It’s a living
Long ago in a land far away, I loved my job. I loved the responsibility, the flexibility, and the people. In some ways, I think that job spoiled me a little. After working someplace where you are motivated and excited to go to work everyday, anything less than that and it’s just a job. Or worse, a trap.
Happily, last week I started a new role that has brought out those feelings of excitement again. I want to take on the challenges, get to know the people, and start contributing in a meaningful way. This is going to be an exciting year, I can tell.
But thinking about those, let’s say, less than satisfactory positions I sometimes wonder why I stayed in those roles. Why does anyone stay in a bad job? Lack of better alternatives? A good paycheck? Or the conviction that you can make a difference and turn it all around?
When people talk about motivation at work, it’s easy to focus on the positive aspects. You know, all that feel good, intrinsic motivation stuff. But when you are living day to day, seconds away from rage quitting or giving up, what motivates you to keep going? Isn’t that a more important question? I think those answers would tell you more about a person than any personality test.
Now, not every job can be the best job you’ve ever had. Sometimes a job is just a job, good or bad. There is more to life than work, and if the only motivation you really need to go into the office everyday is that “something”, then that’s good enough. Motivation is in the eye of the beholder.
What is your motivation?
February 14th, 2012 saat: 10:27 am
You know, I’ve had this conversation with myself for a while, because if I’m being honest I’ve not been excited and motivated about work in a long time.
I’ve spent a little over two years here; at first I thought things would get better. Then I thought I could make them better. I went through a period of staying out of stubbornness (i.e., you’re not running me off). After last August, I stayed because of my direct boss, and then he left.
I’ve had this conversation with myself over the course of the last six weeks or so… why am I here? And when you can’t come up with a good answer to that except “I need a paycheck” it’s probably time to buckle down and explore options.
And I wanted to stay here longer, because I had that couple of years of temp assignments and short-term jobs when our situation was more in the air than it is now. But now I’ve proven I don’t want to be the “job-hopper” and stuck it out more than two years, so it’s time to move on.
February 15th, 2012 saat: 6:45 am
[…] a song for him.Shauna Moerke, the champion and brainpower behind The Carnival of HR, submits It’s a Living. It’s a love poem to her career.Steve Browne is an optimist. He wrote a great blog post […]
February 16th, 2012 saat: 12:06 am
Kelly – HUG! That is a hard situation to be in, and I understand your frustration. Good for you that you are looking for something new, sounds like it will be the best for you. Let me know if I can help in anyway, my fingers are crossed for you!