drained that we just want to do very little at home and sleep. We experience those things, and we don’t see the link. It’s only when things take greater proportion that we identify the need to change something at work. Chances are, the need is already there. It’s just not that bad.
When you do find work you love, you change routine for buzz. Your self-doubt turns into a higher sense of self-worth. Your close circles enjoy the new you, and benefit from it. They get inspired to do the same, and your level of serenity makes wonders at home. And when holidays come, you can’t even believe you even get to go somewhere. As opposed to counting the days and getting rundown. There is a way to break up the monotony. To make work fun, and a place you choose to be in everyday. And to live fully day in day out, not just in between. My wish is for you to find this place, and start experiencing the ripple effect.
