If You're Feeling Trapped In Your Job...Admit It & Live Differently This Year

I feel trapped in an endless cycle with no end.

~Worker Living in New York

You are reading from the book “Just Quit” & Live

Today, ask yourself if you feel trapped in your job, at your organization, with your team, at the location you work, or working for your boss.

 It’s a yes or no answer –

DO YOU FEEL TRAPPED?   

P.S. (This is for all the people out there looking for a link, or a video, or ANOTHER inspirational quote.)

NOBODY is going to give you the answer to the above question.  Stop looking for other people to figure this out for you.  Stop beating yourself up about the situation you are in.  Stop lying to yourself about it. Just face it. Stare it down.  Look at it.  It is what it is.  Take a good long look at your work situation, because until you face it you’ll STAY stuck for ANOTHER year.

You CAN get un-stuck this year.  You MUST get un-stuck this year. Step-by-Step you can do this.  Yeah YOU can wake up and WANT to JUMP out of bed. Why NOT you?

P.P.S.

If you’ve read this far…put your hand over your heart…leave it there until you can feel your heart beating. (It might take a minute to tune in and feel the beating…you might even have to close your eyes to focus in.)

Now, this is your reminder that you are alive.  You are still alive.

STOP EXISTING & LIVE!!!

 

Proud of Your Job? Test That...Tell Your Children How Proud You Are...

I feel like I am in an unsafe environment. There is no plumbing or heating at my job, I have found out that the company I work for has been sued over eight times in the past five years, and that I am working for a con-artist.

My work environment is abusive and there is constant workplace bullying. People play mind-games with me and never shoot straight: One minute I’m doing good, the next minute I’m doing terribly.

My boss is a psychopath with violent tendencies and I feel terrified around him. His office has a weird aura and he humiliates me in front of other coworkers. I’m now starting to realize that I haven’t been getting any real training this whole time. I don’t know who to trust in this environment and I feel trapped. This job was never about the money for me, but now I’m starting to realize even money wise, this job has become an expense, both mentally and financially and it is not worth it.

I feel like I have been conned into working here because these people knew I was overqualified.

~Worker Living in NEW YORK

Today, count your lucky stars if you have never experienced working for a shadow company or a con-artist boss.  If you have had this experience then you can sympathize with those who are in that type of work situation.

It’s difficult, especially once you realize it and your eyes are open.  Then…you have to decide…to stay or to go.  To help you make the decision sometimes you have to remove yourself from the situation and pretend like it is someone else experiencing it. 

If your child were in your shoes, as a parent, what would you advise them to do?  If you were to sit down with a beloved grandparent (dead or alive) could you be proud of where you work, who you work for and what you do…without fibbing just a little about the situation?

Stop Being "Nice" (a.k.a. Stupid) and Get Real About Your Career Situation

Retail drains me! It isn’t a career; it’s merely a survival job.

I’ve had enough of rude management, rude associates and most of all rude customers.

The only thing that is good is that I get paid weekly. Otherwise, there’s no reason for me to stay since there are mostly cons: I’m physically sore in my hips. Sometimes my feet really get wrecked. Stupid, juvenile coworkers who mainly live on the Southside. They need this job because they have kids or a man they gotta take care of (another kid!).

Subpar training. You’re expected to know everything when they themselves don’t know sh*t. Monotonous, boring work. Saying and doing the same things all the time with no real excitement. Being phony-nice. I USED to be nice. Marshalls changed that. Putting on the phony nice girl act shows how unhappy I really am.

Now I barely get there on time. It’s over.

I’m so miserable at my job, it’s affecting my health. I feel trapped and stagnant and KNOW this is not how my life is supposed to be.

~Worker Living in NEW YORK

Look up the Etymology of nice….STOP being “nice”.

There comes a time when we KNOW that we need to change. Usually this happens when our misery starts to impact our health.

It doesn’t have to get to this point but when it does we have to get real with ourselves. No more being “phony-nice”. 

We have to take action and do something.  We can live the lives we’ve imagined…we just have to start. 

Paying The Mortgage AND Having A Career With Meaning

I need to quit to keep my sanity. I am so stressed that I can’t focus.

I hate getting up in the morning to go to work, but tell myself “I have to pay the mortgage!”

I used to like what I do but now I don’t care anymore. I don’t like feeling like this. I’m getting close to retirement and I want to find something I’ll enjoy doing again – an “encore career” –  that has meaning, but I’m afraid that I’ll slip into poverty over time.

~Worker Living in NEW YORK

How did it happen where the choice is to pay the mortgage vs. a career with meaning? How and when did this happen?

