Just Quit Your Job Survey Results - May 2013

“I’m depressed, anxious, stressed, and contemplate suicide at work. I’m physically sick from the depression, anxiety and stress, and being sick at work only makes the mental problems worse, which starts a cycle. My boss is an a–hole with unrealistic demands. I have to do all of my work, plus extra, plus clean up my co-worker’s half-a–ed job.”  ~Comment from a Worker in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware

As I was analyzing the stats from the survey and preparing this post the above comment came in around noon on June 1st.  Since this came in in June it would not have made the May 31st cut-off, BUT go back and re-read that quote. It depicts the depths of pain that people are in today.  Remember this when you walk by someone at work or on the street. Depression Caused by Job Stress is Real and Can Cause People To Contemplate Suicide.  This is a very serious situation.   If you are a someone who can help me identify resources  – not to make a buck off of people, but for FREE – just to help people who are in this particular situation and suffering, please get in touch with me.  

Yet another month has passed. For some people EVERY workday is a struggle to just survive. Hopefully this survey and it’s results will help bring light to this plight of today’s workers – who are, as it seems from the survey results, experiencing this all over the world.

If you’ve never been there  –  where you want to quit your job without another one, no matter what – then you can  not truly understand this particular pain. For those who are currently experiencing this – know that you are not alone and most importantly know that this will end and you will survive this time in your life and in your career. For those of you who love someone who is in this pain – understand that this is real and try to support your loved one in their decision even though you might not understand.

Summary of Survey Results Ending May 31, 2013:

This months’ answers to the question: Why Are You Thinking About Quitting Your Job Without Another One?

• I can no longer take the verbal or physical abuse from this position.
• Makes me hate life. makes me bitter, very mind numbing. no future.
• The fit is just horrible and my anxiety and stress is unbearable as a result.
• Because I hate it!
• Because working conditions are unbearable, making me sick. I also feel like I am being deterred from following my dreams I can’t afford to waste another minute that can be used to pursue my dream. There is something out there better for me than the present; a more promising future.
• Not inspired by what I’m doing
• Working very hard and achieving nothing
• Don’t agree with the strategy or lack of strategy on the work and how it has been put together
• The company has no strong work ethic ethos, lots of people doing the bare minimum
• No transparency in pay
• Often projects are under resourced meaning that we fail to delivery quality work on time
• I want to write graphic novels and scripts and paint portraits and stories
• I’m moving and can’t handle additional transportation costs. My current job is also actively worsening my depression.
• I am thinking about quitting my job for several reasons:1. I am tired of getting up at 5:15 every week day.2. I spend 2 hours a day on the road 3. I do not have support of administration in trying to do my best to educate students.4. I have been moved 3 times in 2 years. 5. I find myself unable to do anything at the end of the day other than come home, eat, watch t.v. and go to bed; no energy left over. 6. I am ready for a change.
• Organizational changes resulted in my being pushed into a lesser role than I had previously.
• I don’t enjoy what I do and need the time and stress-free experience to find out what I truly want to do. The enjoyment of the job is no longer there and there is no motivation to try and excel at what I’m doing. It has crept over into my personal life, making me less happy as a person overall.
• Because I start to panic on Sunday evening when I think about going to work on Monday. Because I stay up as late as possible to postpone the inevitable. Because I feel like a fish out of water at my job. Because I have been getting sick frequently, gained weight, and have skin problems because of the stress. Because I stopped caring about the things I used to enjoy. Because I truly don’t want to do anything in the evenings or weekends because I’m just so exhausted from my job.
• No passion, the job is not my fit. I am miserable in it. The job is not working for me.
• I feel like the job I’m doing now it’s not taking me anywhere, it frustrates me always. I think it is time to let go and move forward
• Because my job is very stressful and I feel I get treated unfairly
• Very unhappy and feel like I should be doing more with my life. I am tired of working for someone else and literally dread coming into the office everyday. I literally hate my boss and tolerate her only because I have too but each day it gets harder to do and I feel very strongly that if this is how my life is going to be I’d rather not be in it!
• I will be financially secure with the help of my fiancé. The job I’m at causes me to feel stuck and unable to take life by the reigns spiritually. I feel it is a dead-end job and I have used up all the resources and mental structure building that it can provide me. I am able to confidently take away from this job acquired knowledge as how to better speak with people on all different mind sets and situations. It has helped me gain more patience with people and better listening skills, along with empathy. I feel that now while working at this job it is keeping me from pursuing more attentive time devoted to helping loved ones and friends. The energy that I have to better assist others is exhausted at work and mentally I run into road blockage in pursue of achieving these goals outside of work.
• I hate my job.
• IT FXXXXXX SUCKS AXXXXXX (admin – removed profanity)
• I do not like working in a cubicle and I am not passionate about what I do. I feel stuck and unmotivated at my job. I am just doing it for a paycheck, and I don’t even need as much money as I am making. I feel there are more fulfilling and enjoyable job opportunities out there for me. I want to be in the right mindset before looking for jobs, so I am going to quit, take a month off, and then look for another job.
• It is an unhealthy, abusive environment for me. I find myself in tears one way or another related to the job I take as many vacation days as I can just to avoid having people yelling at me all day. I have already had one breakdown because of this and I consider doing physical harm to myself every day just to find ways to get out of a day of work. I dread coming in every day to the point where I am generally late…. which only adds more stress. This job gives me migraines and other server health issues due to stress that have started manifesting more and more frequently. In addition to that I have extreme and lasting emotional duress due to this job… it is a very negative job and I’ve been doing it so long that when I have time off there is a noticeable difference in mood and attitude towards life in general… which I have noticed is seriously hindering my ability to not only look for new work but to look like a positive loving candidate that will be able to contribute to another company.
• I am frustrated with the job.
• I am just a helping boy at the job. Handicapped job profile. Irritated with the working culture.

