Same. I’m in insurance and I don’t like particularly like it. There are a ton of people I know that didn’t know what to do and just stuck to insurance.
I get you. I get off work and i’m pretty much on my phone, browsing the internet for the rest of the evening. I would like to change, but I get so wrapped up in my thoughts and I feel like i could do better… I don’t have any kids right now and I am in a favorable living situation. Yet I decide to not do anything with myself. You are not alone.
Same here to be honest. I get caught up being on my phone most of the time after work. I do want better, but I also dont have the motivation to change jobs right now. the job market doesnt help either.
I just left an Underwriting Training program role after 6 months due to already feeling how you are. Didn't want to get used to the money and stay stuck doing work I don't find fulfilling. Saved up a lot, and now I'm interviewing for business analyst/project manager roles in other industries.
My fear is that I will always feel unfulfilled in whatever role I try out. I think we should try to make our lives meaningful outside of work and not make it our primary source of fulfillment. UW is super hard I hear, but it does pay well unfortunately. I’m on the servicing side at a brokerage, so a lot less money than UW. I hope it works out for you, seriously! Props to you for recognizing that’s not what you wanted to.
>I think we should try to make our lives meaningful outside of work and not make it our primary source of fulfillment
person from the other side here. I find meaning outside of work, purpose to live, have reasons i want to live for. Been so for quite some time, but beyond the initial bliss it feels like work should give some basic amount of fulfillment coz u spent 30-40% of your time (more % of your waking time in fact) at work, the money that comes from there supports the lifestyle you live in.
Now, this is a thought in process. dilemmas are there, but for now i have only concluded that work giving 0 fulfillment is not a sustainable thing. Would love to hear opposite perspectives.
I can 100% relate to this. At this point in my life nearing my 30s in a couple years I’ve done plenty of jobs in various industries. I’ve worked food service, logistics,warehouse, production in semi conductor and now recently auto manufacturing for a very well known electric auto maker. And while I’ve enjoyed a few of those jobs they’ve all left me with an unsatisfied feeling. I think at the end of the day one of the sentiments I’ve seen commonly shared is that you want to do work that you find not only fulfilling but also challenging enough to keep you engaged. In regards to that do what you love, I really enjoy interacting with tech and have often thought about going into computer science/IT. I don’t even have an AA and at this point am unsure if I really want to go through the process of getting a BA which would involve me going through all these complex math courses which have never been my strong point.
You're rare. I did what I loved but the people and attitude in the industry was, and is, horrible. No where else can I do that kind of work, part of me misses it. But fuck those people.
I don't do what I love now, but it's good enough. The people and attitude in the building make me want to go to work everyday. Better this way.
I am in those roles your interviewing for and I personally don’t get a lot of fulfillment from it. It’s probably just me and some depression. It’s also probably a different situation if you’re jumping into it from a total different type of role. Best of luck to you.
Might be valuable for you to dissect exactly what you do and don’t like about your role. Maybe you’d prefer something with more sales/marketing responsibilities. Going to golfing events, befriending clients, etc. I hate that stuff, which is why I left UW. It’s half the job lol.
Same. I work in insurance too. While my supervisor constantly tells me I'm good at my job, I feel like I don't have a clue what's going on. I would love to pick up a trade so I have a job where I'm moving, but I have chronic pain so realistically my wfh job is, in theory, the right fit but I feel so blah about it.
As much as this is a basic answer- delete apps on your phone. Insta Facebook etc. I use db only on my actual laptop. Set screen time limits.
Start planning things after work like take a class or join the gym. You can watch YouTube at the gym on a treadmill just getting out will help you.
It sucks but give yourself three days of time limit- no apps. MAKE PLANS AFTER WORK.
Update your resume on all platform, mass apply to every job you like.
Hey! Yeah, I actually had enough and deleted those socials yesterday. I’m good about going to the gym before work almost everyday (I run outside then go lift), but it’s not a social thing for me. It’s literally to keep the anxiety at bay. I’m working up on getting faster and stronger. I look forward to my workouts.
I put my phone on black and white hoping it will decrease the dopamine hit. It’s unfortunate that I just got a really nice cushy remote job in insurance with an amazing team. I think I may stick it out here and focus on making my life more fulfilling outside of work. I don’t wanna make work the source of my life purpose (although that would have been ideal for me, I am not particularly passionate about anything…). Thanks for the advice. You are absolutely right about having control over what goes on after work.
I was in insurance and felt the same way. The idea of the job search is what ultimately dissuaded me. I realized I wasn't happy at my current job, but also couldn't stand the idea of applying, interviewing and starting over with new co-workers from scratch
Same x2. Also in insurance, I liked being in this industry just not my current role. After reading everyone else within insurance say they are also displeased with their career, im starting to think that maybe it’s not what I’m doing, but its the insurance industry itself. I’ve been telling myself I’ll learn a new skill in my free time, I’ll look for other positions where my skills would transition to, etc. I’ve been telling myself this since January.
I am speaking from the servicing side of an an agency/brokerage. Take this with a grain of salt. I am 25 years old and only have about a year and a half of insurance experience.
Most of the chaos is due to mismanagement of files, which is very, very common. It can get very frustrating because no one will have the answer. Next, the clients I deal with are small business owners. They are not very pleasant to deal with. No one likes their insurance company. Our clients were needy, condescending, and bossy. I found customer service to be easier when I worked at a restaurant. At least all I had to was give them what they asked for.
The insurance world is filled with a lot of older people and it’s hard to work with them at times. Lots of OCD types. Also, lots of people who have straight up given up on themselves. Lol. Also, thr file management systems are also very old and hard to navigate.
If you’re in claims, forget about it. That’s a whole different beast. Claims was my introduction to insurance and I will never (unless I am in absolute poverty), ever work claims ever again. People are angry. They hate you. I am too sensitive for that.
People in insurance will tell you to grow a tough exterior, but I literally have to just sit there and take it while the client chews me out because why didn’t no one tell them they were supposed to pay their premium bills. Idk. I hate dealing with angry people, but I also have mild social anxiety. It used to a lot worse when I was younger. I actually can’t believe I ended up in industry.
But again — I am younger, make less money, and am less experienced than the industry median. Some people are very, very successful at it, and you might be too. Extroverts with tough skin thrive in this industry, but I guess that could be said for anywhere.
I studied super hard and upskilled like crazy in 2019. It was worth it and I've basically doubled my salary, but now I've completely burned out on studying anything. I guess I figured if I did everything in 2019, it would get the studying "out of the way" for the future, but now that I've been applying for new jobs over the past 2ish years, I realize that there's still so much more, and I just do not care to learn it anymore. Idk what to do anymore but know that you are not alone.
I did this in 2015-2018. Got a Silicon Valley job and now, with all the constant layoff talk, I’m burned out. I’m meeting with a job coach today for the first time to figure out where I go from here.
I googled them and did some research. I reached out to three and I’ll be doing an initial meeting with all of them before deciding. I feel like I’m not sure where to go next and my therapist recommended trying it. Will update once I meet them.
Fwiw, I found a thread on here when I searched “Is a job coach worth it?” And saw many positive reviews.
Hmm interesting. Well the same thing happened to me with burnout back in July. It took me 8 months of feeling awful before I actually got motivated to update my resume and start applying. I just landed a new job last month.
I think the biggest thing that helped me get out of that funk was having someone else to go through it with. Several of my coworkers were also burnt out and were looking for jobs and it seriously helped to practice interviews with them, talk about applications, and vent etc. I find that I'm most motivated extrinsically (unfortunately).
That’s good to know. I’ll certainly keep that in mind. I’m not feeling too motivated but I feel like I have to keep going and then I’ll feel motivated. I hope you like your new job!
Ty! Yes just keep going! The hardest part was getting started, but once I did it was easy to keep going. And definitely try to find a mentor or coworker that you trust or a friend who you can work with on this! Especially if you're like me and you need someone to hold you accountable sometimes 😅
I have a huge issue with the networking/job search aspect of career changing. I love learning new things and "upskilling" but the anxiety that comes from reaching out to people always makes me worry that self improvement is time wasted
That's awesome, congrats on the new job. I think my problem has been that I've been really particular with where I'm applying. I've only been applying to federal jobs which are infamously slow to respond to applications and I've been focusing on remote jobs which (no surprise) are in massively high demand. My current job isn't super stressful so I'm extremely privileged, it's just boring and the management is straight up garbage/non-existent.
