What is the number one reason someone hates her job?
I feel the reason for hating your job is that you do not have a goal in mind. Hear me out…
A year after I got my diploma in journalism, I worked at a call centre and I hated it. One, my goal was to be a journalist, to go out and write stories. Two, I was sad that I wasn’t living my dream – being a journalist.
I didn’t really look for a job in the media industry, because while I was studying journalism, everybody in the industry (even my then lecturers) told me that I had to get my driver’s licence if I wanted a job as a journalist.
THE WHY
Imagine this: The news editor says someone has to immediately go report on an important event. Your job as a journalist is to grab your tools (car keys, notebook, pens, camera) and rush off to the story. If you don’t have a driver’s licence and there’s no driver or photographer around that you can go along with, you’re stuck at the office.
So, during that year of working in the call centre, my goal was to pass a driver’s test and get my licence. It was not easy.
I started freelance writing for a community newspaper on the Cape Flats as a side hustle. I would sometimes work during my lunch break, even go interview people. At night I would work on writing my story. I loved it.
The problem was that I started hating my call centre job. I became sad about the situation.
Anyway, at the end of that year (in 2010) I got my driver’s licence and I also got a full time job at the community newspaper that I did freelance work for. Obviously I was over the moon when this happened.
LOSING MY GOAL
Recently, I was reminded during a master class with Lexi D’Angelo that goals are important. Yes, currently I am not happy with my financial situation. I am trying to find a side hustle so that I can make more money.
Why? Well, end of January came and I got my salary but realised I don’t even have money for groceries. So I have to change my situation.
I love my job as a journalist, but I don’t like that I’m not making enough money to sustain my family.
I realise now that my mind-set was not right when I was working at the call centre. I was sad about not living my dream, just like I am sad at the moment that I cannot buy the things I want.
While working at the call centre, for a short while I forgot the goal I had in mind. This is what made me sad.
However, when I have my goal in mind and I am working towards it, I remind myself that the situation I don’t like being in is only temporary.
YOUR VISION KEEPS YOU SANE
Lexi D’Angelo was one of the speakers for the online “Go for It” Summit, which was hosted by Hollie Tkac. This is one of the things D’Angelo said that stuck with me: “Your vision, your mission and your why is your driving force that’s going to keep you when things are not going hot.”
She asked: “What is you mission, and how are you going to carry out actions so that you can make your vision a reality? What is your WHY? Why are you doing this in the first place?”
I became a journalist, because I want to be an author of books someday. That’s why I am enjoying my job, because I get to write and share people’s stories.
Though I am not in a good financial situation, I realise that I cannot hate my job. Yes I was sad, but no longer. I am in this situation temporary.
I have a lot to be grateful for and I have a lot to give. Right now I am keeping my goal in mind and finding ways of how I can achieve it.
What do you think? What challenges have you overcome in the past and how did you do it?
Feel good motivational quote for me as well Melissa..Yes i feel sad but this-what im doing right now is only temporary.
Everyday since i found out that i had to do my matric over, for me to achieve my dream was sad. I started doing my subjects over and saw what im capable of. I showed myslf that life doesnt stop the day you failed. And today im just one step away from achieving what i’ve dreamed about longtime ago
Letitia, thank you.
I love this what you are saying: “I saw what I’m capable of. I showed myself that life doesn’t stop the day you failed.”
Failure and doing it till you get it right, shows how strong you are. YOU CAN DO THIS no matter how long it takes.
Some really good points here! Really motivating!
Thanks Mel keep on doing what you doing..You doing it just right😉
Hi Mel, I love it and you are saying what so many are feeling. Working in the corporate environment I see it every day. There are just so many unhappy and angry people here. This is also not where I feel my purpose lies. That is why I am so excited now fulfilling my dream. It has always been my dream to write a book. All that counts, I think, is to keep moving forward (your Dori quote) and not give up. You never know what’s around the river bend (Pocohontas, I think).
Have a great day
Lynn
Perfect #WednesdayWisdom post mel
My ex also studied to be a journalist but she’s now running copy editing for an online gambling company lol. It’s funny where life takes you.
Ahhh the “Your Why” is my eternal enemy. I have tons of goals but no idea what my Why is. It keeps changing so i’ve decided not to cement it in stone. Eventually my mind will gel with the true one or it already knows subconsciously and i just needta catch up
I’m so happy you enjoyed it.
Awwwwww thank you star.
You know what Lynn, I think many of us don’t know that we are made to grow.
If you are unhappy, it could possibly be that you are too comfortable – you need to challenge yourself. That’s why we fail and we stand up after we fall because to just lie there will get boring. Well done on finishing that book!
Thank you Enricoh. Believe me I also have a lot of dreams and things I want to do, but I don’t know which is me.
Writing a book starts here on this blog – it’s my practice.
Melissa you are so right in so many levels about always having a goal in mind that will always push you to work harder. I am also in a situation where i am frustrated with the people i am working with and this may be pushing me to a different career path. I enjoy writing and i feel i need to do more of it. But i also love being a Business analyst just not within the environment i am in now. Lastly, your current situation is definitely temporary. You will make it just forge on
http://www.sindisosdiary.com
as always i love reading your blog
I am a recent graduate in communication. I have recently started job hunting and I must say its been a nightmare of a task. I have been rejected from most of the interviews I went for and it has been disheartening and discouraging. But I have to keep fighting for my dream to be realises. I also dream of writing stories and a book perhaps owning a blog too ( which I find difficult to manage, any advice would be appreciated). But this blog post really has encouraged me to keep going for what I want come what may.
I totally agree with you. I quit my job in advertising because I hated it. While I was in it, I realized that I was in the wrong place, but because I needed money, I continued working there, until the 4th month in and had an argument with the boss and quit on the spot.
This is really profound. We should never lose sight of the goal we have in mind because it can really mean the difference between persevering and giving up.
Thank you everyone for reading and sharing 🙂