• Because I am done with stressing and coming to work everyday, where I feel why I have to see my boss. I hate being ordered around, and that’s what my new boss does
• I know this job is not my passion. I feel strongly that although I do not have the business plan lined up, I need time to develop the ideas and to generate the creativity to make it worth everything. I have a boss who is abusive and there is little room for success and mobility. I’m stuck.
• 12 – 14 hours a day plus 3 hour commute, toxic boss, work stress causing health issues
• I am not happy. I am unable to sleep peacefully. My health is degrading.
• I feel unappreciated and humiliated at work. I don’t care to about learning insurance and my skills as a therapist are becoming less and less relevant. I hate being talked down to and yelled at by clients and providers. I hate that my time is micromanaged down to the minute and it’s starting to overflow into my personal life. I am in physical pain everyday, and have become so depressed that my appearance has changed. I don’t like what I see in the mirror. I am depressed on the weekends just thinking about having to go into work on Monday and am completely drained on the weekends. I’m too tired, discourage and too depressed to look for another job, and I’m afraid that they will notice that I look depressed and not offer me a job.
• I really hate my job, the work atmosphere is very negative, and it’s a long commute. I cry driving home from work; feel sick all weekend especially Sunday because I have to go back into work Monday. I feel work is all about the next mistake, not about how well you do the job.
• I do not like what I do. I feel empty inside. I feel like my life is a waste. I could be doing something more meaningful and important.
• I cannot seem to get the clarity and focus to even figure out what I am passionate about. It seems to me I just may need to remove the stress, and tension that the corporate grind promotes before I can really move in the right direction.
• Want to focus on another career path/field.
• My job is making me dull and unimaginative. This is not the job I want to do. It makes me sad when I wake up in the mornings.
• I am ready to quit because the workplace is incredibly toxic. There is no work life balance and my bosses don’t give me clarity on my job.
• I feel unappreciated and undervalued, my boss does not listen, it is manual, the data entry is killing my arm, I pulled my side muscle lifting boxes, the boss is always making snide remarks about someone, and I got my past co worker a job and it has been a hell hole since.
• I am not happy
• It does not feel like the right job

Stats After Four Months of Gathering Data:

Total of 144 Respondents (13 in Feb; 17 in  Mar; 55 in Apr and 59 in May)

Gender:  (has almost always been a 60/40 split):66% Female, 34% Male

Income Levels: (even though most make under $50k the comments about why folks need to quit are about poor job fit, abusive supervisors and toxic work cultures)

60% – Under $50,000

32% – $50,000 – $100,000

8% – Over $100,000

Locations: Top 3 countries:  United States 64%; Canada 13% and Europe 9%

Total of 15 Countries Responding: United States, Canada, United Kingdom, India, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Finland, Malta, Philippines, Singapore,

In May we  added: Kuwait, Bahamas, Egypt, and Hong Kong

United States Stats: Top 3 States Responding: California, New York and Illinois

More than Half of the United States of America is represented with 31 States: California, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Illinois, Ohio, D.C., Arizona, Connecticut, Colorado, Washington, Iowa, Florida, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Wisconsin, Nevada, Minnesota, Delaware, Georgia, Indiana, Maine, and New Mexico

In May we added: Virginia, North Carolina Tennessee, West Virginia, Arkansas, Maryland and New Hampshire

The 10 Steps to Get Prepared to “Just Quit”?