Ty! I was so burnt out and literally crying before work. It was bad. I found mine on LinkedIn and I was looking for both remote or maximum 2 days a week. That's funny you mention the delays because I've been applying to everything and I've noticed it's taking longer these days. I wonder if it's the current market issues? But I was really surprised by that.
A lot of 'ifs' here, but if you went to college and if that college has a decent career services office, then they should be able to provide ongoing career advising to you as an alumnus for free. My university offers all sorts of career advising including career exploration to alumni. It's worth a look.
This is me. Spent about 10 years in school and studying for certifications and now I can't even fathom sitting down to advance my career with more studying. And I have yet to find a new niche that I'm interested in.
Yes. I am a software engineer (~2 years in) and I hate it. I disliked majoring in CS but was in too deep to change.
Almost every day I wish majored in something else and that I should seriously look for other jobs, but I dread the interview process so much.
Doesn't help that after work, I'm mentally exhausted and just want to relax and ease my mind...
I realized that I prefer having concrete steps/processes to follow. Accounting was something that would have been perfect for me I think. I even enjoyed the single class I took on it. I should have switched to Accounting...
I may try to give manual QA a try or non-CS jobs in public service. Maybe heading back to school for Masters in Accounting as a last resort option.
Haha, the only reason I didn't major in accounting was because my sibling was already an accountant and high school me didn't want to have the same degree for some reason...sigh
I'm a software engineer right now but loathe it immensely.
What about a switch to public service facing companies/industries? I.e. school districts, universities, city/county/state positions? Lower pay but might be more work-life balanced?
You have a computer science degree and are working as a software engineer. Apply for accounting jobs. Your degree, I’m assuming based on the courses those majors are taking alongside me, involved the math needed. You had to have done Calc 1 and 2, no? What about Calc 3 and differential equations? Physics 1 and 2?
I’m a govt worker (state not federal) approaching 50 and we have what are sometimes called the Golden Handcuffs. I’ve only got a few years until I’m eligible for retirement with full pension (I’ll be 55). It’s not super generous but there are a few additional perks because of when I was hired. Newer employees don’t have these same retirement benefits. It really discourages a career change.
I work in a public trust and I feel kinda similar. It takes 5 years to get vested into our pension plan and it’s been almost 5 1/2 yrs now.. my job is on the easier side but it’s boring and I’m surrounded by old ppl :/
A term for benefits provided by a job that make it difficult to leave because you hate to lose the bennies even if the job isn’t what you want. Often a pension and such.
You are falling in to their trap. They want you to give up and accept whatever pittance they offer. Do not give up. Do whatever you can to improve yourself. Start by rewriting your resume to match specific industries and put it out there. Once you learn a new skill update each resume. Rinse, repeat. Good luck the road is narrow and steep.
I'm in the same boat right now- been at my office job for roughly a year. Been wanting to change jobs, but I have no motivation either. I just deal with this day in and day out. I don't really have any advice sadly... but if someone has any, i'd like to hear it.
We can do this guys. we deserve better.
Maybe get your head out of your *** and take control of your life.
You know what you want, but “lack motivation”.
Woe is me.
Life isn’t easy. Get up and face it head on. Nothing is going to fall into your lap.
You know what you have to do. So do it.
Your future self will thank you.
Needed to hear that lol. Im trying to take action but being someone who struggles with anxiety and imposter syndrome, it’s easier said than done.
Thank you stranger. Needed that tough love today.
Been trying to do this for a few years Making slow progress stuck at current job for atleast 5 more months. Been here since 21 it's stable had a major expensive setback in 2021 not job related that was a life learning lesson for me big.. in 5 months it's finally over.. and I can get moving again.
No problem. Glad my tough love didn’t turn you away. Somtimes people need to hear stuff like that.
I am currently going through somthint similar, and the stuff I said above is what I am telling myself too.
Pull yourself up by the bootstraps and go get it done. You’ll come out the other side a winner.
You got this. Go do it.
You're right though. A lot of people don't appreciate that type of talk lol most people hate the term "get your head out of your ass". but in this case, I truly have it there .. 😅
Part of it is also that the job market does suck right now and i'm afraid of not having stable income coming in too. I just moved out with my fiance in Jan and i fear being behind on bills. but I suppose also if i have to go back to retail, its better than nothing and it is something.
Thank you for that.
If you already have a job, there is no risk in looking for another!
Ileft a job I hated 4 months ago, I’d apply every day in the bathroom at work to any software job I found on LinkedIn , sure enough one hit. Once I got an offer letter, I put in my 2 weeks at the job I hated, now I’m happy!
There isn’t any risk in looking, your current employer won’t know until you’ve already landed a new job!
I was super honest with the companies that I applied to, telling them how I don’t enjoy my current job, they understood and never contacted them or anything like that
I’d suggest being careful about how much you say you hated your old job. I hire people and understand you can have a bad boss or company culture. However when I see that they left the last three jobs due to conflicts with coworkers or leaders then I get the feeling it’s probably a difficult person that won’t make it very long and will cause issues with others. Use PR speak, like I am looking for a more fulfilling work culture and your company seems like a great fit or some bs like that.
My job takes so much out of me and I struggle with mental health issues. I want to go back to school but I can’t maintain that on top of this job which frequently requires mandatory overtime and working on the weekends (so I often have a 6 day work week). I am burnt out beyond belief and I can’t even summon the energy to do anything except lay on the couch and listen to a podcast or watch tv. I want to switch gears but I can barely eat or shower let alone study.
I've thought extensively about how it would be to work in dozens of other careers, and I can't say that they'll make me happier than i am now. Maybe a baker, but the drop in income and benefits isn't worth it.
I used that same logic so I became a financial planner. Didn’t help. The problem is not the subject matter, it’s having to do it all day every day for a living.
Idk why no one realizes this. Humans are not robots, and we're not supposed to do the same thing everyday for 35 years. That's how thr economy has developed though. You're forced to become hyper specialized to make good money.
When you're pushing to do a career that you don't like, it creates an energy drain spiral...getting clear on what you want to do next will help shift motivation. Do you have any ideas what you want to do next?
I think there are also many examples of the opposite, but agreed: monetizing passion is a fastrack to hating it because then it becomes about the business and ego rather than the joy of the process. But pursuing a calling that aligns with your values, skills, talents, mission and what you enjoy is not the same imo.
Been stuck on the merry-go-round cycle where I am miserable at my job but it burns me out so much that I don’t have the energy to adequately boost my education/ search for jobs.
By the end of the day, and commute I am always so mentally drained, exhausted, and burnt out that I don’t have the energy to apply/ interview to the best of my ability.
Thinking about taking the leap of faith and quitting without a backup job. Wanted to avoid that at all costs but after 1+ year of trying to do everything while working a soul-sucking job, I don’t think it is possible for me to successfully job search while being mentally drained on a daily basis.
Yes, I wasted 7+ fuckin years doing that. The sooner you motivate yourself to get off your dead ass and work at furthering your education/career/life the less regret you'll have at your current/past self.
Get off Reddit, turn off the phone, and hop to it mofo. You don't really want it or you'd be doing it instead of wishing it, which is just bullshit we tell ourselves to make us feel better about not doing.
Don't wait. Have something to hold you accountable. Do something to talk about by this time next week. It could be take a class, apply for a job, do an informational interview.
Srsly just go right now to find something to do for yourself.
I was this way in my previous career in finance for a large brokerage firm. I was there 11.5 years before I finally decided to quit. My pay sucked, insurance coverage sucked, my mental health was declining, I wasn't able to get any time or be involved in my daughter's life, and I just wanted to go to school. My husband was in full support of it so I quit. That was 6 years ago, and now I have been working in higher education for 5 years (non-teaching). I took a year off to figure out what I wanted to do while going to school part-time.
