In my personal life coaching, I work with a lot of people in transition. The number one fear of people who are in a job they hate is financial debt, and how to be secure in a new job that might pay less.
Being stuck in a job you hate is one of the most painful experiences. If you feel like you are just going through the motions with no passion or purpose, you are not alone. More than 70 percent of U.S. workers are unhappy in their jobs. It’s estimated one-third of our lives are spent at work. When you are stuck in a job you hate, that time can feel miserable.
I personally went through my twenties in job that caused me sever sadness. I hit a quarter life crisis, suffocating from clinical depression and corporate burnout. The anxiety was so bad, I would cry at work in the bathroom. I felt trapped by my own life circumstances and had no way of seeing clearly. At the time, I was in significant debt, which kept me in that job out of fear of not being able to pay bills. I had no idea how to leave and start my new career as a writer. I didn’t know what steps to take or even where to start. This fear kept me paralyzed and depressed.
But I realized my happiness was the most important thing for my own well being. I put myself through a process of removing my fear so I could live my dream life.
Today, my life looks much different. I am fulfilled, happy, doing work I love and feel connected to, and I make more money than I ever could in corporate.
If you have fear of leaving a job you hate because of debt, this three-step process can help.
1. Focus on long-term happiness versus short-term gain
The real question you want to ask yourself is are your actually more committed to your depression and sadness than to happiness? When we stay in jobs we don’t like, we sacrifice our true selves and desires for short-term gain or security. Your happiness and health is dependent on your long-term vision. When you take steps to improve your life today, your happiness will be more permanent and less fleeting. Focus on your big picture instead of short-term solutions. Yes, it might be difficult at first when you leave the job trying to make ends meet, but you will always land on your feet. In time, you will feel happier and more secure than you ever thought possible.
2. How you feel is more important than what others will think
Many people put their identity into the job they do. If you have worked in a company or industry for many years even decades, maybe you went to school for the job or you have a lot of debt from student loans, than it’s easy to tie your identity to job title. You may worry about what other people will think if you switch careers. You and your own heart matter most, and when you align with your desires, you will be happier. Other people may not understand, they may make unsupportive remarks, or try to derail you, this is often because they don’t understand. In time, they will see how happy you are in a job you love, and they will be thrilled you followed your heart. When you are aligned with what you want, you won’t need other people’s approval. What matters most are your dreams. At the end of the day, those closest to you just want you to be happy. You owe it to yourself to do a job you are happy with.
3. Build a bridge with a job
A bridge job is one or more jobs you take in transition between the job you hate and the dream job you want. The bridge job is something you can do to help build the bridge to your new life. When I first left corporate advertising, I spent a couple years taking freelance graphic design jobs in advertising agencies and worked part-time at an athletic yoga company. This gave me time and freedom to write at night, but I still had income to pay the bills. The jobs were more flexible and aligned with my values. To step into a bridge job you want, ask yourself what kind of job you are able to do with your skills and passions.
Have fun in the process because it won’t last long. In time, you will be living your dream life and doing what you love – and your debt will be paid off. Best of all, you will be happy.
What step will you take today to build your bridge to your dream life?
More Resources:
Private Coaching with Shannon: If you want to work with a personal life coach to help you glide through your career transition check out my one-on-one programs here.
Hi Shannon !
I want to thank you so much for all the inspiration you are giving me everyday. I’m a big fan of what you are doing, I LOVED “Find Your Happy”, I love your videos and I loved today’s article !
It’s been 4 months that I have founded my own business and you’ve been most helpful in helping me to believe in me and to take the leap ! Please receive the best regards from a happy French Yoga Teacher 🙂
I wish you the best on your personal and professional past and I will keep posted on what you are publishing and sharing with your community !
Claudia
http://www.yogapassion.fr
Hi Claudia, I am so happy for your clarity and passion. Thanks so much for sharing and being on this journey, your support is awesome. Hugs, Shannon
I absolutely love this article!! I feel like it speaks to me directly. Thank you for sending this message exactly at a time when I needed it! Keep up the good work, I really enjoy your messages.
xo
I loved this, I’m in the process of going back to school to follow my dreams and just got hired at a place which is gonna be my bridge while i finish school.
Great, I am so happy this post resonated with you. Congratulations on your bridge job.
Pingback: Five Things Friday 1.23.15 | Zest for Life Wellness
Hi Shannon!
I adore your writing very much. I’m a fellow MBG contributor and that’s how I found you.
Up until last week, I worked 3 1/2 years at a very, very comfortable government job while trying to build my health coaching business on the side. I really liked my co-workers, benefits, and pay at my government job, but it held me back from doing the thing that meant the most to me. Despite not knowing what the future holds, a giant weight was lifted from my shoulders my last day of government employment. I certainly feel like the world is my oyster now. 🙂
Thank you for this much-needed article. I was in such a similar situation and came to the point where I knew the work I was doing took out all joy from life. I know many people are in a similar situation and it makes me hopeful for them. My last corporate office job was the final proverbial nail in the coffin for me and I’m so encouraged to see others pursue their passions and share their love. It makes this world a richer, happier, more abundant place.
Dear Shannon, today i casually found your site. I felt in love immediately. You give me hope and make me feel less alone and lost.
i have quit my job, that i hated and still hate, in 2013. For a year i didn’t find nothing, nobody called me for an interview.i was and still am broke. I didn’t have any money and need to eat and pay my college, with who i struggle a lot. So in 2014 i returned to the same place of work, with the same owners and people. It is so heartbreaking for me, and feel like die every time i go to work. It is a very, extremly negative place, with poor payment and mean, vicious people. I searched for something else, but nobody calls me back. And i can’t live like this. I am dead, but still alive..
Those 3 tips are awesome and it’s really like that, but it’s not as simple as it sounds… I mean yes, it’s much better to focus long-term happiness than short-term gain, but how do you plan to live while you find another job? Especially if you’re in a country like mine with 35% + unemployment rate?
Perhaps find another job first and then leave the current position in “hell”? 🙂
Anyway, I definitely agree and find useful those 3 tips. It’s much more important how we feel than what others think about us!
Hi Shanon I want to leave my job my biggest fear is that I’m still paying my car but my happiness comes first.yes now I have a car but I’m not happy no matter I can loose it as long as I’m going to find my happiness.
Keep trusting yourself and going forward, you are on the right track.
I still don’t know what to do…great article….hope one day to be able to give that big step
I am really unhappy at work but I cant quit since have an insurance that I have to pay monthly. And I am 25 now, I think quitting will make it hard for me to find another work i will love. What should I do?
…just when I need it the most! Thank you for inspiring through your wonderful thoughts.
Hi Shannon, I am currently employed in a job I don’t like. I have a contract for 2 years. I don’t know how to get out from the job since I still have a debt to pay for my student loans.
can you see about getting another job and ending yuour contract.