We can do both.  We can have a career that has meaning to us AND pay the mortgage. It takes some planning but we can make it happen.

“This” is our job…to find our life’s work… our reason for being here on planet earth…and it is NOT to get a paycheck to pay the mortgage.

If we actively pursue our life’s work –  WITHOUT FEAR  – the universe will actively work with us to make the connections.  Doors will open.  Doors WILL open.

Question Why You Hate Your Job: Behind Every I Hate Is A "Why" & Behind Every "Why" Is A Value

I hate my job.

I hate going there.

I hate the patients.

I hate their families.

I hate the administration and their disregard for the hard work I put in.

I hate that my boss changes my time card and doesn’t pay me overtime.

I hate being yelled at by family members.

~New York

I hate this and I hate that. You can list everything that you hate about your current job.  It’s a very easy starting point.

Behind every I hate is a “why” and behind every “why” is a value.

If you don’t know your values…start with your I hate list and it will lead you to what’s important to you in your next endeavor.

Skydive Into Your Future

I’m not professionally happy and feel undervalued in my current role.

My job no longer motivates me to work hard and contribute 100%.

I also feel burnt out after 15 years of working at high speeds in a high demand environment.

I have a decent bit of money saved up (enough for at least 4-6 months) and feel confident that I can tap my network for consulting opportunities to fill the gap in long- term employment.

~Worker Living in NEW YORK

After you have worked the Steps and the kinks in the plan then it’s time to take the “Just Quit” Step…it feels strange…even when you know-that-you-know AND you are prepared…it still feels strange. 

You can’t believe you are actually going to do it.

It’s like skydiving. You know you’re going to land somewhere you just don’t know where, when or how. (Don’t let that example scare you).

You’re so use to knowing where you are going to land before you leave a place.  You don’t know this time because there is no job to go to.

You are not getting laid off. This is a decision you are making, but it is a decision you are prepared to make. You have saved enough money and here you are at the jumping off point. 

There is all this opportunity. 

There is all this possibility.

It’s wide-open for you.

You just have to take that final Step and fly into your future.

When Your Intuition is Roaring...Listen To It

It is toxic. 

My micromanagement boss told me it is his way or no way at all and he is doing everything possible to put me in the wrong direction and says so with a happy face.

Toxic!!!!!!!!!!!!

~Worker Living in NEW YORK

Today, realize that you know what is best.

If you are in a toxic workplace and you listen to yourself; you will know what to do to survive or to get out.

You know what is best. You do.

Just trust your intuition.

You are reading from the book “Just Quit” & Live

We Are All Creative. You Are Creative. Create Something.

I know this job is not my passion.

I feel strongly that although I do not have a business plan lined up, I can develop the ideas and creativity to make it work out for me.

I have a boss who is abusive and there is little room for success and mobility.

I’m stuck.

~Worker Living in NEW YORK

We are all creative.

Each and every one of us is creative.

“Just Quit” is about finding and honoring that spark that wants to ignite inside of us…our creativity.

Today, do something creative.

We can develop the ideas and creativity to make everything work out for us.

You are reading from the book “Just Quit” & Live

Okay, So You Ended Up With A Boss. It Happens. Now Decide What To Do.

My boss is impossible to work with. He’s arrogant, condescending, and passive aggressive.

He blames me for EVERYTHING even if it’s not my fault and then, when it turns out to be a glitch with the software or when it turns out to be HIS fault, then, suddenly, it was no big deal.

He has MANY MANY  MANY rules that are difficult to abide by because the rules continue to change. What was okay yesterday isn’t okay today. He’ll say one thing and then say the opposite. Or he’ll claim to have told me something even though he hadn’t.

He lies and exaggerates deadlines if I need the day or afternoon off for appointments. I get no medical coverage, no benefits, no sick days, and no vacation days.

~Worker Living in NEW YORK

Today, we will take a look at our immediate supervisors.

There are issues. There are always issues with our bosses.

Some of the issues are worse than others, just like some of the bosses we’ve had have been worse than this one.

We can’t change our boss, but we can change ourselves. 

We are adults. We can make the decision to stay or leave.

We can make the decision to transfer within the organization or not.

We can decide.

We are only stuck if we continue to believe that we are stuck. The moment we start moving towards getting un-stuck; we realize we are not stuck in cement like we thought.

We can make a change in our lives…and we will. 

You are reading from the book “Just Quit” & Live

BE Awesome: You Are Not Your Job. You Are Not Your Title. You Are Not Your Salary. You Are Awesome.

This job has turned me into a sad horrible person.

I used to be so awesome and now I feel like nothing.

~Worker Living in NEW YORK

You KNOW you are awesome. 