1. 54% have completed a spreadsheet to find out how long they can go without a job (you don’t HAVE to do this spreadsheet, but it helps to see exactly where you are financially.  Most people stay stuck because of financial obligations.  If you do the spreadsheet, figure out how much money  or assets that you have EVERYWHERE – it might surprise you what resources you have.)
2. 71% have saved (or have access to) enough money for basic expenses for 6 months (having this cushion frees your mind considerably to be able to make the decision…if you are here then move to step 3 and figure out what you want to do)
3. 71% have a general idea or specific plan about what they really want to do (This is where most people get stuck again, trying to figure out what they are good at.  For this step start with thinking about when you were a child and what you excelled at.  If you can’t remember ask who ever was there to help raise you – mother, father, grandparents, aunts, uncles.  What you are looking for are your natural aptitudes.  What comes naturally for you?  What is your natural expression?  Sometimes as we get older this gets sucked out of us just by sheer life and obligations or we think EVERYONE is good at the thing that comes natural to us so we don’t see its value.  If you can’t figure out what turned you on as a kid then find a hobby.  If you don’t have a hobby – find one this week. Yes I know this is a tall order while you are depressed, but just try.  All we are looking for at this point is some of your natural talents to come forth.)
4. 76% thought about “the story” they will tell about “Just Quitting” (while between employment) – (You could be out of work for one week, one month,or one year, but rest assured  folks are going to ask you” “What do you do?”  You need to have a ready prepared positive affirming statement of what you are going to say.  There is some great  new research on a social science technique called Story Editing – it’s a key to Just Quitting –– use it — )
5. 42% talked to others who have “Just Quit” – (No matter what that person’s “story” is, it will let you know that if other people can do it, did it and survived then you will too. It only seems insurmontable but you’ll get get over, under or beyond this challenge.) 
6. 88% have thought about how the decision will impact their families (- BUT – don’t let that stop you from moving forward just factor it in your decision.)
7. 81% DECIDED to “Just Quit” – May not have the actual date, but have made the decision (it’s just a decision, but one you have to make, you don’t quit before you DECIDE to quit…just make sure it is a calculated decision and not rushed)
8. 58% have determined the actual date that they can “Just Quit” (this is when you mark it on your calendar, on your phone, get a countdown widget and count down the years/months/weeks/days — it’s liberating and something to look forward to which makes the days you are still in your job more bearable)
9. 40% have already written their resignation letter (You don’t want to submit it yet, but have it ready to go.  This will activate the universe to help make it a reality.  It’s like it “downloads” a program and things start to sort themselves out.  Just imagine when you download a program to your computer or phone  — writing this letter and reading and re-reading this letter – sort of gives the universe (God, the Source, Infinite Wisdom) the signal to start the wheels in motion — it signals that you’re ready  – it helps you to be able to walk out that door for the last time).
10. 55% have thought about how they will celebrate when they “Just Quit” (Start thinking about this now because this “creates” your new life…you can be a part of co-creating YOUR life as it is unfolding.Don’t wait until you’re out the door, that’s too late and within two weeks you’ll be BACK to depressed asking yourself Now What?)

General Comments From May 2013 Respondents:

• I’m going in circles and feel if I don’t quit soon I’ll go nuts
• I have dreamed about starting in a new situation. Also, I have had people share they are praying I will find a new job.
• I recently graduated college and was extremely lucky to land a decent-paying job within 2 weeks of graduation. And now that I’ve been working for a while, I regret not spending more time discovering who I want to be and what I truly want to do. The job was almost given to me and I felt pressured to accept. Now I’m stuck with the thought of blinking my eyes and being 30 with the same boring job and now real life experiences to say that I have genuinely enjoyed my time.
• It’s going to be hard without a job but it is a chance I’m willing to take. This survey is going to help me do the right thing for myself
• Currently going to school for a different profession.
• I am an artist. I am capable of creating so many different things. I don’t have a business plan, but I’ve seen plenty of artists take their art and open businesses, freelance, while using marking savvy and the web (I have a handle on these things as well) to grow their business. I know I can do it, but haven’t taken the leap of faith. Those around me do not have the same confidence in me.
• I am so miserable at what I do and have lost interest in my job since day 1!

If You’re Still Reading This It’s Probably Because You’ Feel Hopeless in a Miserable Job…Don’t Worry…You’ll Get Out of This…One Morning You Will Wake Up…JOYFUL

How to Be Happy In Your Job and In Life

Warren Buffet Said It Best: Find Out What Turns You On

Joseph Campbell Said The Same Thing:  Follow Your Bliss

So How Do you Find Out What Turns You On and  How Do You Follow Your Bliss?

I found an interesting assessment called the StrengthsFinder 2.0.  Seems from my research that the assessment gives you your top five strengths but then leaves you hanging on how to use them. Here are the 34 talents that they discovered that people can have.  You can start by just looking for your top 5-7 and then trying to make sure your current or next job  or project or business includes your top strengths.

The point is to figure out your strengths and then use those strengths to Do What Turns You On and Follow Your Bliss.  Seems simple but it will take some effort on your part.

Let Go of What You Know For Sure Is Not Making You Happy

Have Courage

Just Quit

 

 

 

Just Quit Your Job Survey Results - April 2013

For All Those Miserable In Your Job — It’s Just a Wake Up Call — Have Courage and ANSWER THE CALL

Summary of Survey Results Ending April 30, 2013:

85 Respondents

Gender:

65% Female

35% Male

Income Levels:

58 % – Under $50,000

33% – $50,000 – $100,000

9% – Over $100,000

11 Countries: United States, Canada, United Kingdom, India, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Finland, Malta, Philippines, and Singapore

Almost Half of the United States of America is represented with 24 States: California, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Illinois, Ohio, D.C., Arizona, Connecticut, Colorado, Washington, Iowa, Florida, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Wisconsin, Nevada, Minnesota, Delaware, Georgia, Indiana, Maine, and New Mexico

Comments to the Question –  Why Are You Thinking About Quitting Your Job Without Another One?