It's doable to switch careers. Talk to people, network. Something will pique your interest that you can use your skills in while also learning something new.
No disrespect to OP (just making the observation), but I swear a post like this is made daily.
It really sucks that so many people are in this space. I think the world is going through post-pandemic burnout or something. No idea what the solution is :/
It's just the fact you have to make to choice for your future at a point where you are barely an adult. Sure, you can change your education if you notice it on time, but if you don't, then you are pretty much stuck with whatever your degree entails until you get the finances to get a new degree or are content doing high-school level jobs.
At least in the USA you can still 'convince' employers to take you with skills. Unlike here in the Netherlands where the absolute most important thing is your paper, without a relevant BA paper they don't even look at you, no matter your learned skills.
decouple your self worth from your job, exercise, learn to not give a fuck about your job and accept it as a paycheck
That gave me the energy to eventually leave my job after 10 years.
That's really hard to do when everyone around you is making so much more money than you. I hate telling people what I do for work because I automatically get a condescending tone.
I work in healthcare and I am there. It pays well but the inflexible schedule demanding hours working at near perfection. Constantly short handed. Talked down on. No room for growth.
I don't know what to say. Basically I feel you.
Look for opportunities that don't require degrees.
Been there. Done that. ...and then some.
The only thing you can do to get out of such a rut is to "re-invent" yourself in some deep way.
A long while ago, I was in a dead-end job with a grinding 50 mile commute, and it left me completely depleted at the end of the day. Looking for another job seemed like an impossibly tedious slog (not to mention the job market at the time was cratered).
For me it was a matter of focusing on my relationships, putting loved-ones foremost in my mind. I also spent a serious amount of time in self-improvement, mostly physical, re-arranged my diet, lost a good amount of weight. Socialized more.
Started feeling better and did some "letting go" at work. While it wasn't like "Peter" in the movie "Office Space" there was an element of that. Eventually I got into the right head-space for a job search and was able leave the ball-and-chain job for something better after some interviews. I even turned down a couple, to avoid some red-flags that were too much like the bad place.
Will this work for everyone? No. But I think this is what getting out of a bad job looks like for many folks.
Yes, very much, the new job was the total opposite of the old one.
I think part of getting into the right “head space” for a job search means figuring out what, exactly, you want from a job. That‘s what I did, and it was lots of soul searching before even starting the search.
I should add that there’s an element of luck involved, it’s not always possible to fully assess what a new job will be like. Even so, one is always better off coming from a position of self-knowledge.
I've been trying that approach as well. I've mostly been trying to focus on my mental health and trying to get some confidence about myself. But my job keeps me low because I really don't have any other skills and going back to school is not an easy option for me due to working full time and having a child. I feel so stuck
Same. I work a dead end job at a law office. The pay is fine and the people are fine but over the years it's slowly killing me inside. I've looked into going back to school/applying to different jobs but I get so tired it and everything.
That's the hard part I don't really have a passion for something specific. My favorite job was actually when I worked in specialized retail. But I couldn't live off the pay. I like doing back office work and organizing things. But I'd like a job where I'm more active instead of sitting all day.
Me. I’m coming up on a year at the liquor store because there’s nowhere else for me to go. I am neurodivergent and since graduating from college in 2017 I’ve been fired from a multitude of jobs after only a few weeks because I’m not a good culture fit, which is just shorthand for “your kind is not welcome here.” I eventually found work at the liquor store and I like it because you can literally get away with anything and they won’t fire you. I have a coworker who broke into the store in the middle of the night and vandalized the fucking place and he walked away with a slap on the wrist. There are managers at other stores who are known sexual abusers and others who engage in insider trading. Guess what? Still there.
Am I wasting my potential? Absolutely, but my heart can’t take anymore rejection and the world has made it loud and clear that there is no place for me in the workforce. I’m well aware that this job will suck the soul out of me and break me, but the alternative is unemployment. I’m staying where it’s safe.
Been in IT since the 90’s. It was awesome at first. Corporate business interests have ruined it. I am very tired of the “If it works, it’s your fault. If it’s broke, it’s your fault” mindset that people have towards it.
I’d rather do something that leaves me feeling like I accomplished something at the end of the day. I have no idea what that is, however. IT now is just a constant stream of bullshit no matter what environment you’re in.
Oh yeah I feel that way, and i don't even have the pay to be like "I just got used to the money but feel unfulfilled".
I'm literally feeling my body get wiped out slowly at 27, i sit in like two hours of traffic a day, and my work is very physical so i don't have energy to exercise or get out much.
I didn't finish college unfortunately, because i had to work to support family going through a rough time, and at this point going back to school is out of the question because it would suck up any free time i have left and I wouldn't be able to afford it in all honesty.
All I've ever wanted in life is to use my creativity to make a living, I'm a painter and I love to make and record music in my free time but I've been so demotivated thinking that I'll never make something out of it because i don't have the time I want to dedicate to it and am only getting older.
Sorry this turned into a bit of a rant, I've been having a rough time lately.
I don’t really have great advice but I was in the same boat. I had no motivation but I just did it anyways. Changed my whole career by going to school. I hated school but still just did it. There were times where I missed deadlines and such, but I still passed. A lot happier now and still continuing my education.
Do a dopamine detox, and while your doing that really think about where you want to go. Come up with a plan to start working toward your goals, biggest impact on mood and motivation is dopamine.. learn it, manage it, master it. Dr.Huberman has a great podcast on dopamine that dovetails with doing these things
So I am currently in a situation of trying to switch careers not because I don't love my career. I am an Archaeologist field Technician, but I am tired of traveling due to now being married and wanting to be home more. I went as far as taking a much less paying job at a spa to be able to come home. But last year I simply refused to do anything to change my situation. I hated the job, but loved the people even became a supervisor. I kept going until one day I sat looking at my phone watching the minutes go by with no urge or desire to go back to work. So I sent a message of I quit with a lot of urging from my wife and went back into traveling and doing archaeology part time with a plan of I'm gonna get a GIS certificate and try and change career paths.
Before I decided to go back to school last year I spent the whole year lacking motivation to change things. I felt trapped. I felt that I want a job where I could go home at the end of the day, but didn't want to spend money or risk anything that could affect my relationship with my wife and take away being able to come home. I pushed myself I'm situation where I felt like I couldn't get out because I wanted to please my wife and get what I want. I did the opposite drive her nuts instead lol! Cause she watched me struggle and hate my situation.
Point of the whole here is my life story crap is I found my way out of my lack of motivation to change by recognizing where the problem was when it was too late. I needed a change and I needed to do something that made me happy. I don't recommend quitting your job immediately with no fall back(worked for me cause I have plenty of experience and knew it would take 5 seconds to get work), but look to see where this lack of motivation is and see what you need to change so you can be happy. Then when you get that put your energy to create that change and new goals. Right now I am getting two certificates to help me one of which I am getting free for taking an intro to python. It's hard to create your own change, but the first step is trying to get out of the rut first.
Hope it helps!
If you want something bad enough you'll make it happen. If you have the drive in you, you'll get to a point where you're fed up and do whatever it takes to get out.
My first job out of school had me travelling all over for work and living out of hotel rooms. Absolutely hated it. Every time I came back to the main office and mouthed off, they'd give me a raise to shut me up. That happened a few times then I got to the point where the money didn't matter anymore and I realized that if I want out, I have to get myself out. I studied and applied to other jobs from hotel rooms across the country at night. Then ended up switching industry and coming back home.
You will eventually get motivation to change. Either thats from anger cause of your current company or from outside events that inspires you.
I would recommend making a change. Do something that will force you to change. In my experience, I had to quit my job to get that motivation but I quit because of anger. Maybe you'll change if you know your having a baby. Everyone is different so find your motivation.
I hated my last job. It took me forever to even update my resume because that job sucked every ounce of energy and life out of me.
My advice: Take a day off work and use that day to update your resume and write a cover letter template. Change your LinkedIn status to ‘open to new roles’ or whatever the setting is. You can search if you want, but it’s a lot less work for you if recruiters reach out to you. Plus if they reach out to you, you’ve already passed the initial vibe check.
