Skip to main content

Is it time to quit your job?

I worked at a company once, where the Director of Operations, was holding a meeting about Employee Engagement. This lady was a straight shooting, hard nosed go getter. She never tailored her pep talks to the meek. In the meeting she firmly said, “Engagement is your own personal responsibility. Although managers can improve your environment, you control your feelings towards your efforts and your work”.

At first I thought she was passing the buck a bit. At the time I had tyrant manager, and all of my visions of pushing her out of a window couldn’t possibly be misplaced, this was all her doing. Then I thought about it, if my own happiness is my responsibility, than she must be right. I was allowing my work environment to control my life.

It took far to long for me to understand how far to the end of despair.  I sought another opportunity with a giant boost in pay, that pushed me into a bigger DUNGEON of despair. I know what you’re thinking. How is that possible? You left the bad manager, you were making more money, why didn’t it work? Here are a couple of reasons why:

  1. I sought employment with the sole focus of leaving the job that I was at, instead of searching for something that would highlight my capabilities.
  2. I moved on, without completely understanding why I was miserable previously. So I brought all of  my demons and woes right into that new role.
  3. I was NOT living within my purpose.

I have always been a direct, assertive, and efficient team player. You know, all those things that employers love for you to be? I took the assignments that no one wanted, I worked overtime, I worked fast, I was always an ideal candidate. For all you sports fans, I was the ONE SHOT BOB of employees (Robert Horry)!!!

Then one day.. I wasn’t the fastest employee, I wasn’t working ANYMORE over time, I spent more time day dreaming than I did working, and I made more mistakes. I was tired. My then new manager noticed and called me out on it. So I began to LOATHE her. She didn't let up. I missed more workdays, I was looking more like a has been than the star player. Did I mention I was PREGNANT???

It has been proven that hating your job can even lower your immune system. So when you think that you are faking and calling in sick; you probably are somewhere in between depression and REALLY SICK. Sick of your life!

My initial goal for promotional role I mentioned, was to improve my skill set, take the advancement opportunities that I could, and move on.. I had a specific career path and while I worked within it, I was not satisfied.

Somewhere between 20 and 40 percent of Americans hate their jobs! Can you imagine how many of us are walking around virtually miserable!?!?


I have always been a creative person, first a musician, then a designer, and now a writer. However, at that time I wasn't doing any of that. For the sake of my family I tried to compete and thrive in an environment that I really didn't want to be in.  

Then I realized what was wrong. The sacrifice I made to not pursue my passions jeopardized my family more than the commitment I chose to make. It was at that moment when I chose to free myself of the SELF INFLICTED shackles I had put on myself. I left the high paying job and quickly began to reevaluate (didn't have much choice). Why? They fired my fantastic ass!

A few months ago, I took an interview with Sherri Shepherd as she was on a promotional tour for her recent projects. I was delighted to see her, and prior to meeting I read that before her big break she worked as a legal secretary. After her first big break fizzled out, she went back to her job as a legal secretary. The irony of all this was, I never asked her any questions about her past in relation to this. However, as the interview came to a close, she hugged me and asked me.

“When are you going to take a step out on faith? You can do this!“ Sherri not knowing me for longer than 11 minutes, saw right through me, and sensed my challenges. How serendipitous was that?

I still work and assist in supporting my family; but I carve out time to build my CAREER as well. One that I spend late nights working on. One that even if there isn't a computer present I write on my phone. It is worth it. It is my passion.

Of course there are people who believe that I should spend more time home with my kids/husband, or less time networking. Someone even  told me I was TOO OLD for a career change. At the time I was 32.

None of these people cared that I practically became a zombie when I was working 16 hrs days, and feeding my depression with food and caffeine. They thought I had succeeded because I was living in the ideal of their success. Not my own.

So yes, there will be people in your life that believe you should move along a linear path. The silver lining is sometimes, you will meet someone that can see you for who you really are. To help motivate you to become the person you were destined to be!

Everyone has a passion. It may not be creative, it could be a vision of feeding the homeless full-time or becoming a personal shopper. Truthfully speaking, the (INSERT ROLE) that you are busting your ass over,  isn’t going to help you attain that.

 It doesn’t have to be so drastic where you drop everything, and quit your job without a fall back plan. (I actually do not advise that). It is urgent for you to seek your own version of wellness. That should be taken care of sooner than later.

My story may not fit everyone. A lot of times the employment fix can be as simple as finding a new employer or changing the role that you are working in. It does require some clear thought and carefully planning. There might even be a need to seek counseling to determine if the turmoil you are facing is really linked to your job. In the end, your life path and goals are just as important as your sanity.

There are two types of people. People that believe that life is too short, and those that believe it is very long. The difference between the two is those that believe it is short are actually ENJOYING THEMSELVES. I would go out on a limb and assume that the enjoyment they have is not just on the weekends.

Spreading love and light until next time SistaGurls!
#captsistagurlout

https://www.forbes.com/sites/ashleystahl/2016/03/03/hate-your-job-heres-what-its-costing-you/#3af9ef076630

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

April Preyar: Unveiling Trials & Triumph Board Game -SG Holiday Gift Guide Feature

Legal Empowerment and Cool Vibes Collide in the Perfect Holiday Gift Hey SistaGurls, Laura Miller here, aka Capt SistaGurl, and I am beyond excited to introduce you to a game-changer in legal education and empowerment. As we dive into the SG Holiday Gift Guide, let's shine a spotlight on April Preyar, the legal luminary behind th revolutionary Trials & Triumph Board Game. Trials & Triumph: A Legal Luminary's Vision: Crafted by the brilliant mind of April Preyar, a 21-year-old criminal defense attorney, Trials & Triumph is more than a game; it's a tool for navigating police encounters and fostering critical thinking, especially in our teens. As Capt SistaGurl, I'm all about empowerment, and this board game is a game-changer in that department. Empowering Critical Thinking in Teens: One of the standout features of Trials & Triumph is its ability to awaken critical thinking in our teens. In a world full of challenges and peer pressures, this game equips the...

The Mary Jane Syndrome

The Mary Jane Syndrome By Kesia King Being labeled a "strong black woman" used to be a badge of honor.  A "strong black woman" takes on every battle life throws her way, while smiling with all thirty-two teeth, wearing 6 inch heels, a brief case on her shoulder, a baby bottle in her right hand a spatula in her left while on the phone listening to someone else's problems, when deep down she knows that she's actually the one that needs to be laying on somebody's couch, airing it all out! It's funny because a couple weeks ago when I threw this particular outfit on, I was dealing with some internal struggles myself.  Now, add in my homemade, bone straight wig, red shoes and matching red clutch, when I looked in the mirror I immediately felt like Mary Jane Paul, from Being Mary Jane!  I can relate to Mary Jane, because on the outside, she always looks like she has it together. If you've watched the show on BET, you know when she walks into a roo...

The Church is Failing: The Young Black Male

This is a taboo subject. That I’ve thought about quite a bit but never had the courage to really vocalize. Courage and fear are funny things because one of them is just as strong as the other, it’s just a question of which one you choose to live in. So today, I choose to live within a courageous light. Why, being a black woman, and an active christian would I have a fear vocalizing my opinion on how black men have been failed by the church? Messages are often misconstrued based on the perception of the reader. Additionally, it’s best practice to NOT add any fire to the flame of those that question institutionalized religion. However, in this case, I think I’d like to get this out with the hopes that some black man, within a particular age, will utilize this post as a reason to do better in reaching young black men. There was a time when the core of the civil rights movement was centered around black men and women within religious faiths. They actively worked together,...