1. I have nothing but contempt and feel as if my life is being wasted
2. I am thinking about quitting my job without another one because I need clarity. I spend so much of my life working or in school and worrying about if my decision to quit will affect my entire family. I know I need to take some time off to find some clarity, but I get so nervous that I always talk myself out of it. My brain is fried and my body is weak. I just can’t take the fact knowing that I am still working in hell.
3. Because this job is such a spiritual emotional and integrity disconnect and I fantasize about escape every day and I can’t breathe.
4. I’ve been incredibly happy the past few years. I started by taking jobs that no one wanted to do in my department in order to “pay my dues”. Now I’m doing the job I had thought I wanted but I’m still unhappy. The staff has changed since I first started out, and my boss who mentored me is gone. My bossy co-worker is my new boss and doesn’t have any idea of the weekends, evenings, happiness I sacrificed in order to get here. He doesn’t trust me to do my job without looking over it, and requires everything to be just so. There is no room to grow in this department, and I feel as though I’m not developing any skills in my profession. I don’t enjoy the work, which also has tight deadlines and causes me so much stress that I’m exhausted when I get home. I have random fits of tears and depression, panic attacks and I can’t get my digestion to get back on track. I also feel like it’s preventing me from losing weight despite all efforts. It’s not what I see myself doing in the future.
5. I do not make enough and this job is destroying my health and happiness. I am turning into a person I do not want to be.
6. It is negatively affecting my mental health.
7. The salary is too small. I’m always asked to do work that is not in my job description, without any just compensation or even due credit.
8. I’ve reached a point in my life where I’m not happy every day. I don’t enjoy going to work. I’m my happiest when I’m not at work. I’m tired of being other people’s crutch to do whatever they want me to do. I need to be my own person. What’s the point of faking happiness when there’s real happiness to be found and experienced? I need to be out of my comfort zone for once to kick myself in the ass to do something for myself professionally.
9. I hate my job. I dread going into work every morning, and am always looking for an excuse to get out of work. It’s not that I don’t like the actual job itself, but I don’t like the management style, or the environment that I’m in. My boss, who I used to think was a great boss, is actually a terrible manager. I don’t know how much longer I can last.
10. I am miserable in continuing to do something that I do not love to do.
11. Cannot get things done with the team. stress levels sky high, not confident
12. I am anxious, depressed and don’t have any way to change it
13. I am quitting my job because my boss is disrespectful to all his employees. He has no problem belittling and embarrassing us in front of the patients and he is just rude in general. I am constantly stressed, always in a sour mood and have gained 15 pounds since I started there three months ago. I do not have another job lined up but I feel that for the sake of my mental and physical health this is the best solution.
14. Because I have to for myself.
15. I do not see myself in this work in the longer term
16. Management treating me with no dignity. For their amusement, they made me clean all four bathrooms, when I was cleaning them, I realized how degrading my job is, and planned to quit.
17. My health has been declining from the stress. I cry almost every day. The stress has become unbearable. I want to have time again to relax and to rediscover myself without stress surrounding everything I do. The stress at my job currently follows me everywhere so it’s hard to just have fun outside of work even. I also want to make a career change and want to narrow down what I’d like to do (I am pretty sure I want to become a programmer or web developer.) I feel broken and want to feel whole again.
18. Because the stress of my job is affecting my health. Poor management and failure to acknowledge my abilities wears on me. I also feel very strongly in my heart that this is the wrong place for me.
19. The stress that this job has put on me has literally made me unemployable and unable to perform simple tasks. My heads too clouded with “business work –  do this  – do that” and so forth.
20. I would like a career change. I don’t enjoy the long travel and being stuck in an office
21. I am stuck in an abusive job. I love the job itself but my immediate boss is a megalomaniac and sociopath who wants everything done how he would do it, but with the added benefit of shirking accountability for anything that is instigated by him. He keeps me in hours and hours of useless meetings just to find fault with my hard work which until now was always praised by others. To him, everyone is stupid and useless except for him and he verbalized this frequently. His boss is so paranoid of losing his job that he doesn’t care how anyone is affected by seemingly arbitrary decisions that invariably affect us negatively. The final straw was a recent demotion for which not a shred of an acceptable rationale was given. No guidance from either manager, just impossible timelines, expectations and harsh criticism.
22. Because I hate every second of it.
23. I have plenty of money my job is just stressful beyond belief
24. Because I am miserable every day. I dread every single working hours. Sunday night is a torture. Monday is worse. Underperforming. Lack of motivation to work.
25. To find my next passion in life. Single, 30, enjoyed my time in the office world.
26. Not career field I want. Stressed to the max, depressed.
27. To focus on applying for a master’s degree.
28. My health finally realizing my dream of working on my weight and my mind
29. I cannot seem to even figure out what I have any passion for- no energy nor can I concentrate to really think about what really makes me happy, I have no idea at this point. I make it to the weekends drained and always seem to think about what is coming up the next day or the next week- sometimes it is worse than others.
30. I am not happy doing what I am doing…I want to work in forensics and this job is nowhere near where I want to be.
31. I wake up dreading the coming day.
32. I feel mentally drained and after work and can’t concentrate on anything. I feel physically sick / anxious.
33. I’m sick of taking shit from other people that think they are entitled to it because they are above me in the corporate ladder. Every single day I want to grab them by the ears and knee them in the face.
34. Intentional infliction of emotional distress by owner of company. Relentless.
35. I start to dread Monday morning at 9:30 am Sunday morning
36. I’m ill all the time due to the stress. I’ve not been healthy for over a year.
37. The job is pointless. No satisfaction at all. Not appreciated. In fact, I believe I’m being actively encouraged to leave. Disliked by my boss.

Are You Prepared to Quit?

