How can I feel more grateful for my job?
Discussion
Most people have urges to quit their jobs at some point or another. I’ve had it a few times in the past but have always soldiered on out of financial dependence and pride – and in the end, it's all worked out for the best.
I’m struggling a bit in my current role, though, which I started last summer. The role itself is the same as I’ve done for other employers, but my colleagues are lazy, directors don’t turn up to meetings, and when they do, they flap about, paralysed by indecision. There is also zero camaraderie in this small and extremely mixed business.
The difference now, though, is that my mortgage is paid off, I have no debt and an OK f
k-you fund.
This is making my appetite to stick around a lot more difficult, but quitting so soon into a role feels wrong, especially without another to go to. It’s just not in my nature to take the easy way out, but I realise this might be my pride fking with me.
I’m probably also paid about 15-20% better than almost all the similar roles I can see advertised at the moment. I’d feel like an idiot if I left and ended up taking another job a few months later at a reduced salary, especially if that role turned out to be extremely stressful.
My CV is updated and out on job boards as of today, but a new role could be 6+ months away. In the meantime, I want to stick with it and give my role 100% effort.
How can I increase my motivation while in direct fire of stupidity, administrative burden, endless rework, and zero support?
I’m struggling a bit in my current role, though, which I started last summer. The role itself is the same as I’ve done for other employers, but my colleagues are lazy, directors don’t turn up to meetings, and when they do, they flap about, paralysed by indecision. There is also zero camaraderie in this small and extremely mixed business.
The difference now, though, is that my mortgage is paid off, I have no debt and an OK f
k-you fund. This is making my appetite to stick around a lot more difficult, but quitting so soon into a role feels wrong, especially without another to go to. It’s just not in my nature to take the easy way out, but I realise this might be my pride f
king with me. I’m probably also paid about 15-20% better than almost all the similar roles I can see advertised at the moment. I’d feel like an idiot if I left and ended up taking another job a few months later at a reduced salary, especially if that role turned out to be extremely stressful.
My CV is updated and out on job boards as of today, but a new role could be 6+ months away. In the meantime, I want to stick with it and give my role 100% effort.
How can I increase my motivation while in direct fire of stupidity, administrative burden, endless rework, and zero support?
Macneil said:
If you're the only person there with a work ethic and you know better than the directors how to run their business stick around you'll be running the place soon.
I suspect this comment may be a little tongue-in-cheek, but there is succession planning in place for me to take over from one of the directors when they retire. A timeline hasn't been put on it, so I could be waiting another year or two.I'm not going to be naive enough to hedge all my bets on this, though. In my previous role, I was offered a senior management position without a pay rise, not even a penny. Nothing to suggest my current employer wouldn't take a similar strategy.
Actual said:
This is an experiment...
Go to work every day wearing a suit a tie and have a briefcase.
Everyone from outside the business who meets you will think that you are in charge.
Any new employee with think that you are in charge.
In 1 year you will be in charge.
I appreciate the humour, but we are a 100% remote business. I do, however, wear a suit at company events, while most people are in jumpers or even hoodies. Go to work every day wearing a suit a tie and have a briefcase.
Everyone from outside the business who meets you will think that you are in charge.
Any new employee with think that you are in charge.
In 1 year you will be in charge.
Dress for the job you want and all that
Is there anyone in the chain of command that you truly respect?
On the basis that managers want solutions, not problems, how about writing to this person with a list of reasons why you think the morale and work ethic within the company is so poor, and a number of suggestions about how you would go about improving things.
If the individual promotes your ideas you could they want you to put you in a position to turn the company around; if they don't, then that is your cue to find a company that does deserve you working for them.
On the basis that managers want solutions, not problems, how about writing to this person with a list of reasons why you think the morale and work ethic within the company is so poor, and a number of suggestions about how you would go about improving things.
If the individual promotes your ideas you could they want you to put you in a position to turn the company around; if they don't, then that is your cue to find a company that does deserve you working for them.
Jasmine1 said:
I suspect this comment may be a little tongue-in-cheek, but there is succession planning in place for me to take over from one of the directors when they retire. A timeline hasn't been put on it, so I could be waiting another year or two.
I'm not going to be naive enough to hedge all my bets on this, though. In my previous role, I was offered a senior management position without a pay rise, not even a penny. Nothing to suggest my current employer wouldn't take a similar strategy.
If you had taken the job and made significant improvements, the company would have been crazy not to reward you once have demonstrated the value to them of you in the new position. If they didn't, you would have had the evidence you needed to demonstrate to other employers that you were worth the money to them that your current one should have been paying you. Think of it like piece work; you have got to produce the extra output first in order to get paid for it. I'm not going to be naive enough to hedge all my bets on this, though. In my previous role, I was offered a senior management position without a pay rise, not even a penny. Nothing to suggest my current employer wouldn't take a similar strategy.
