If you feel like your job isn’t giving you the same satisfaction that it once did, you’re not alone. In fact, thousands of people contemplate resigning and changing career paths on a daily basis.
How often do you dream about writing that best-selling novel instead of commuting to your 9-to-5 desk job? While this sounds like an amazing alternative to your current situation, it’s not always plausible to just up and quit your job to pursue the unknown.
If you’re looking, there are always ways to see negative aspects of the job you’re currently in. But on the same token, you can find just as many positives—or at least a few important attributes—that make you hate your job a little less. Let’s explore three main reasons why it’s still worth staying at your current job.
Do you hate your boss? Is some of your salary contingent upon performance? Are you having to fight through traffic everyday just to get to your workplace? Sometimes when you look at the negative aspects of your job, you also have a chance to see the positives.
Your boss might hate you but at least you get quality experience in the career path you love. Your hourly wage might be low but you also get medical benefits and paid time off. You might work crazy hours but you get to use overtime and holiday pay to rid yourself of debt or set aside money into savings.
Every time you think there is a part of your job that you can’t stand, there’s also perks that many other people may not experience. Try to shift your perspective and focus on the benefits of your current job and you will surely start seeing it in a more positive light.
Your job makes it so you can pay your bills, feed yourself and your family, ensure transportation, be reasonably dressed and enjoy small luxuries now and again. Sure, it’s enticing to think about quitting your job for something better. But “better†might not always be around the corner.
According to Mike Jablonski, career expert from Aussiewritings.com, “Everyone believes that the grass is greener on the other side, when the truth of the matter is, it’s often not. Simply having a job that supports your lifestyle is more than what half of the world’s population experiences.â€
At the very least, your current job provides you with an income that accommodates for your primary needs. Imagine having to decide between paying the electric bill and buying groceries for the month. That is sometimes a reality for a person who loses their job without a backup plan. What you’re experiencing now in your career might feel terrible, but at the end of the day, you are able to survive, which is what matters most.
I know, I know. People change and evolve their interests over time. But there has to be an important reason why you originally believed this would be the best job for you. Maybe you were trying to honor an artistic skill or learn a new skillset. Whatever passion drove you to apply to this job in the first place is still there within yourself— you just have to dig a little deep to find it. Once you know why you wanted this job in the first place, it makes it easier to keep pushing through the mundane or harsh work elements in order to reap the rewards.
When contemplating a change in jobs, you have to make the right choice based on your personal needs and current situation. However, if you are in the process of making a significant career decision, be sure to look through an objective lens. Write down the pros and cons of your job, and if it’s one specific instance that is influencing your decision making, try taking your emotional feelings out of the situation.
Once you are left with only the facts, you are able to make a choice that will most likely impact you better in the long run. Just remember that for now, there is a reason for your place of employment and even if you decide to leave your current workplace, it is still offering you value for the time being.
Still think you need to get out of your current job and find something you love? A career coach can help! Browse our directory of career coaches and get a FREE consultation or request a personalized coach recommendation!
Olivia is a journalist who is always ready to experience new things and share this experience with others. She is passionate about art and writing. Therefore, she usually spends time writing new articles or travelling around the world. Follow Olivia on Twitter.