61% have completed a spreadsheet to find out how long they can go without a job

76% have save (or have access to) enough money for basic expenses for 6 months

72% have a general idea or specific plan about what they really want to do

78% thought about “the story” they will tell about “Just Quitting” (while between employment)

35% talked to others who have “Just Quit”

88% have thought about how the decision will impact their families

51% have determined the actual date that they can “Just Quit”

48% have already written their resignation letter

56% have thought about how they will celebrate when they “Just Quit”

General Comments:

I have areas that I want to explore. Two of them I base my life around outside of my job.

I am very nervous about the unknown in the decision I have made.

I hope this is the right decision.

I know in my heart that my job as a Happy Coach (trademark) will fill me with joy!

 

For All Those Miserable In Your Job — It’s Just a Wake Up Call — Have Courage

 You will never do anything in this world without courage.

It is the greatest quality of the mind next to honor. ~Aristotle

 

Letting Go of Your Art

Below are the craft pieces that I sold last weekend and the stories behind them.

Grow, Use All The Crayons and 2013 Planning

A lady came up and told me she needed something to encourage her mother,  who was 65, almost ready to retire and had one adult child who used her (yep, there is always one user in every “happy family”).

We went around my booth looking for possibilities.  She laid eyes on GROW and picked it up immediately.  So, this was my first sale of the night.  She actually purchased three pieces, which included two of my favorite pieces.

Two pieces that I did not really want to sell.

Both GROW and Use All The Crayons were my favorites. My heart was in pain selling them.

All I kept thinking about was that I am doing what I set out to do – Give Encouragement to Others.  Give people courage…give them hope…help them cope… help them to go on…to push through…to make it…to do better…to wake up the next day and to have heart.

The lady said as I was bagging up her items: “I like your sayings, because they are not in your face type of encouragement”.  EXACTLY.  So, I guess Encouraging Words & Gifts is fulfilling its mission.

My Healing Is At Hand

 

A lady came up and picked up the piece and told me about her sister who was very ill.  She was going to travel to see her sister soon and wanted to “encourage her”. I understood that.   This piece has been around awhile.  I made it very early on when I didn’t really know what I was doing.  I re-worked it a couple of times.  I still looked at it and thought a 10-year-old could have made it because of the free hand font. So, I’m glad it found a good home.

Sailboat & Radmacher Quote

 

A couple brought both of the pieces, they didn’t share their stories with me why they were purchasing them. These are two pieces that I had around my house on the refrigerator and on downstairs bathroom wall.  I liked looking at them.  Both of them took me hours and hours and hours on and off to create them. It’s all good…it’s still about encouraging others and me learning to let go…

Wave of Change

A same-sex couple came up and looked at several pieces.  They settled on this one.  Life is about change.  That’s basically all it’s about.  With this piece I thought of the ocean and being a part of one ocean.  Learning to enjoy the waves of life – both the ups and the downs.  I hope they enjoy it.  I just think sometimes about these pieces being on somebody’s refrigerator and then they move and pack it up to put it on a new refrigerator half way across the world. I mean, you can’t beat this art thing, it’s real.

Chakra Balancing

There is an interesting story behind this one.  I was down at another ladies booth.  When you do these art/craft shows not only do you meet interesting “customers” if that what you want to call them, but also the other artist/crafters/designers/ect are equally very interesting people.  We all end up helping each other in some way:  with art ideas,  how to market,  info about the upcoming shows, how to attract folks to your booth, ect.

If you’ve never been behind a booth then you can’t know the ends and outs of doing this.   I guess it helped me to have a stint in marketing and setting up a booth to market a credit union at one point in my “career”.  But with personal art that you have created it a little different then working for a company or organization that you are representing.  Here you are representing a “very deep” part of yourself.  There is so much planning behind it, creating your inventory, preparing your inventory to be ready to show, all the physical work to set up your booth, getting over the rejection from folks who think your wares are crap (I’ve enjoyed this aspect of it because I learned that art is a little like love, either it is or it isn’t), telling the same story about how you made something or what something is, or how much it cost, over and over and over again.  When you do enough of these shows it’s almost like a community of sorts…travelings gypsies is what it feels like to me…

So, I was down at a clothing designer’s booth who had asked me give her some advice about her product.  She had taken yoga pants and added fabric and cuts to make them original and unique garments.  While I was down there my neighbor booth person came up to tell me that  “someone wanted to give me money!” meaning someone was at my booth and wanted to buy something.  I thought that was funny the way he put it.

When I got back to my booth there was a lady holding the above piece in her hand.  She said she just HAD to have it. She was a massage therapist and wanted to put it in the space where she worked.  I knew it would take someone who understood energy and chakra’s to buy this piece.  I was trying to depict the Kundalini Energy awakening.  I could tell that this woman really got it, she understood what this all meant.

She also told me that I should/could increase my prices. I told her that I just wanted to get the message out there  and to encourage others.  Then she said: “the spirit that  is in your art is worth more than you are charging”.  I might have to consider it.  The economy has gotten better.  I can now accept credit cards and it is SO HARD to sell the pieces that I love.  Not that getting a couple of extra bucks is going to make a big difference…but maybe…

Be New & Improved and The Joy Mandala

 

The two were purchased by the booth owner beside me, Brad.  I remembered his name because he and his wife were so nice and friendly to work beside (some people aren’t, so it’s nice when you find those who are).  He brought them both and told me that one was for him.  He asked me to guess which one I thought was for him.  I picked the Joy one and he said no it was the Shakespeare quote.

