The brain is a wonderful organ; it starts working the moment you get up in the morning, and does not stop until you get into the office."
---Robert Frost
The First Warning Signs
Most people laugh when they read this quote. Not because it's funny, but because they can relate to it . Most of my career coaching clients confide that they are actually 'living it.' It's not that they purposefully shut-down their brains when they get to work, they say that they feel unmotivated and uninspired by a job that is degrading and demeaning.
If You Always Do What You've Always Done.....
We've all had moments at work when we had to endure laborious, mind numbing minutiae that was boring and devoid of any significance or higher meaning. When those moments turn to years, however, it becomes a serious problem. What is tragic is that many people 'endure' their jobs regardless of their boredom or their lack of intellectual stimulation or their insignificant contributions. What begins as innocuous feelings of on-the-job duldrums, left unchallenged they become chronic apathy--- career killers. It reminds me of the old parable about 'Boiling Frogs'.
The old parable about how a frog, accidentially hopping into a boiling pot of water, will immediately jump out. Makes perfect sense. This same frog, if by chance he hops into a luke-warm pot of water on the stove, will not jump out, but will most likely stick around to enjoy the tepid spa experience. However, when the fire beneath the pot heats the warm water to hot, then to scalding and ultimately to a boil, the comfortable and tranquil frog will stay in the caustic environment 'til death.
How to Get Unstuck
Interestingly, when coaching folks with feelings of entrapment by a 'caustic' job, they report that it just sort of snuck up on them. And now, they feel like the frog from the parable--- it's too late, the waters are boiling. When folks who feel trapped by their jobs describe why they believe they can't jump out, here are the 7 'Highly Ineffective' (and most common) reasons they stick with it instead:
1. "I don't feel like changing jobs, it's such a hassle." (Laziness, Lack of Motivation)
2. "This job isn't boring--it's just easy." (Denial)
3. "I don't mind it, it's a no- brainer and it's easy money." (Short- sightedness)
4. "As long as the boss is happy with what I'm doing...." (Externally Motivated & Reactive)
5. "Something better will come along someday." (Passive & Inactive)
6. "There's nothing else out there for me--this is the best I can do." (Lost and Hopeless)
7. "Financially, I can't afford to make a move." (Fearful, thus the time is NEVER right.)
Time For a Gut Check
So, if these excuses have you convinced that your situation at work is ' OK ', then maybe you really don't mind your job and you should stay. At least for the time being. Over the long haul, the boredom and the feelings of degredation will take its toll, and one day, the pain of staying becomes greater than the perceived pain of leaving.
Just remember it all starts when you start asking yourself some tough questions about what you want out of your career and out of life. Be extra tough on yourself as you challenge the 'Highly Ineffective 7' reasons for letting the water around you come to a boil. That's when you'll have your epiphany, you'll jump out of the boiling kettle and begin your journey on to your new, fulfilling and enriching career with excitement and passion!
Tylor Behrens - 25 years of career guidance experience ranging from corporate, higher education, start-ups, consulting to teaching and professional ...
Join the Conversation