Your Job Sucks, So Now What?

So your job sucks, according to some surveys job dissatisfaction is well north of 50% and may be as high as 80%.  So you aren't alone.  The big question is why doesn't anyone do anything about it? and the bigger question is what can you do about it?

Most people that you meet are in a "comfortable life".  They have set themselves up so that their "lifestyle" is within 10% of their income.  They don't have any extra money, and when they get it they usually spend it.  When you get into the lifestyle trap your employer has put you in "golden handcuffs".

If you haven't heard the phrase or didn't understand what "golden handcuffs" are let me introduce you to the concept.  When you get a nice raise at a job you aren't happy with, you have two choices.  Maintain your lifestyle and use the extra money to invest in your escape plan.  Basically buying the key to release the handcuffs.  When you buy the new car or bigger house or move closer to the beach, then the handcuffs get a little tighter.

The bigger your job, and the bigger your bills, the bigger the golden handcuffs.  Your employer owns you, that is until you sell your self to another employer who bids the same or more for your services.

Do you see the problem?

If everyone started thinking as an independent contractor, they would never end up with golden handcuffs and could move to what ever job made them happy.  One of the ironies of major companies eliminating pensions and healthcare is that they are forcing you to begin paying on the keys to your own golden handcuffs.

In fact our tax system is designed to help you if you do become an independent contractor and stop working for W-2 wages.  The only extra taxes you pay are self employment and creative arts.  In the first case, your employer was paying the other half of your social security so your overall costs aren't any different if you go independent.

So Your Job Still Sucks, Now What?

When I wrote "So Now What?" several years ago, my goal was to help people like you answer that question.  After a few years of helping people, I have found that there is even more that I can do to help you and that is why I am writing this for you.

The first big thing to understand is your strengths and your market.  If you don't have a real strength, go find one.  A great book that covers the importance of that strength and why you need to build one is Be So Good They Can't Ignore You by Cal Newport.

Most people don't feel like they can walk away from their job because they fear losing the income and not being able to get it back before their house of cards collapses.  If you live in the US, Australia or even Canada, you are only limited by your imagination as to what you can achieve.

I haven't met anyone outside of the UK who feel this way in Europe, so I'll leave that thought to you.

One of the best tools to use if you want to build a life that others dream of is the "Want - Don't Want" exercise.  Simply put you write down all of the things you want and don't want in your life.

The best way to do this is with a huge whiteboard, and look at it every day for about a week.  Each day you will look at the board a little differently, and after 7-10 days you will start to see why you don't like your job.  You can also start to outline what you need to change in order to make your current job great or what kind of work you need to think about doing.

Most people that come to our office looking for help and guidance in the start up stage are full of "great ideas" that are great only to them.  They haven't figured out the market or even if there is one.

If your job sucks, start out listing why it sucks, and what it would need to be great.  Then see if you can work it out with your boss.  If you are good enough at your job, there might be some room.  If not, then you need some deep reflection to decide what's next.

If you don't change where your life is going, no one else will.