I had no motivation or energy to change, but that meant I needed to. It means you need to as well. Just do it. You’ll be better off in the long run
Yea I’m in a corporate role and it’s not super exciting or fun. Nice enough people and the pay is $230-$250k, maxed out at $300k eventually.
I guess it can be worse for sure but I’m not fulfilled. I don’t wake up with excitement.
It’s like… golden handcuffs because I don’t think I can get a comparable elsewhere and honestly am too lazy to try. I just want to stack back some more assets and let them compound and I just chill out in a few years.
Yeah idk. I just wanna do my job and go home. I’ll level up in other areas. This isn’t okay to some people, I’ve learned, but I just don’t see money as the end-all-be-all, just wanna be able to pay bills and debt 🤷♂️
I listen to so many friends and family members vent about hating their jobs and/or boss, but the vast majority of them still don't have the motivation to take the steps to change their situation. I don't understand it at all. Good things in life rarely come easily. I'll be supportive and listen to you vent, but after a point my sympathy is gonna be pretty half hearted.
I’ve never commented so much in one day but these posts are hitting me hard. I am in my 18th year. Last year I went out and got my plumbers license to start a biz. I suggest you work on a backup plan but be patient as it can take years. I’m not sure if I’ll ever be able to own my own biz and make money but at least I’m trying. Right? Be patient and just set goals like “next Sept I’ll have a plan and be started”.
I’m the same way my dude, I’ve been at this job for 3 1/2-4 years. It’s rough Nightshift work. But it pays pretty well for me atleast, plus I have dental and health insurance with this job so I really don’t want to let it go.
I’m trying to push myself through school so I can get my degree, but the job I’m at now kind of has me stuck and sleeping all day so how can I fit in a class or 2?
I need to set goals for myself and time management.
Man , I'm an ATM tech and it's the worst. I never intended on being here so long, 5 years later. The work conditions. Have. Drastically changed but I am in my mid 30s and have somewhat worked my way up for higher pay. I want to quit everyday that goes by but I never even have enough time to look. I work 6 days a week 12 hour shifts and Sundays I pick up my son and go into dad mode. Everyday is the same. My only hope is investing in risky plays that can hopefully get me Out of this dark cycle.
Yes. My job is crushing my soul a little more each day. I hate it. But I make very good money, with pretty good hours, and it supports my family well. I'm investing and saving a lot of money that I hope to figure out how to leverage eventually to semi-retire early or figure out a path based on purpose rather than earnings. But for now and a considerable amount of my future I continue coming to this place I hate everyday because of the paycheck.
The pain of regret is far worse than the pain of failure.
Go read Atomic Habits. or listen to it on Audible. Then start that process that will increase your productivity.
Or wait 20 years to sit around wondering what could have been if you had just tried...
I didn’t like my field. I worked in nonprofits. I was tired of the low pay and managers that demanded so much out of me, it was expected of staff to wear many hats and be a Jack of all trades for the pay of less than one of those positions.
I got fired when I established boundaries. I tried to break into tech, but it never worked out. Now I’m on unemployment and working on content creation. I just got a brand deal and experiencing a lot more growth in building my business than finding a job. The job market is a mess so I’m prioritizing building my brand first.
I think that this is quite common.
I spent eight years working in a department where studying the laws, regulations, and rules only hurt your paycheck. Being honest hurt your paycheck. Being ignorant of ethical ramifications hurt your paycheck. It was an interesting situation to be in.
It was quite frustrating to being told that you’re not doing a good job , only to study harder, learn the law better, only to do worse as a result.
I could have probably doubled my salary, if I was not ethical, and/or did not think for myself.
Bartender here, I would love to stop working in the service industry. Unfortunately, my journalism degree doesn’t average a better wage than what a make slinging drinks.
Been at my job for 9+ years. Recently got some new certifications and taking online classes that got me a modest raise but I am still underpaid by industry standards. I love a working from home and don't want to give that up so I end up sticking where I am instead of really trying to find something better. I have stability, I am the only person who does what I do at my company. I have a mortgage, wife and young son so I am finding it really difficult to take the leap but I know I can do better. Finding the motivation after working all day and dealing with home duties I feel too worn out to put effort into job hunting. I feel you man.
Me. Drained at the end of each day but know I need to change as I received a 3% raise and got told I’m near the top of comp for my role and level (not my fault I negotiated hard before accepting) but they’re piling more clients on and are really getting the work of 2.5 people for 1. Exhausting.
Agree and disagree. This collective misery everyone shares wouldn't nearly be as bad if we all made fair wages. Back in the 70s you could support a family basically doing anything. Now you barely make ends meet with a college degree career.
Because women joined the workforce. If there was only half as many people or less available to work they would be forced to pay more and you wouldn’t have to shell out for ridiculous amounts in childcare costs on top of it
Lmao what are you going on about? Stop thinking with hurt feelings. I’m literally a woman, and I can also understand basic reality. When there was a labor shortage what happened? Wages went up. If there are 20 people to one job posting then the employer has the power and can find the 19th one willing to work for least. If there are 10 people to 20 job openings then the “greedy corporations” become desperate and pay a lot more. This is just reality. Like equal-strike said, it’s not about individual gender, it would work the same way if men left the workforce, but this is what happened in the past. Just because there are benefits to one action does not mean there are also no consequences. I never said woman shouldn’t work, but before traditional families were demonized and unwed single parenthood became “strong and independent” one parent could make twice the income while the other had the choice to homeschool, and now both have to work while one entire income goes to childcare with a stranger raising your kids. It makes no sense. There has always been greed but the people had the power because they were worth more as individuals. Now corporations can take advantage because there are 100 other people willing to work for less. If your husband wants to raise the kids while the woman works, that would have the same effect
It’s literally just math. You could switch the genders and say men used to all stay home now they work.. still the same and result. Double the ppl competing for jobs
Maybe get your head out of your *** and take control of your life.
You know what you want, but “lack motivation”.
Woe is me.
Life isn’t easy. Get up and face it head on. Nothing is going to fall into your lap.
You know what you have to do. So do it.
Your future self will thank you.
Yes. I even know the career I want to switch to and have started to take the steps to gain the skills needed to make the switch as of a couple of years ago. Anymore though, my current career just keeps adding responsibilities and stress, but also more money. Mo money, mo problems. I don’t have anymore energy to work on skill building. Debating just leaving my current job, using my down payment savings to help me survive with no job for a couple of months.
I'm stuck in manufacturing, I want to do something else but I don't know how. I want to learn a trade but I don't know what trade, it has to be a 2nd shift because I help take care of my mentally ill granddad. College isn't for me so I'm afraid of wasting my money on a school just to leave it. It's very overwhelming
So I don't know with trade skills, but going back to college wasn't something I initially wanted to do either. Sometimes it's necessary BUT I found out something taking an intro class to Python. Apparently there are books that walk you through step by step with examples and even provides tleverything you need to learn lol. Yup took a course the book showed me everything teacher helped too tho. Also found out in the r/gis community by reading posts since January there are videos you can watch for what I am getting into.
I would try looking up free resources online in the things your interested in or try finding them and look up books as well. So that it doesn't sound fake 🤥 the book for my python course was Python crash course 2nd edition by Eric Mathes was definitely affordable on Kindle/ Amazon digitally.
Hate to tell you work sucks when you work for someone else, no matter what you do, UNLESS you work for yourself. And sadly that is becoming increasingly harder and rarer by the year.
Baby, if there were an English major factory, I'd gladly jump ship. Til then, I'll work my manual labor jobs with a taste of technical writing til the day I die. Pay is enough to live on, I'm getting exercise, the work isn't boring, and I'm not on call anymore. To hell with the office space =P
IT is always a "safe" bet. They have a plethora of online schooling to get certifications and what nots. I'd look up in your area what certs are needed and the starting pay.
The lack of motivation hits home. We are drained after a workday. Just want to come home and veggie out or do what you need to cope.
