Finally, the week is over!–This is what I used to think every time Friday came around. Until 10 years ago, I was caught up in a corporate job I hated. Never in my life was I so unhappy.
Are you happy with your job? Are you happy with the way your career is going? Or do you secretly wish you were doing something else? Perhaps have a better job in a more exciting environment, with a nicer boss, with more fun colleagues. Or one with better pay, recognition, and appreciation–Hello, I worked my ass off to create this report?!
Perhaps, changing jobs won’t cut it, and you need to make a major change. Whichever it is, why are you still here? Why haven’t you left your job for something else yet?
There can be so many reasons for that. Perhaps you think you lack the skills, or you don’t have the energy to get things moving. If you’re on a work visa, perhaps you can’t move yet. Or you simply just don’t know where to start.
When I was stuck in my 9-to-9 job, in a banking career that I despised, I was so narrow-minded. Despite working on a bunch of international projects and implementing strategies for the banking business, I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my own life. That was so sad.
I was like a horse with blinders on, only knowing the path before me: Climbing the corporate ladder and chasing promotions. For some reason, I never thought of even considering other career paths. Perhaps it was too scary. Or perhaps I was just used to going on autopilot.
Are you on autopilot too? Are you going about your days accepting your situation, not really thinking about whether you’re happy or not?
Reading this, you might realize you’re not happy where you are. And that realization is awfully painful. It takes some guts to acknowledge that you’re not where you want to be.
But believe me, fully realizing that you’re misplaced is the first step to change.
As long as you sugarcoat your situation, and pretend that you’re “fine” with the way things are, nothing will change. On the contrary, your life can devolve into pure misery, 5-10 years down the road.
Fast forward a few years since I left my banking career, I became a much happier person. I was less depressed and more enthusiastic about life. Slowly but surely I transitioned into a life of freelancing and self-employment. And boy was that a journey! Stressful and uncertain. But with each year, I became more fulfilled.
The same can happen to you. Start by admitting that you’re in the wrong place. And believe that there is a better job and career out there for you. One that’s more meaningful, that has a purpose. One that makes you excited to wake up in the morning.
Are you ready to start that journey? I will keep on reminding you to keep going. If I can do it, then you can too!
I’m about to finish my kindle book “Multiple Careers–Quit the Rat Race and Pursue Fulfilling Work” which will help you to find work you really love doing. I’ll keep you updated about the launch!
In the meantime, watch this video on how to find meaningful work on my youtube channel. It will give you some inspiration for your journey ahead.
