My post about using credit cards responsibly made me realize I need to be responsible about all areas of my life.
This includes work. Being the breadwinner right now means I have to reign in some of the more extreme career aspirations I have in exchange for stability. Right now I have a stable job where my bosses love me. I don’t love the work but it’s a decent paycheck for what I do and I’m able to easily afford my lifestyle.
In my last post about my job I said, “I’m bored, resentful, and tired of the work I do. This isn’t good for me and my mental state and it’s not good for the company.”
I decided that this was something I needed to address with my company. Sitting me in a corner to stew with resentment until I eventually quit isn’t good for me or the company who has invested in my development already. This week I had a meeting with management to discuss these thoughts and make a plan of action for my future with the company.
The meeting went well. My bosses love the work I’ve done but they understand that I don’t fully enjoy large parts of my job. Whereas I thought admitting this might end up with me getting fired, they actually want me to focus on what I’m good at even if that means hiring a freelancer to do the stuff I don’t enjoy/don’t have talent in. That’s awesome news!
Additionally, they are letting me spend 25% of my time moving into another department and role at the company where they need some help. They brought it up as something they thought would be a good fit for me. I had not previously thought about this role but after considering it I realized I actually might really enjoy it. I’m going to spend some time learning the new role and taking on small projects to get the feel of it. Eventually I will have to choose one or the other but that might not happen for several years when the company grows further.
Overall the decision to voice my unhappiness was a positive one. It could have gone the other way and I could be unemployed right now but instead I’m actually excited about the work I do and it’s possibilities. It’s not working for myself, but I think I might enjoy the benefits of working full time and blogging/freelancing on the side for a while as that will offer me more income possibilities. I need to take advantage of this time before we start a family after all!
Have you ever had a similar talk with management? When you find yourself unhappy in a position do you quit or try to find ways to make it work?
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Sounds like they really value you and care about your professional development. Hold on to that!
I have not been in a position where I was miserable at work. I guess it depends what the reasons for that were. If the environment were just plain toxic then I don’t think anything would make it work by staying, for example.
Even if you don’t love the work, there’s great fortune in working for a company that strives to keep you happy and challenged.