He also asked me if these would stay on the refrigerator because the wood was so thick.  I told him I thought so.  I hope so.  I don’t think I ever tested the New and Improved One.

The Joy piece was interesting to make and I added a note on the back that the Mandala depicted life with all the ups and down and ins and outs…but… at the center of life needs to be JOY.  It’s wasn’t really a pretty piece but one with a deep message and lots of soul.

Yes, I feel like some of these pieces that I’ve “sold” were a part of my “soul”.   Can you sell part of your soul?  Part of yourself. Does that mean that part of you is gone forever?   Maybe it only means that you are connecting to the deeper parts and really touching the larger Self.  Can you put a price tag on that?  Maybe that’s why there is such a thing as “starving artists”…you don’t want to put a price tag on it because you don’t want to “sell it”. 

That’s just how artsy creative stuff is I guess.  It comes from some place else and just comes through you then other people recognize that beauty and it speaks to them.  Something to ponder. 

It’s all good…time to get ready for the next show… the making of the art…creating…the work of the soul coming through…

Now, What’s Your Passion?

Go Ahead Pursue It – WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR???

Give Yourself To The World

 

 

 

Just Quit Your Job Survey Results - March 2013

No Soul. No Joy. No Reason.

That was one of the comments as to why someone was thinking about quitting their job without another one.

That sums it up for so many who are miserable in their jobs and henceforth with their lives. People are hurting.  Many… people… are…really… hurting. To everyone out there going through this please know that even though you feel like you are alone, you are not alone. I know that it is very, very hard for you to believe, BUT you will make it through this time in your life and your current work situation.  I can remember that feeling of hopelessness, but just know that this will come to an end (and without anyone getting hurt).   

Summary of Survey Results Ending March 31, 2013:

30 Respondents

Gender and Income Levels: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4 Countries:

United States, Singapore, Canada, United Kingdom

12 States in the U.S.A.: 

California, Illinois, Iowa, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Arizona, Pennsylvania, Washington, Ohio, New Jersey, Indiana, and New York

Below Are The Comments from March 1 – March 31, 2013 to “Why Are You Thinking About Quitting Your Job Without Another One?”

• It is toxic, 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 happy face. Toxic!!!!!!!!!!!!
• Illegal practices going on in business. Backstabbing.
• I want to Quit because I hate my job. The only reason I have not quit is because I don’t have another job lined-up. I have an idea of what I want to do, but am worried what other people (i.e. parents) might think.

I live with my parents, and don’t have to pay any rent. I have no children and no other responsibilities.

The money I have saved could last me for at least a year.
So why don’t I just leave my job?

Several reasons:
—————-
1) I don’t like the stigma that comes with being unemployed and other people judging you.

2) Before my current job, I was unemployed for 1 year and
6 months. I’m worried I won’t find another job.

2) I want to spend time playing and building my Online Poker bankroll. I’ve been playing on and off for 2 years. I have read books, played over a 100k hands and I believe that if I put in a lot of hours I can be successful.

• I am depressed and disengaged. The job is boring and I am not appreciated.
• I get physically sick at the thought of going to work.
• I don’t like the customers
  There are too many weird and/or dangerous incidents
  I am feeling burned out
  I am tired of doing the same thing all the time
• Because I have no soul, no joy, no reason to maintain this equilibrium anymore.
• I’ve survived in an incredibly difficult and low paying job that’s affecting my health, has left me filled with rage and depression for the past two years, and shows every sign of getting worse. The people I work for have proven to be distrustworthy on more than one occasion, and constantly employ bad business ethics and bully anyone who stands up to them. For instance, it is routine to deny minimum wage workers legal overtime pay for many overtime hours worked on a WEEKLY BASIS. I am in a management position, and have tried to curtail these practices with every plea–short of filing a federal wage claim (which I was also bullied about)–to no avail. My family has plead for me to leave this job because it has left me completely isolated, emotionally and physically unwell, beyond stressed, and very angry to be unable to stop corrupt business practices. Also, did I mention I’m working in the food service industry? Oh, and I’m also barely making above minimum wage myself, uncompensated for overtime hours worked, and I’m not allowed my basic benefits or raises at all because apparently “the franchise doesn’t have money”. I’m also no longer able to work a set schedule, and I’m never allowed to request a day off for illness, family matters, or otherwise, in two years of work–which makes scheduling an interview difficult.
• I don’t feel happy at that company.
  I don’t get along well with my co-workers there.
  It is one of the most unorganized places I have worked at.
  My background doesn’t fit our current tasks very well, so I am not learning anything new that I can apply to elsewhere.
• Unhealthy environment. Becoming physically sick from the stress and demands

Are You Prepared to Quit? Statistics

77% have completed their spreadsheet to find out how long they can go without a job

85% have saved (or have access to) enough money for basic expenses for 6 months

59% have a general idea or specific plan about what they really want to do

81% thought about “the story” they will tell about “Just Quitting” (while between employment)

37% talked to others who have “Just Quit”

92% have thought about how the decision will impact their families

74% have determined the actual date that they can “Just Quit”

48% have already written their resignation letter

40% have thought about how they will celebrate when they “Just Quit”

