3 Reasons We Don’t Like Our Jobs
The following insight is an excerpt of a great post by Margareta Ackerman. You can find the full piece here on The Change Blog.
Through my experiences, as well as those of others, I discovered the underlying reasons that many of us dislike what we do, and what we can do about it. I’d like to share some of these reasons with you to help you on your journey.
1. We devalue our own desires
Our society systematically devalues our wants and desires. Someone who greatly values their own desires is considered selfish and irresponsible. We are taught to put what we want on the back-burner, and ultimately, just forget about it all together.
Eventually, this becomes a habit, until we forget what it is that we wanted in the first place. We are so disconnected from our desires that we come to accept that we don’t enjoy our work and become complacent.
But enough is enough. It is your life, and your time is precious. Allow your wants and desires to resurface, and give them the attention that they deserve. It is time to put yourself first.
The first step to finding fulfilling work is reconnecting with your own desires. They will be the guide on your journey.
2. We believe in “talent”
Once we reconnect with our desires, we often realize that we’ve got a lot to learn before we can make a living from our passion. This is where most people stop.
Do I have what it takes? They wonder. The problem isn’t with the wondering, the problem is with the answer we often give ourselves. “I’m just not that talented at __” we might think to ourselves.
Let’s get one thing straight: There is no such thing as talent. Anyone who was ever really good at anything spent an inordinate amount of time learning and practicing.
No one is born a talented actor, singer, ballet dancer, programmer, manager, etc… But those who have the passion in their hearts find the time to become good at it.
So forget about talent – it does not exist! Instead, start learning, until you become an expert at what you love. And then, everyone will exclaim: “What talent!”
3. We’re afraid of change
Even when we realize what we need to do to make our dreams a reality, underlying much of our inaction is a potent fear of change. We are afraid to rock the boat. We are scared, that somehow, if we make the smallest step towards our dreams, it would shake the underlying core of our lives, and everything will fall apart.
But what we need to realize is that change is natural and is essential for our growth and development. Nothing ever stays the same anyway. But by taking charge of your life, you control the direction of the change!
I suggest that you start small. Take a tiny step towards making your dreams come true today. Bit by bit, you can make a real difference in your life.
***
The journey to find meaningful and fulfilling work can be scary – believe me, I know. But it is also wonderful, exhilarating, and ultimately, incredibly rewarding. Keep at it, and you will succeed.
I wish you all the very best on your journey.