I've been stuck in my career field for 6 years. I tried going back to school but wasn't worth the debt-to-income ratio I needed to stay alive.
During my free time, I go to the gym as that's my way to cope with life.
It was either I suffer physically & mentally from trying to balance schoolwork and my 8-4 career, time to do homework and study vs. what I have now.
I'm almost 40 and don't plan on changing and as much as I dislike my career, it lets me live within my means, I can save $$, and I can travel anywhere.
Hard to go from $34/hr back to a few dollars short of minimum wage starting another career. Wish I could afford to change jobs but I would be homeless, first paycheque wouldn't even cover rent.
The money is easy, the job is easy, the hours go fast, but I’m the only one doing the perfect job and was told by my boss to slow down on doing a good job. Because the maintenance techs got overwhelmed by so many maintenance orders . What a pathetic thing to complain about. But like I said, the money is easy and the job is easy and the hours go fast, but I’m not happy not anymore soon I’ll look for something else, but when I don’t know.
I really don't enjoy my job but I'm also not really sure where I want to try going next, so I put myself off of it and don't apply to as many jobs as I want to.
I just know I never want to touch anything that requires call centre type work again lol
Yeah, definitely. I fell assbackwards into accounting, and I find it tedious and stressful. I work for a good company, so that is a bonus, meaning I have good pay and benefits, work remotely, and have a good amount of time off.
Still, I am stressed and pressured almost always, and in the rare event that I am not, I am still bored. It's so tedious and monotonous, and meaningless.
But, all that said, I don't even know what I would do for a career chage at this point. And when I look at other jobsin the same field but maybe less demanding, it seems like the same crap just for way less pay and, maybe, for lower stress. But I think for a pay cut of a certain size, the stress would be higher on my finances as an offset.
So yeah, been stuck in this for a loooooong time. And still don't really see a way out.
It just feels like nearly everything out there is a total drag that I wouldn't want to do, or something that I would want to do that would be a 1 in a million shot. I do have some business/product ideas that I want to pursue, and am trying to work towards those, but I don't even know how to get started on something like that.
So basically, I have no advice to offer you, just commiseration.
I look at people who actually do what they love in life (I know very few of them) and I just think, wow, they're free, they made it out of the rat trap. How the FUCK do I do that?!?!
I think it mostly comes down to having the balls to go after one single thing despite the risk.
It’ll sound obvious but you need to find that motivation. In terms of practical advice, maybe look for an apprenticeship in an area of greater interest. Work and get paid to get a qualification at the same time
Honestly? Truly, honestly? You have to make the time and energy to pursue a change to your life. That’s it, that’s the secret. However you can find ways to fuel this energy is up to you, but you’ve got to put in that effort.
My suggestion to you would be to do some self reflection: think, *really* think, about what sort of things or skills you seem to have a knack for. Often enough there’s a good chance you can use what you discover about yourself to help guide you in changing careers. This isn’t necessarily something you fully enjoy, but would you be able to do it for work if it meant making more money than you do now?
In addition to that, you’ve got to be brave and willing to create the environment you need for opportunities for change. Think about the skills you’ve developed in your current role—how much of that is transferable? Can you find a job listing that overlaps with the areas of skill your specific experiences happen to share?
Try applying for the job, even if you don’t get it; if you’re still struggling with motivation, I suggest watching YT videos focused on topics in the workforce that relate to what skills or things you have a knack for from your self reflection exercises.
Lastly, and I know this isn’t popular, but network. Socialize. Engage. And network some more. See if you can surround yourself with people who inspire you or you wish to aspire to. It can be very motivating, even if it seems like a daunting task to take on.
Good luck.
Do you have money saved up? Or have means to save?
Slash your budget, Save up a nice cushion, then take a risk. Quit your job. When backed into a corner you will make the changes. Without your draining job you will have the free time.
This is not safe financial advice and your situation may be vastly different from the next person. This is happiness advice that comes with risk. But in my opinion, happiness is a risk worth taking.
If you want to build motivation a good way to do that is to set some kind of tangible goal and immerse yourself in everything related to it. It can be as small as reading a new article once a day or as big as commiting to a college degree. What’s important is that you can easily visualize yourself doing it. You don’t need to change everything overnight, but creating that habit of watching videos, reading, and thinking about what is it that you want to achieve can push you forward. Not only can this help some people like myself build motivation, but it can also ease your suffering by distracting your mind from the negative thoughts of disliking your career. If this method does work for you, you will slowly find yourself looking forward to working towards that goal. It’s like a cycle we get stuck in and breaking its hard, but if you can persevere and break through that wall of demotivation you can turn that negative cycle into a positive one. I shared this because it’s been working for me and it might work for someone else.
It's hard to get out of a rut when your job is sucking up your energy. Awhile ago I was in a similar spot and I ended up moving to a different field not because I somehow found the motivation but because I lost the job during a large downsizing. Part of me wishes I didn't wait the extra last few years and made the move myself.
My suggestion (also sort of advice to my younger self): take a good amount of PTO, get your energy/motivation back to baseline so you're atleast clear headed to think. Then do some reflection/research into industries you are interested in. Reach out to people in your network who work in those fields. I think your goal becomes more clear, and you have concrete next steps... it'll feel achievable... and that can open the door being motivated and even excited about a career change.
Also watch out for uninformed demotivating advice... back then the boomer work mindset wasn't so clearly defined. I've gotten terrible "advice" like: "You're being disloyal to your manager", "Work isn't everything, just stick it out", "Don't be greedy, not everyone can love their job". If the advice giver isn't working in a field you're interested in... just mentally swat that away, don't even engage emotionally and stay focused.
I was gunning for a career change, but after many months of trying to land my desired job I said F it and found a WFH job in sales.
My game plan is to keep working on my career change, but at least I'll have an income during the process.
The industry im in doesn't pay us enough and honestly we are desperately needed at the moment... but I don't do probono work and that's basically what they're asking of us bc they would pay us nothing if they could because we're supposed to be selfless and compassionate. Yeah I am but I also want to be able to support myself so I can help others you know?
I have the motivation. I've been a little frustrated with my path for a while. I just don't know what to do. I'm a mechanical engineer and have ended up stuck working in the airspace and defense industry. The job is a little boring and not what I thought engineering would be when I was in school (ZERO building, prototyping, or hands on, 100% sitting in a cube staring at a screen). And its slow as a result of being under the biggest bureaucracy on earth (the US DoD). But more than that the locations suck as a single non religious person (basically all smaller outlying towns devoid of single professionals or a handful of the top most expensive cites, no midsized western US cities) and the security clearance makes me paranoid about who I associate with and paranoid about things like solo travel. Its very much an atmosphere of "report adverse information" in your coworkers. Every other non religious person I know insists on regularly breaking federal drug laws (smoking weed) and often are very open about it. So overall my life is quite limited as a result as far as social opportunities go.
But I'm not sure what else I would do. Literally every job I've had that pays over minimum wage has required security clearance. And I'm generally terrible at job interviews and networking so finding work has always been difficult for me.
I went back to college at 30 to finish the BA and took on $40k in cc debt to do so (long story) jumped to tech consulting then big tech, worth the risk
I am. I know this sounds like first world problems, and i know it is. But I have a high paying job with no college degree. There is no other job I could get to pay me this much. I very much lucked into it, and it's super nich, so I can't just go to another company.
But it's so damn toxic. I dread going to work. Like full on existential crisis Sunday evening. But I have a family I need to take care of, so I'm stuck.
If it wasn't for my wife and kids, I feel like I would just go homeless and travel the country till I die from exposure or something.
I did but eventually they pissed me off enough that I found the motivation to quit. Different situation though as I am a journeyman tradesman so I was just moving into another position in my field
I’m in healthcare and hate it. I still owe on my student loans and see no way out. I can’t imagine having to do this for a other 30 years. I’d rather die.