GliderRider said:
Is there anyone in the chain of command that you truly respect?
On the basis that managers want solutions, not problems, how about writing to this person with a list of reasons why you think the morale and work ethic within the company is so poor, and a number of suggestions about how you would go about improving things.
If the individual promotes your ideas you could they want you to put you in a position to turn the company around; if they don't, then that is your cue to find a company that does deserve you working for them.
Fair points, but it would be interesting to know from the OP, whether any of the Directors recognise the current issues?On the basis that managers want solutions, not problems, how about writing to this person with a list of reasons why you think the morale and work ethic within the company is so poor, and a number of suggestions about how you would go about improving things.
If the individual promotes your ideas you could they want you to put you in a position to turn the company around; if they don't, then that is your cue to find a company that does deserve you working for them.
I spent a few hours late last night clearing out my work inbox, trying to reduce the inevitable stress of Monday morning.
I also reviewed my personal finances. If I put in my notice now, I’d have enough money to live comfortably until the end of the year (including a few sensible holidays).
However, I’ve set myself the goal of not quitting before my first year (including my two-month notice period), which will bolster my finances further.
Although a sabbatical/gap year would be extremely welcome, this is going to remain plan B. Hopefully, recruiters will call me regularly, as they did last summer.
I also reviewed my personal finances. If I put in my notice now, I’d have enough money to live comfortably until the end of the year (including a few sensible holidays).
However, I’ve set myself the goal of not quitting before my first year (including my two-month notice period), which will bolster my finances further.
Although a sabbatical/gap year would be extremely welcome, this is going to remain plan B. Hopefully, recruiters will call me regularly, as they did last summer.
I have similar feelings sometimes though it's a slightly different and better dynamic especially around the team.
I just see it as I fundamentally enjoy the role and it's decent money for nothing when I see what some people do because they're either not skilled enough to have too much choice or they don't have a choice financially.
Helps put things in perspective I find
I just see it as I fundamentally enjoy the role and it's decent money for nothing when I see what some people do because they're either not skilled enough to have too much choice or they don't have a choice financially.
Helps put things in perspective I find
Actual said:
This is an experiment...
Go to work every day wearing a suit a tie and have a briefcase.
Everyone from outside the business who meets you will think that you are in charge.
Any new employee with think that you are in charge.
In 1 year you will be in charge.
You know it's not 1950 anymore? I'd assume that person was filming a 'People Dying Inside' Tik Tok video.Go to work every day wearing a suit a tie and have a briefcase.
Everyone from outside the business who meets you will think that you are in charge.
Any new employee with think that you are in charge.
In 1 year you will be in charge.
I've been fortunate in that I've enjoyed most of my jobs. If motivation is your main problem though, then I can give you one piece of advice that worked for me at the times I wasn't enjoying it so much.
Forget that you're an employee. Think of yourself as your own boss, selling your services to someone else. Create your own goals and aspirations, and work in a way that will best achieve them. Remember that you can leave and withdraw your services at any time, and only continue to provide them because it suits your purpose.
The reality may stay the same, but seeing it from a different perspective can be very liberating.
Forget that you're an employee. Think of yourself as your own boss, selling your services to someone else. Create your own goals and aspirations, and work in a way that will best achieve them. Remember that you can leave and withdraw your services at any time, and only continue to provide them because it suits your purpose.
The reality may stay the same, but seeing it from a different perspective can be very liberating.
bigpriest said:
Actual said:
This is an experiment...
Go to work every day wearing a suit a tie and have a briefcase.
Everyone from outside the business who meets you will think that you are in charge.
Any new employee with think that you are in charge.
In 1 year you will be in charge.
You know it's not 1950 anymore? I'd assume that person was filming a 'People Dying Inside' Tik Tok video.Go to work every day wearing a suit a tie and have a briefcase.
Everyone from outside the business who meets you will think that you are in charge.
Any new employee with think that you are in charge.
In 1 year you will be in charge.
I think you’re asking the wrong question OP.
You should be asking why shouldn’t you quit right now and do something else that brings you more joy.
That year that you’re talking of wasting doing something you don’t enjoy is one of just 80 you probably get on this earth. Of course, sometimes people have to stuck in jobs they hate because they’ve no choice, they need the money. But if you don’t, I would quit tomorrow.
You should be asking why shouldn’t you quit right now and do something else that brings you more joy.
That year that you’re talking of wasting doing something you don’t enjoy is one of just 80 you probably get on this earth. Of course, sometimes people have to stuck in jobs they hate because they’ve no choice, they need the money. But if you don’t, I would quit tomorrow.
Gassing Station | Jobs & Employment Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff