6 Signs That Your Crappy Job Is Holding You Back From Your True Potential And Greatness
Let’s face it: We all need money.
Anybody who says money isn’t important is either crazy rich or lives in a cult somewhere. What’s also important is our time. That is something we will never be able to get back, regardless of what our 401k looks like.
The 9-to-5 culture has come a long way since the 1960s. Back then, you could get away with working for the same company for 40 years, with all of the job security one could desire.
Not only does that make us Millennials want to throw up in our mouths a little, but that path has become just as unstable as that of becoming a Hollywood screenwriter.
In our current economy, companies expel workers by the thousands, and with the competition we face in 2014, we’re more expendable than we've ever been.
So why not go after what you really want instead of doing what you think you should be doing for work? After all, the risk of failure could be virtually the same.
The good news is that we are the generation of entrepreneurs. We are the products of the Baby Boomers of the 40s and 50s, and those Baby Boomers pumped out business-minded creatives that crave to scream, “I’m CEO, bitch!”
Hey, and since you were born with it, you might as well live up to it, right? But, how fed up are you with that thing you spend 40 to 80 hours a week on, really? The question isn’t how done you are, but rather how inspired you are to step into who you really are and say to hell with the rest.
For those of you who catch yourself complaining constantly about that blood-sucking job that’s ruining your life, here are six signs you needed to leave that job, like, yesterday:
You Dream of Working Fewer Hours
It happened: That moment in the movie "Office Space" finally played out in your life.
They’ve got you working Sundays (and 60 other hours during the week), and your relationship has been on the rocks since your schedules are on opposite ends of the earth and your kids can’t distinguish you from the nanny anymore.
When you open your paycheck, you think, “Is this all I’m worth?” even after all that overtime pay. You no longer have control over your time (or life) and it’s slowly breaking you inside. Ask the boss to scale you down or find something that is more your speed.
You Dream of Working Remotely
Perhaps you love what you do, but that two-hour commute isn’t worth it. Or you just don’t want to look at your boss’ smug gaze across the conference table again at the gazillionth meeting you have this week. Wouldn’t it be nice to do your work from home to spend time with the kids?
Or, better yet, from the beaches of Barcelona while the mojito bartender serves you at your feet? You mean people actually can make good money working away from an office?
Absolutely, and the opportunities have skyrocketed, especially since the birth of social media. Take the weekend and do some research in your desired field. You may be surprised.
You Dream of Being Your Own Boss
It’s never been easier to start your own company. If that seems a little intimidating as a first step, try network marketing. No, I’m serious.
Network marketing is a great way to get your feet wet with the entrepreneurial mindset. The fun part about it is some of your friends are already doing it, and maybe making some extra income on the side.
Trust me; join their business if they ask you, even if it’s for a couple of months. The personal development by itself that comes with the company training is worth it (and it's free!).
I know, I know, it sounds ridiculous, but how bad do you want that change? This is one avenue that can help get your mind prepared for it.
You Suffer from “You’re Still There?” Syndrome
Ever have that moment at a family dinner when your Uncle Gary interrupted you talking about your crappy job and said, “You’re still there?”
As a waiter in Los Angeles for many years, I used to have my own regular customers come in, sit at my tables and say to me, “Oh, you’re still here?” Nothing makes you want to take a tequila shot faster, especially when you feel you should be somewhere else.
If that phrase is a repetitive one in your brain, it’s time to make the jump to the next phase of your life. No need to let it fester into anger and resentment for not making the decision sooner.
Your Boss and Coworkers Don’t Share Your Vision
Ever notice how the conversations have changed radically since senior year of high school? Your besties went to Duke, Northwestern and even Yale. You were supposed to take over the world together!
But, somewhere in our 20s, we began reducing our dreams to fit the size of the box that are current income fits. Now, it’s “OMG, I took this amazing three-hour nap on Sunday!” or “I don’t have to work overtime next week!”
Your boss and coworkers might like you, but they don’t always have your best interest at heart. No need to force your “bigger picture” ideas on them. Chances are, they’ve given up on that or aren’t willing to change their routine enough to make that happen for themselves.
You’re Willing to Walk Away or Get Fired Based on Your Principles
If you’ve gotten to this one, you’re probably so over it that you’re ready to shake things up. Ever show up late to work or miss that meeting on purpose? Yup, the apathy has reached an all-time high and you couldn’t care less.
If they won’t give you that raise, the vacation time you were told you’d get or fair consideration for a much-earned promotion, put your two weeks in and get the hell out of there. Know when it’s time to walk and be professional about it.
We’re only here for so long. Is that job really getting you where you need to go? Can you set some resources aside to start a side business to leverage your time and income?
There’s no longer any reason to have all of your eggs in the “Work Sucks, I Hate My Life” basket. What do you really want to leave behind in this world? Your life starts now.
Photo Courtesy: HBO/Entourage