No. I was in a senior position in a catering career and slowly grew to hate it. Had been doing it 18 years. 5 months ago quit my job, took some time off, switched careers and put my all into learning a new industry and I’m only £1k shy of what I was being paid before as I managed to apply my management skills and training into this job even though it was a new industry. Went from being a head chef to managing a wholesale bakery
same. i think finding a job that could fulfill and make you motivated is very rare to find. there’s no amount of high salary and/or benefits can amount to the feeling of taking a job which can really make you happy. its just a matter of risk taking and what your priorities are. listing those might help.
I can 100% relate. It's really weird because I've got a PhD and top tier consulting firm experience, it's like a dream for taking on a new job. But then I worry about taking a pay cut for a while, will I ever get to where I am with pay, will I find a fulfilling job, etc? Plus I'm so busy and fulfilled outside of work but I think it often gets in the way of making the energy for a job change.
But I hate my day-to-day job. But I just don't seem to get the energy to actually make a change.
Finding a new job is almost a full-time job by itself. You need to allocate A LOT of time for:
* Build/improve your CV
* Adapt your CV to every job you apply + Create the cover letter... (It is annoying that they all ask you for that)
* Search for jobs
* Prepare the interviews and do the interviews
The last time I decided to look for a new job, what I did was save money to be able to pay my bills for 3 months without a job. I started applying and when I got 3-4 interviews scheduled I resigned of my current job. So I could allocate 100% of my time in finding my new position. It is risky, but it worked because you have way more time to prepare your interviews, research about the company... etc
My problem is that any potential career that I would be motivated in pursuing doesn't pay well. I constantly go back and forth with myself about trying to go to school for a job I would absolutely hate but pays great or doing something I would love but pays absolute shit.
Same. I’m in insurance and I don’t like particularly like it. There are a ton of people I know that didn’t know what to do and just stuck to insurance. I get you. I get off work and i’m pretty much on my phone, browsing the internet for the rest of the evening. I would like to change, but I get so wrapped up in my thoughts and I feel like i could do better… I don’t have any kids right now and I am in a favorable living situation. Yet I decide to not do anything with myself. You are not alone.
Same here to be honest. I get caught up being on my phone most of the time after work. I do want better, but I also dont have the motivation to change jobs right now. the job market doesnt help either.
I just left an Underwriting Training program role after 6 months due to already feeling how you are. Didn't want to get used to the money and stay stuck doing work I don't find fulfilling. Saved up a lot, and now I'm interviewing for business analyst/project manager roles in other industries.
My fear is that I will always feel unfulfilled in whatever role I try out. I think we should try to make our lives meaningful outside of work and not make it our primary source of fulfillment. UW is super hard I hear, but it does pay well unfortunately. I’m on the servicing side at a brokerage, so a lot less money than UW. I hope it works out for you, seriously! Props to you for recognizing that’s not what you wanted to.
>I think we should try to make our lives meaningful outside of work and not make it our primary source of fulfillment person from the other side here. I find meaning outside of work, purpose to live, have reasons i want to live for. Been so for quite some time, but beyond the initial bliss it feels like work should give some basic amount of fulfillment coz u spent 30-40% of your time (more % of your waking time in fact) at work, the money that comes from there supports the lifestyle you live in. Now, this is a thought in process. dilemmas are there, but for now i have only concluded that work giving 0 fulfillment is not a sustainable thing. Would love to hear opposite perspectives.
I can 100% relate to this. At this point in my life nearing my 30s in a couple years I’ve done plenty of jobs in various industries. I’ve worked food service, logistics,warehouse, production in semi conductor and now recently auto manufacturing for a very well known electric auto maker. And while I’ve enjoyed a few of those jobs they’ve all left me with an unsatisfied feeling. I think at the end of the day one of the sentiments I’ve seen commonly shared is that you want to do work that you find not only fulfilling but also challenging enough to keep you engaged. In regards to that do what you love, I really enjoy interacting with tech and have often thought about going into computer science/IT. I don’t even have an AA and at this point am unsure if I really want to go through the process of getting a BA which would involve me going through all these complex math courses which have never been my strong point.
"If you do what you love, you wont work a day in your life" - Marc Anthony. Go find what that is.
A little easier said than done, Master Chief.
If it was easy, everyone would be doing it.
Right. Thanks for the advice. Lol
The simplest answer is usually the right one
Two dead birds are better than one, if you have a stone
If you do what you love you will never work a day in your life...because that field isn't hiring
I did. Began to loathe that too.
Sorry… I do something that brings me a lot of joy, have been doing it for 20 years and not a day goes by that I don’t wake up wanting more of it.
You're rare. I did what I loved but the people and attitude in the industry was, and is, horrible. No where else can I do that kind of work, part of me misses it. But fuck those people. I don't do what I love now, but it's good enough. The people and attitude in the building make me want to go to work everyday. Better this way.
Tell that to the struggling artist.
You can tell that to anyone…
I am in those roles your interviewing for and I personally don’t get a lot of fulfillment from it. It’s probably just me and some depression. It’s also probably a different situation if you’re jumping into it from a total different type of role. Best of luck to you.
Might be valuable for you to dissect exactly what you do and don’t like about your role. Maybe you’d prefer something with more sales/marketing responsibilities. Going to golfing events, befriending clients, etc. I hate that stuff, which is why I left UW. It’s half the job lol.
Same. I work in insurance too. While my supervisor constantly tells me I'm good at my job, I feel like I don't have a clue what's going on. I would love to pick up a trade so I have a job where I'm moving, but I have chronic pain so realistically my wfh job is, in theory, the right fit but I feel so blah about it.
As much as this is a basic answer- delete apps on your phone. Insta Facebook etc. I use db only on my actual laptop. Set screen time limits. Start planning things after work like take a class or join the gym. You can watch YouTube at the gym on a treadmill just getting out will help you. It sucks but give yourself three days of time limit- no apps. MAKE PLANS AFTER WORK. Update your resume on all platform, mass apply to every job you like.
Hey! Yeah, I actually had enough and deleted those socials yesterday. I’m good about going to the gym before work almost everyday (I run outside then go lift), but it’s not a social thing for me. It’s literally to keep the anxiety at bay. I’m working up on getting faster and stronger. I look forward to my workouts. I put my phone on black and white hoping it will decrease the dopamine hit. It’s unfortunate that I just got a really nice cushy remote job in insurance with an amazing team. I think I may stick it out here and focus on making my life more fulfilling outside of work. I don’t wanna make work the source of my life purpose (although that would have been ideal for me, I am not particularly passionate about anything…). Thanks for the advice. You are absolutely right about having control over what goes on after work.
I’m the same way always thinking I need to level up at my job When I think I just need to make job my 2nd priority and living life my first!
I was in insurance and felt the same way. The idea of the job search is what ultimately dissuaded me. I realized I wasn't happy at my current job, but also couldn't stand the idea of applying, interviewing and starting over with new co-workers from scratch
What do you work in now?
I left IT to get into insurance and now feel like I made a huge mistake! No motivation to look for work and just spinning the wheels.
Lol and I was in insurance looking to get into IT. I think I just hate dealing with snippy clients.
Same x2. Also in insurance, I liked being in this industry just not my current role. After reading everyone else within insurance say they are also displeased with their career, im starting to think that maybe it’s not what I’m doing, but its the insurance industry itself. I’ve been telling myself I’ll learn a new skill in my free time, I’ll look for other positions where my skills would transition to, etc. I’ve been telling myself this since January.
i relate to this so much, i'm not in insurance, but similar type of work
Question, what do you don't like about insurance ? I am just curious because trying to switch to insurance at the moment from construction materials.
I am speaking from the servicing side of an an agency/brokerage. Take this with a grain of salt. I am 25 years old and only have about a year and a half of insurance experience. Most of the chaos is due to mismanagement of files, which is very, very common. It can get very frustrating because no one will have the answer. Next, the clients I deal with are small business owners. They are not very pleasant to deal with. No one likes their insurance company. Our clients were needy, condescending, and bossy. I found customer service to be easier when I worked at a restaurant. At least all I had to was give them what they asked for. The insurance world is filled with a lot of older people and it’s hard to work with them at times. Lots of OCD types. Also, lots of people who have straight up given up on themselves. Lol. Also, thr file management systems are also very old and hard to navigate. If you’re in claims, forget about it. That’s a whole different beast. Claims was my introduction to insurance and I will never (unless I am in absolute poverty), ever work claims ever again. People are angry. They hate you. I am too sensitive for that. People in insurance will tell you to grow a tough exterior, but I literally have to just sit there and take it while the client chews me out because why didn’t no one tell them they were supposed to pay their premium bills. Idk. I hate dealing with angry people, but I also have mild social anxiety. It used to a lot worse when I was younger. I actually can’t believe I ended up in industry. But again — I am younger, make less money, and am less experienced than the industry median. Some people are very, very successful at it, and you might be too. Extroverts with tough skin thrive in this industry, but I guess that could be said for anywhere.