 A couple of things that stood out to me about the above stats regarding preparing to Just Quit:

• Of everything on the checklist more than 90% of all respondents are thinking about the impact this decision will have on their families.  From my experience of being in a job that is making you miserable, yes,  you do have to talk to your family, BUT do not expect them to understand what you are going through.  They are not going through the emotional and physical turmoil that you are experiencing on this job.  Yes, you have to take their feelings and needs into account, BUT you have to do what is best for YOUR overall health or you will not be able to be there for your family.  STRESS IS REAL. This is where the careful “Just Quit” timing and planning is necessary.  The more you get into planning for your “Just Quit” date the more momentum starts to build towards being able to leave that job.
• A little less than 60% know what they really want to do. So in other words, 4 out of 10 people still don’t know what they want to do as a profession and/or what they would be happy doing. Again, if you don’t know what your talents and skills are and what you would be good at then you are likely to fall back into something that makes you miserable. I have done some research and think I might have found an online app from a company in Great Britain that might prove to be helpful in this area.  I need to check it out first before I post about it and recommend it.
• Because I know what it feels like to be miserable in a job I completely understand why only 40% have given any thought to how they will celebrate after they are out of their current work environments. Let me explain why it is important to think about celebrating.  A Celebration has to be planned because without that you could fall into a deep depression because there is no clear line of demarcation of the letting go process so the letting come new job/career/adventure process can take root.  If you don’t do anything else start just imagining your celebration.  There is something about visualizing the celebration that helps you to make it real!  Here’s how I celebrated:

I did NOT look back when I walked out of the building for the last time.   I kept walking forward, just continued  walking and  looking forward.  I didn’t know it then, but I know it now that that was very important for me not to look back at what I was letting go of but to look forward to what was coming.  When I was driving home I was screaming in joy and relief all the way down the interstate highway. When I got home I was so grateful that that period of my life was finally over.  I got dressed and went out to dinner at a restaurant with friends who had helped me through the Just Quit process. This was fun because it was almost like a victory for them as well to watch someone actually have the courage to leave a “great job” without another job to go to.   Then the big celebration was waking up when I was finished sleeping and not to an alarm clock to go to my daily appointment  – THE BEACH –  I went to the beach every single morning.  I enjoyed the sun, walking on the boardwalk, watching the waves, listening to the sounds of the ocean, and of course calling all my friends around the world to tell them that I had actually quit!!! So, think about how you will celebrate, it will propel you towards those experiences and make them happen.

• Only 3 out of 10 people have talked to others who have “Just Quit” to get some mentoring and guidance in this process.  I guess that’s what this blog is about. I’m calling on those who have “Just Quit” a job before having another one who have a story to tell.  Send me your story; let me post it for you.  Trust me you will help somebody.  Even if that somebody is just yourself.  There is something magical about getting your story out into the world.

*************************************************

Go confidently in the direction of your dreams.  Live the life you have imagined.

Henry David Thoreau

Nailing It To The Cross = Letting Go

The Jesus Story is a perfect example of  Letting Go to Let Come

It’s the time of year when Christians celebrate Easter.  Just like Christmas it can be commercialize and all about Bunny’s and Easter Egg Hunts.  There’s nothing wrong with that, it can be fun, especially for children.  But, as an adult, (no matter your religious beliefs) there is something deeper in this story that can help you to realize your full potential as a human being and give you a model for change and growth.

Letting Go = Good Friday = DYING to what is…

As the story goes, Jesus picked-up his cross and carried it to his death. We too have to face our burdens, our past poor decisions, our blind beliefs, our toxic relationships, our dead-end jobs, and our money problems. We have to look at ’em and recognize that it’s time to MAKE a CHANGE.  It’s time for your current reality to begin coming to an end.

Jesus was nailed to the cross. He hung there. He died. We too have to let go of those things that need to die in our lives. We might want to hang on and try to make things that are really dead not seem like they are, but in the end we have to let go of those thoughts, things, people, jobs, and places that have run their course.

In the Tunnel of Change = Jesus In The Tomb = TRANSFORMATION

Jesus was in the tomb for three days.  He was unseen. He was gone. Folks were wondering where He was and what would become of them and their world without Him in it.

Although Jesus was in the unknown realm, He was going through a transformation.

When you let go of “what is” you too will have to go through a transformation… AND… it is TOUGH.  Don’t think that it is not, because it is. When you are in the transformation stage of the growth process you are in-between “Letting Go” and “Letting Come”.  I call this phase The Tunnel of Change.  It can be dark and dank in the tunnel.   You don’t know how long you will be in the tunnel.  It could be 3 days or it could be 3 Years.

Sometimes when you are in this tunnel all you can do is hold on to knowing that you will get out of the tunnel, EVENTUALLY.  But, when you are in this tunnel there is a point that you get to that I like to call The Sweet Spot. 

The Sweet Spot is where you know that what you let go of is gone, you can’t get it back, and  most importantly you don’t want it back, don’t want to look back, and don’t want to go back.

Think about a love relationship that you let go of.   You struggled to let go of this relationship and when you finally did you didn’t immediately feel good.  There was a lot of built up momentum of thoughts, memories and history that you had to work through.  You wondered if you made the right decision, and at the right time.  You missed the person.  You might have even wanted them back because you were so lonely.

