Don't allow your 9-5 to run your life
There is nothing worse than being in a job that you can't stand. I've been there, worn the t-shirt to death, worn it as gym wear and still didn't throw it away.
If I have to think about all the jobs that I disliked the most...then being a receptionist within a secondary school is definitely top of the list.
On a scale of 1-10; I hated that job with my entire being and soul. It wasn't so much the job...that was a breeze, but the Satan I was working with as my Office Manager and her demons licking her batty that just made me want to Spartan kick her in the chest and happily get arrested.
Every single day Satan would try me, and you know when you're not trying to be THAT BETCH at work, because they will be quick to label a dark skinned black woman with the "aggressive" and "intimidating" label even though at the time I was in my early twenties and this deflated breasts, no top lip but still wearing lipstick , passive aggressive Satanic cow would push my non-existent patience.
There is nothing more deflating that waking up in the morning to go to a job that you don't want to go to, but when you have that huge responsibility called LIFE which includes bills, expenses, shopping you simply can't walk out and be like "fuck you & this job" and trust me there were many times I did this in my head.
I thought about what I would say to Satan and everyone I disliked, I had my monologue down pact and rehearsed, but more than anything I hated the feeling of being "trapped".
One of my #Renegades commented during the live video, that she felt a huge sense of responsibility and loyalty towards her job. She had been there a long time, grown and made her way up from where she first started until now and I totally understand that. Working within education, you make such intense personal relationships with the students so it's not as easy or as simple to walk away. I would see these students every day, through their good and bad days and created real bonds with them, so if I decided to just quit...they would undoubtedly take it personal.
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But one thing I've learned throughout my years of working in these jobs is:
You're loyalty means NOTHING and you are EASILY replacable
Now let me just say, this is not to say that you don't bring value or worth to what job you are doing, that you aren't skilled or good at what you do. But as quickly as they hire you...they will look for someone else to take your place. If anything, the reason why they make you feel so guilty for leaving/when you go for a new job is that they don't want to go through the HR, interviews and work of finding your replacement, but that is not your problem that's for them to do deal with.
1. Make up your mind on whether you want to leave a job and more importantly when
I don't believe in staying in a job longer than you need to just because you don't want to look like you jump from job to job on your CV. So you must be miserable for a year to prove what? If you are able to explain how much you have achieved within that short time of 6 months to a year the amount of time you've been there is irrelevant! Yes I understand in this economy, they frown upon when you've moved every 2/3 weeks, that's a huge difference, but the longer you stay somewhere you aren't happy...the more that it affects your life and mood outside of work. I remembered when working with Satan I began affirming that by December that year I wouldn't be there and I would have a new job...and I did by November. Hold yourself accountable to moving on to somewhere else.
2. Look for jobs every...single...day
I was possessed when I decided I wanted to leave my job, I looked on ever website, every job and during my lunch breaks I would eat and complete application forms. I knew I wanted to stay within education at the time but wanted to try something different, so I began asking my friends, looking around and applying for anything that I thought was of interest to me and would help me progress.
3. Don't work harder...work smarter
What Satan wasn't aware of, was when she gave me certain tasks I would take my time with them on purpose or if I did them quickly I damn sure didn't tell her! When I was at work I used the time to write my blog, look for events and write scripts. I utilised the free printing machine and printed everything and anything that was to do with my hobby of blogging and scriptwriting. I ordered stationary like there was no tomorrow and used it to create my business plan and events I did outside of work. I decided it I'm going to be here for 7 hours every day, then instead of me complaining that I didn't have the time to work on my dreams, I would utilise my time as much as possible.
I know how frustrating it may feel to be in a job that you know is not your life passion and purpose. You feel like you're not reaching your full potential but never allow life to make you so complacent that you are scared to pursue your dream.
There is a reason why you can't stop thinking about your dreams or goals on a daily basis, so instead of beating yourself about it, make a plan and set out small goals that you can work on and accomplish towards your goals. Utilise the friends and family that you have around you, look for opportunities/short courses/books that will teach you more about your craft and don't allow others especially those within your job to make you feel tied/responsible to staying (that's why it's very important to not tell your business to everyone, there are some real life snakes that will snitch on you quicker than you can blink.)
As we move into 2018, I hope that you feel empowered and encouraged enough to be relentless towards your goals and dreams. To not allow anyone, especially a 9-5 deter you from what you want to pursue, even if the worse case scenario happens and you lose a job/get fired/don't pass your probation, there is ALWAYS a Plan B or a new opportunity that you didn't know at the time. If that means you have to join an agency, work somewhere that you never expected then so be it but don't..stop...pushing or moving.
In my previous blog "Why I Left My Job To Pursue My Career" if you want to know how and why I made that leap, and it's honestly been the best decision I made for myself
I honestly can't wait to see what you achieve next year!
Your goals matters...
Your happiness matters...
& when you commit 100% to your dreams...you will be blessed more than you ever imagined!