This job can’t make you not awesome when you are.

Say it:   “I AM awesome.” 

One more time: “I AM awesome.”

You are awesome.

You are not your job.  You are not your title.  You are not your salary. 

You are you and you are awesome.

Today, BE who you are…Awesome.

You are reading from the book “Just Quit” & Live

P.S. – Ethymology of  the word Awesome…today be in Awe of yourself…

awesome (adj.) 1590s, “profoundly reverential,” from awe (n.) + -some (1). Meaning “inspiring awe” is from 1670s; weakened colloquial sense of “impressive, very good” is recorded by 1961 and was in vogue from after c.1980.

If Your Job Was A Romantic Relationship Would Your Go or Would You Stay?

If this was a romantic relationship, my friends and family would be  begging me to run. 

~Worker Living in NEW YORK

Today, if I were to look at my job like it was a romantic relationship would I go or would I stay?

You are reading from the book “Just Quit” & Live

P.S.  What if Tina hadn’t left Ike?  What if you don’t leave your job?  Remember “Just Quit” starts out as a decision that you make…THEN you start putting a plan together towards carrying out that decision…Let Go to Let Come…Simply The Best Life Might Be Waiting For You Too…

The Grand Plan for Your Life Is Good. Just Sing YOUR Song.

I’ve been at the same company for 11 years and going nowhere.

The work is not at all challenging, and so much is expected of us (with little in return).

I don’t care about the product we make or the work we do–it does not inspire me at all.

I detest Sundays, and just struggle through each week until I can make it to the weekend.

~Worker Living in NEW YORK

Today, I will think about the fact that this is my life.

I can no longer afford to go week-by-week just existing, just making it through the week, surviving.  I deserve more than this.

No one else is going to get me out of this. 

I have to make the effort to move forward. I have to do this for myself.  Even if things don’t go quite as fast or exactly as I plan at least I need to have a plan.

Every other escape plan may have failed but I cannot give up.

My plans might just be too small. Maybe there is a bigger plan.  Maybe there is a grander plan in the making.

No matter, whatever the plan, the grand plan for my life is good and I will actively work it.

 You are reading from the book “Just Quit” & Live

Is There Really Still A Career Ladder to Climb?

I am physically sick. I have anxiety every day when I enter work. I have even gone to the bathroom because I thought I was going to puke from the amount of anxiety I have. I also got vertigo while there in April, and it hasn’t gone away completely since – it is now August.

I work with manipulative people, they act like they are in high school – they expect you to know things that you were never taught, they try to keep you at the lowest possible rung with no way of getting out of it, and they dump all of their work on you and don’t help you.

~Worker Living in NEW YORK

I will take a close look.

Am I trying to climb a ladder?

Is the ladder in the right industry FOR ME?

Is the ladder in the right organization?

Do I need to get off of this ladder?

I will take a close look…

 

You are reading from the book “Just Quit” & Live

P.S. – One more question….is there even a ladder anymore?

Don’t just sit there WAITING to climb up some invisible “ladder”…especially if you are just starting out in your career. Don’t let others sabotage you and keep you stuck.  You are NOT stuck…but…you have to have courage to recognize that and to act.

Just figure out what you want to do, how you want to use your talents, what you want to offer to the world, and move towards that…even if it is something small like researching that topic, curating information and tweeting about it. 

Below is a survey link which has a list of questions to help you determine if you are READY to Just Quit Your Job Without Another One:    Take Our Survey!  

If You Fell Into Your Profession...You Don't HAVE To Stay...

In addition to providing no challenge, or fulfillment — my current job is completely unrelated to my personal interests and values.

I fell into the position because it paid very well and came with a certain degree of prestige, but I’ve never truly been interested in the work, or the industry and I’ve been looking for a way out since I hit the three-month mark (I’m currently a week shy of two years).

I’m not able to use my natural strengths, and I am 100% confident that this job is in no way related to my true purpose.

I can also no longer tolerate working with my manager or as part of a “corporate” culture.

~Worker Living in NEW YORK 

We know.

We know when we don’t fit.

No amount of money or prestige can hold us when we already know.

Just because we “fell into a profession” doesn’t mean a thing.

You are not stuck there.

You can change it.

Today, start moving towards your personal interests and values.

Don’t wait until tomorrow, start TODAY.

Your true purpose in life will only unfold when you let go of what is not working.

You are reading from the book “Just Quit” & Live

Looking For Joy Today? It's In The Journey.

My boss is a terrible negative woman that I dread working with.

I don’t like being away from my son. I want to be with him all the time.

There is no real joy in my job.

I work with several miserable people and I do not make what I would like to be making.

~Worker Living in NEW YORK

Today, make a promise to yourself: to find real joy. 

Say to yourself: “I deserve joy. I want joy. Help me to find joy in my life.”

You Know You're On the Right Track When You Become Uninterested In Looking Back

I need more time to work on my projects, such as writing my book, and finding clients, so that I can be more involved in the wellness industry.

~Worker Living in NEW YORK

You are reading from the book “Just Quit” & Live

If you know EXACTLY what you want to do then DO IT.  

Find the time to follow your bliss. 

Doors will open.  Doors will open once you get on the right track. You just need to GET on the right track.

Tell Your Family What Is Going On At Work

My employer wants me to work more hours for less pay. I already don’t see my wife as it is and when I do we only have an hour to catch up.

I dread going to work every day.

~Worker Living in New York

You are reading from the book “Just Quit” & Live

Talk to your family and loved ones about your situation and your decision (Step 3). They need to know what is going on. 

They might not agree with your line of thinking, but they need to know what you are thinking.

They will have an opinion and you are strong enough to listen to it.

At the end of the day family and those you love and that love you are the most important relationships that you will have.

Seek their support.

Let Go Of Hatred. Have Compassion. Grow.

The bosses disrespected me. They hire new guys who are less experienced than me and pay them more. They fire a lot of the blacks and hire the Spanish people, which are all related to each other by marriage or family.

My hours have increased, but the pay has not, and they told us to come into work an hour late to avoid paying us the extra hour. When I did get a raise they only paid me .50 cents and 1 dollar on my hourly rate.

Everyday a customer insults me because I ask them questions I have to ask for my job. The pay for my job leaves me with little to no money after I pay my bills. I had to move back into my parent’s house just to afford to live.

I no longer respect many of my coworkers and none of the people in charge.

I’ve had nervous twitches and constipation. I never sleep through the night and I cannot even meet new women.

I’ve also have thoughts of murder or retribution.

~Worker Living in NEW YORK

You are reading from the book “Just Quit” & Live

In order for us to move forward and let come a better situation for ourselves, we have to want that for everyone else as well, even those we feel are mistreating us or abusing their positions. Until we can let go of the anger and bitterness of our situation it will continue to keep us stuck.

Any thoughts of hate or retribution that you have towards your co-workers or bosses become aware of it,  and ask for help to have compassion on those who have harmed you. 

If you can find compassion for them it will release you and allow you to move forward in your quest for a better future for yourself, your career and your family. 

It will help you to grow.

P.S. Want to learn to be compassionate?  Great book to read:

If You Don't Do YOUR Life's Work, Then Who Will Do It???

I’m thinking about quitting my job without having another one lined up because I want to live in my passion full time.

I want to have more time to focus on my consulting business. I want to devote more time to learning my field, really honing my evaluation skills.  I want to become an expert in the field of program evaluation for organizations and community groups that have programs and services targeting women and girls of color.

I want to be location independent and have the freedom to choose which projects I take on and which clients I work with.

I want to do work that matters and makes me feel that I’m really making a difference.

~Worker Living in NEW YORK

You are reading from the book “Just Quit” & Live

Once you have a very clear idea of exactly what you want to do after you “Just Quit” then this should give you the courage to keep moving forward. You already know what you want to let go of…your current job…you made that decision in Step 1.

If you have done the hard work of figuring out your passion (Step 4), first congratulations and second allow this to propel you to the future that is waiting for you.

It’s time to work the rest of the Steps, and be able to set your date of departure so you can set sail to your next destination.

What If? & Why Not?

I want to quit my job without another one lined up because I am so unhappy that I can’t go a day without crying.

It is tearing apart my relationship with the love of my life.

I dread going into the office every day because it is torture.

The VP over me is completely rude, belittles me, and treats me like a little girl.

~Worker Living in NEW YORK

Today…ERASE the board of your mind and just ask yourself WHAT IF? and WHY NOT? questions. You’ll be surprised how the possibilities will appear. Go ahead…Why Not?

If you are crying every day; if your relationships are falling apart; if going into the office is torture; if you are being mistreated…you need to ask yourself if you deserve better. 

If you do, then you need to decide right now and today that you will first accept where you are today… because until you can accept where you are and what is… you will stay stuck hoping, wishing and praying that things will be different – magically – today, right now.

That is not how life works. 

You are strong, you will make it through this time and you will be able to share with others the pain and anguish that you endured. You will be able to encourage them with YOUR story of how you made it through.

Just hang in there, it will all work out.  You will make it through today and tomorrow and the next day…just hold on and work the Steps…