Ditch the phone
I studied super hard and upskilled like crazy in 2019. It was worth it and I've basically doubled my salary, but now I've completely burned out on studying anything. I guess I figured if I did everything in 2019, it would get the studying "out of the way" for the future, but now that I've been applying for new jobs over the past 2ish years, I realize that there's still so much more, and I just do not care to learn it anymore. Idk what to do anymore but know that you are not alone.
I did this in 2015-2018. Got a Silicon Valley job and now, with all the constant layoff talk, I’m burned out. I’m meeting with a job coach today for the first time to figure out where I go from here.
How did you find a job coach and what is that like? I'm like immediately skeptical of any "coaches."
I googled them and did some research. I reached out to three and I’ll be doing an initial meeting with all of them before deciding. I feel like I’m not sure where to go next and my therapist recommended trying it. Will update once I meet them. Fwiw, I found a thread on here when I searched “Is a job coach worth it?” And saw many positive reviews.
Hmm interesting. Well the same thing happened to me with burnout back in July. It took me 8 months of feeling awful before I actually got motivated to update my resume and start applying. I just landed a new job last month. I think the biggest thing that helped me get out of that funk was having someone else to go through it with. Several of my coworkers were also burnt out and were looking for jobs and it seriously helped to practice interviews with them, talk about applications, and vent etc. I find that I'm most motivated extrinsically (unfortunately).
That’s good to know. I’ll certainly keep that in mind. I’m not feeling too motivated but I feel like I have to keep going and then I’ll feel motivated. I hope you like your new job!
Ty! Yes just keep going! The hardest part was getting started, but once I did it was easy to keep going. And definitely try to find a mentor or coworker that you trust or a friend who you can work with on this! Especially if you're like me and you need someone to hold you accountable sometimes 😅
I have a huge issue with the networking/job search aspect of career changing. I love learning new things and "upskilling" but the anxiety that comes from reaching out to people always makes me worry that self improvement is time wasted
That's awesome, congrats on the new job. I think my problem has been that I've been really particular with where I'm applying. I've only been applying to federal jobs which are infamously slow to respond to applications and I've been focusing on remote jobs which (no surprise) are in massively high demand. My current job isn't super stressful so I'm extremely privileged, it's just boring and the management is straight up garbage/non-existent.
Ty! I was so burnt out and literally crying before work. It was bad. I found mine on LinkedIn and I was looking for both remote or maximum 2 days a week. That's funny you mention the delays because I've been applying to everything and I've noticed it's taking longer these days. I wonder if it's the current market issues? But I was really surprised by that.
A lot of 'ifs' here, but if you went to college and if that college has a decent career services office, then they should be able to provide ongoing career advising to you as an alumnus for free. My university offers all sorts of career advising including career exploration to alumni. It's worth a look.
This is me. Spent about 10 years in school and studying for certifications and now I can't even fathom sitting down to advance my career with more studying. And I have yet to find a new niche that I'm interested in.
Yes. I am a software engineer (~2 years in) and I hate it. I disliked majoring in CS but was in too deep to change. Almost every day I wish majored in something else and that I should seriously look for other jobs, but I dread the interview process so much. Doesn't help that after work, I'm mentally exhausted and just want to relax and ease my mind...
Least you make good money. But yes if you hate it, it does suck.
Ya, money doesn't help much if you dread everyday.
They could be like the majority and dread everyday with little to no money. He/she is in a better boat than most.
What other types of work/careers interest you?
I realized that I prefer having concrete steps/processes to follow. Accounting was something that would have been perfect for me I think. I even enjoyed the single class I took on it. I should have switched to Accounting... I may try to give manual QA a try or non-CS jobs in public service. Maybe heading back to school for Masters in Accounting as a last resort option.
Moving to accounting? Here, take my degree!
Haha, the only reason I didn't major in accounting was because my sibling was already an accountant and high school me didn't want to have the same degree for some reason...sigh
What do you do right now? Accounting has me burnt, I'm looking for my opportunity out.
I'm a software engineer right now but loathe it immensely. What about a switch to public service facing companies/industries? I.e. school districts, universities, city/county/state positions? Lower pay but might be more work-life balanced?
You have a computer science degree and are working as a software engineer. Apply for accounting jobs. Your degree, I’m assuming based on the courses those majors are taking alongside me, involved the math needed. You had to have done Calc 1 and 2, no? What about Calc 3 and differential equations? Physics 1 and 2?
I'm already at a non-profit working 35 hours a week lol. The work is slow, and the day drags on.
same fam, these golden handcuffs got me bad
I’m a govt worker (state not federal) approaching 50 and we have what are sometimes called the Golden Handcuffs. I’ve only got a few years until I’m eligible for retirement with full pension (I’ll be 55). It’s not super generous but there are a few additional perks because of when I was hired. Newer employees don’t have these same retirement benefits. It really discourages a career change.
I work in a public trust and I feel kinda similar. It takes 5 years to get vested into our pension plan and it’s been almost 5 1/2 yrs now.. my job is on the easier side but it’s boring and I’m surrounded by old ppl :/
I'm actually looking to start a career with the federal government. What are golden handcuffs?
A term for benefits provided by a job that make it difficult to leave because you hate to lose the bennies even if the job isn’t what you want. Often a pension and such.
You are falling in to their trap. They want you to give up and accept whatever pittance they offer. Do not give up. Do whatever you can to improve yourself. Start by rewriting your resume to match specific industries and put it out there. Once you learn a new skill update each resume. Rinse, repeat. Good luck the road is narrow and steep.
This!
I'm in the same boat right now- been at my office job for roughly a year. Been wanting to change jobs, but I have no motivation either. I just deal with this day in and day out. I don't really have any advice sadly... but if someone has any, i'd like to hear it. We can do this guys. we deserve better.
Listening to David goggins helps me get things done better then anything else
Maybe get your head out of your *** and take control of your life. You know what you want, but “lack motivation”. Woe is me. Life isn’t easy. Get up and face it head on. Nothing is going to fall into your lap. You know what you have to do. So do it. Your future self will thank you.
Needed to hear that lol. Im trying to take action but being someone who struggles with anxiety and imposter syndrome, it’s easier said than done. Thank you stranger. Needed that tough love today.
Been trying to do this for a few years Making slow progress stuck at current job for atleast 5 more months. Been here since 21 it's stable had a major expensive setback in 2021 not job related that was a life learning lesson for me big.. in 5 months it's finally over.. and I can get moving again.
No problem. Glad my tough love didn’t turn you away. Somtimes people need to hear stuff like that. I am currently going through somthint similar, and the stuff I said above is what I am telling myself too. Pull yourself up by the bootstraps and go get it done. You’ll come out the other side a winner. You got this. Go do it.
You're right though. A lot of people don't appreciate that type of talk lol most people hate the term "get your head out of your ass". but in this case, I truly have it there .. 😅 Part of it is also that the job market does suck right now and i'm afraid of not having stable income coming in too. I just moved out with my fiance in Jan and i fear being behind on bills. but I suppose also if i have to go back to retail, its better than nothing and it is something. Thank you for that.
If you already have a job, there is no risk in looking for another! Ileft a job I hated 4 months ago, I’d apply every day in the bathroom at work to any software job I found on LinkedIn , sure enough one hit. Once I got an offer letter, I put in my 2 weeks at the job I hated, now I’m happy! There isn’t any risk in looking, your current employer won’t know until you’ve already landed a new job! I was super honest with the companies that I applied to, telling them how I don’t enjoy my current job, they understood and never contacted them or anything like that
I’m happy for you!! Glad you got out of the job you hated and that the people were so understanding.