This is the absolutely miserable part of the beginning of a transformation process. You have to work through this initial walk through the tunnel (dark night of the soul) in order to make it to the sweet spot. 

When you get to the sweet spot, in the example of the love relationship: even though you are still alone, you KNOW you made the right decision.  You KNOW that person was hindering your growth.  Yes, you ARE still alone, but you KNOW at some point that someone  new will come into your life. You don’t know when, but you begin to anticipate what is to “come”. You are so proud of yourself for letting go of “what was” , because it was NOT and NEVER would have worked for you and your future.   

In the sweet spot you are  closer to the “letting come” phase then you are from the “letting go” phase.

When you get to the sweet spot in the tunnel of change start to use your time to grow and get ready for the new thing that’s coming. Prepare yourself with some deliberate choices  and actions.  In the example of the love relationship: you might start or continue to get in good physical shape, take care of your body, mind and spirit.  Start doing activities that YOU enjoy, and be the type of person that YOU want to be with.  Be thinking about not necessarily the checklist of the person you want to manifest in your life, but more importantly how YOU want that person to make YOU feel. You need to know what you want to come your way, or you might miss it when it shows up.

Something or someone new is going to come, you might as well be a part of making it happen and co-creating it with the universe.  Until you get REALLY clear on your intentions then, yes, something is going to come, but it might be similar to what you just let go of…that’s no fun…you then have to go through letting go of something/someone very similar to what you just let go of because you didn’t learn that particular life lesson the first time…bummer…

Letting Come = Easter Sunday = RESURRECTION

As the story goes, Jesus is no longer in the tomb.  He has risen. He is the Christ. He is completely spiritual, and no longer housed in a human body.  He is now within.  Within what you might ask?  Within every heart that has lived and will live on the earth.  He had to let go of his earthly life in order for this spiritual realization (Kingdom) to come.

There is something more, something better, more fulfilling and better aligned for you as well:   A New Job, A New Relationship, A New Town, A New Business, A New Body, A New Baby, A New Spiritual Walk, A New Career,  A New .. fill in the blank…

I am not sure where you are in the Letting Go to Let Come process right now, but no matter where you are, know that all of life is about letting go to let come.

It always has been since you were born (letting come/or letting go depending on how you look at it) and always will be until you die (letting go/or letting come depending on how you look at it). 

Don’t be afraid of Good Friday and Death (to what is) because Easter Sunday and Resurrection (what will be) is coming. 

Now…What Do You Know For Sure That You Need To Let Go Of?  That’s Your Just Quit Thing…Let It or Them Go…Just Do ONE Thing TODAY to Start the Process of Creating Your Future Self and Life

This Time...Play to WIN

 “You can’t stop the future
You can’t rewind the past
The only way to learn the secret
…is to press play.”  – Jay Asher

How things converged this week to lead to:

This Time…Play to WIN

• Researching “Controlling Emotions” for a training session and exercise that I need to design for work: Learning about brain physiology, automatic thoughts, and freeze framing.
• Started Coursera Course entitled “Know Thyself” and learning about: Socrates, components of the self, the difference between emotions and moods and bamboo breathing.
• Discovering and trying  a new art medium transferring ink onto wood which allows for a massive opportunity for me to create beyond my drawing ability: when you follow your bliss doors open that weren’t there before – Joseph Campbell
• Finishing an interesting book about developing strategy called Playing to Win.  Although the book is about

  

  Play to WIN

  corporate strategy and what P&G did in particular, as I read it all I keep thinking about was how this could be used for an individual life.  I created a model for myself to use for the next year based on the basic principles:

1. Don’t just play the game of life, play to WIN the game
2. Define what WINNING will look like in all areas of my life
3. Figure out WHERE to play to WIN
4. Figure out HOW to play to WIN
5. Figure out WHO I want on my team of life who also wants to WIN
6. Play to My Strengths, and
7. Manage What Matters Most

1. A practical example of using the model to make a decision: Going out to dinner with a boyfriend from my past who was in town from California. Although I was VERY tempted and the mental chatter in my head kept making statements like : “how bad could it be”,  “it’s couldn’t hurt”, “it’s just dinner, just go”  –   BUT –  I quickly went through the WINNING model and it didn’t fit in playing to WIN in any way possible for ME, (for him maybe – apparently – but not for me ). So, my final answer was a clear and definitive: “NO, I’m not interested, but I hope that you have fun while you’re in town”.  And most importantly I meant it, that I hoped he had fun, but I was choosing not to be apart of it. SCORE!  A deliberate choice that was focused on the best use of my time and energy for the weekend. 

To win you have to make conscious choices.

You have to decide.

When you make a choice you are letting go of ALL THE OTHER CHOICES you could have made. When you are clear on what winning looks like for your life, then the choices are easier to make  – because –  you KNOW what fits and more importantly what doesn’t fit in your winning strategy.

…all the above lead me to…This Time…”Gonna love myself more than anyone else. Gonna treat me right. Won’t let my emotions rule my life. Gonna be my own best friend. I’m going to be the one to WIN”.  

WHY NOT???  

NO MORE JUST PARTICIPATING IN THE GAME.

PLAY TO WIN!

Play to Win:

Examine Your Life

Check Your Emotions

& 

Follow Your Bliss