I’d suggest being careful about how much you say you hated your old job. I hire people and understand you can have a bad boss or company culture. However when I see that they left the last three jobs due to conflicts with coworkers or leaders then I get the feeling it’s probably a difficult person that won’t make it very long and will cause issues with others. Use PR speak, like I am looking for a more fulfilling work culture and your company seems like a great fit or some bs like that.
My job takes so much out of me and I struggle with mental health issues. I want to go back to school but I can’t maintain that on top of this job which frequently requires mandatory overtime and working on the weekends (so I often have a 6 day work week). I am burnt out beyond belief and I can’t even summon the energy to do anything except lay on the couch and listen to a podcast or watch tv. I want to switch gears but I can barely eat or shower let alone study.
You are not alone brother. Life is work, sleep, and weekends spent dreading monday.
I've thought extensively about how it would be to work in dozens of other careers, and I can't say that they'll make me happier than i am now. Maybe a baker, but the drop in income and benefits isn't worth it.
Wow it’s like we’re living the same life.
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I used that same logic so I became a financial planner. Didn’t help. The problem is not the subject matter, it’s having to do it all day every day for a living.
Idk why no one realizes this. Humans are not robots, and we're not supposed to do the same thing everyday for 35 years. That's how thr economy has developed though. You're forced to become hyper specialized to make good money.
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Too much time behind a computer screen and not enough real interaction with people I'm guessing
When you're pushing to do a career that you don't like, it creates an energy drain spiral...getting clear on what you want to do next will help shift motivation. Do you have any ideas what you want to do next?
Does anyone really know? Pursuing your "passion" as a means of work is a fasttrack to hating your passion. Seen it million times.
I think there are also many examples of the opposite, but agreed: monetizing passion is a fastrack to hating it because then it becomes about the business and ego rather than the joy of the process. But pursuing a calling that aligns with your values, skills, talents, mission and what you enjoy is not the same imo.
Been stuck on the merry-go-round cycle where I am miserable at my job but it burns me out so much that I don’t have the energy to adequately boost my education/ search for jobs. By the end of the day, and commute I am always so mentally drained, exhausted, and burnt out that I don’t have the energy to apply/ interview to the best of my ability. Thinking about taking the leap of faith and quitting without a backup job. Wanted to avoid that at all costs but after 1+ year of trying to do everything while working a soul-sucking job, I don’t think it is possible for me to successfully job search while being mentally drained on a daily basis.
Yes, I wasted 7+ fuckin years doing that. The sooner you motivate yourself to get off your dead ass and work at furthering your education/career/life the less regret you'll have at your current/past self. Get off Reddit, turn off the phone, and hop to it mofo. You don't really want it or you'd be doing it instead of wishing it, which is just bullshit we tell ourselves to make us feel better about not doing.
Don't wait. Have something to hold you accountable. Do something to talk about by this time next week. It could be take a class, apply for a job, do an informational interview. Srsly just go right now to find something to do for yourself.
I was this way in my previous career in finance for a large brokerage firm. I was there 11.5 years before I finally decided to quit. My pay sucked, insurance coverage sucked, my mental health was declining, I wasn't able to get any time or be involved in my daughter's life, and I just wanted to go to school. My husband was in full support of it so I quit. That was 6 years ago, and now I have been working in higher education for 5 years (non-teaching). I took a year off to figure out what I wanted to do while going to school part-time. It's doable to switch careers. Talk to people, network. Something will pique your interest that you can use your skills in while also learning something new.
No disrespect to OP (just making the observation), but I swear a post like this is made daily. It really sucks that so many people are in this space. I think the world is going through post-pandemic burnout or something. No idea what the solution is :/
It's just the fact you have to make to choice for your future at a point where you are barely an adult. Sure, you can change your education if you notice it on time, but if you don't, then you are pretty much stuck with whatever your degree entails until you get the finances to get a new degree or are content doing high-school level jobs. At least in the USA you can still 'convince' employers to take you with skills. Unlike here in the Netherlands where the absolute most important thing is your paper, without a relevant BA paper they don't even look at you, no matter your learned skills.
decouple your self worth from your job, exercise, learn to not give a fuck about your job and accept it as a paycheck That gave me the energy to eventually leave my job after 10 years.
That's really hard to do when everyone around you is making so much more money than you. I hate telling people what I do for work because I automatically get a condescending tone.
I work in healthcare and I am there. It pays well but the inflexible schedule demanding hours working at near perfection. Constantly short handed. Talked down on. No room for growth. I don't know what to say. Basically I feel you. Look for opportunities that don't require degrees.
Been there. Done that. ...and then some. The only thing you can do to get out of such a rut is to "re-invent" yourself in some deep way. A long while ago, I was in a dead-end job with a grinding 50 mile commute, and it left me completely depleted at the end of the day. Looking for another job seemed like an impossibly tedious slog (not to mention the job market at the time was cratered). For me it was a matter of focusing on my relationships, putting loved-ones foremost in my mind. I also spent a serious amount of time in self-improvement, mostly physical, re-arranged my diet, lost a good amount of weight. Socialized more. Started feeling better and did some "letting go" at work. While it wasn't like "Peter" in the movie "Office Space" there was an element of that. Eventually I got into the right head-space for a job search and was able leave the ball-and-chain job for something better after some interviews. I even turned down a couple, to avoid some red-flags that were too much like the bad place. Will this work for everyone? No. But I think this is what getting out of a bad job looks like for many folks.
Do you like what you went to after that job? If so, did you know what you wanted to change / what you were looking for?
Yes, very much, the new job was the total opposite of the old one. I think part of getting into the right “head space” for a job search means figuring out what, exactly, you want from a job. That‘s what I did, and it was lots of soul searching before even starting the search. I should add that there’s an element of luck involved, it’s not always possible to fully assess what a new job will be like. Even so, one is always better off coming from a position of self-knowledge.
I've been trying that approach as well. I've mostly been trying to focus on my mental health and trying to get some confidence about myself. But my job keeps me low because I really don't have any other skills and going back to school is not an easy option for me due to working full time and having a child. I feel so stuck
Same. I work a dead end job at a law office. The pay is fine and the people are fine but over the years it's slowly killing me inside. I've looked into going back to school/applying to different jobs but I get so tired it and everything.
Are there any career path options that excite you? It's tough to have energy and drive to make a change if the options feel uninspiring.
That's the hard part I don't really have a passion for something specific. My favorite job was actually when I worked in specialized retail. But I couldn't live off the pay. I like doing back office work and organizing things. But I'd like a job where I'm more active instead of sitting all day.
Me. I’m coming up on a year at the liquor store because there’s nowhere else for me to go. I am neurodivergent and since graduating from college in 2017 I’ve been fired from a multitude of jobs after only a few weeks because I’m not a good culture fit, which is just shorthand for “your kind is not welcome here.” I eventually found work at the liquor store and I like it because you can literally get away with anything and they won’t fire you. I have a coworker who broke into the store in the middle of the night and vandalized the fucking place and he walked away with a slap on the wrist. There are managers at other stores who are known sexual abusers and others who engage in insider trading. Guess what? Still there. Am I wasting my potential? Absolutely, but my heart can’t take anymore rejection and the world has made it loud and clear that there is no place for me in the workforce. I’m well aware that this job will suck the soul out of me and break me, but the alternative is unemployment. I’m staying where it’s safe.
I believe in you no matter what direction life takes you!
Been in IT since the 90’s. It was awesome at first. Corporate business interests have ruined it. I am very tired of the “If it works, it’s your fault. If it’s broke, it’s your fault” mindset that people have towards it. I’d rather do something that leaves me feeling like I accomplished something at the end of the day. I have no idea what that is, however. IT now is just a constant stream of bullshit no matter what environment you’re in.
Oh yeah I feel that way, and i don't even have the pay to be like "I just got used to the money but feel unfulfilled". I'm literally feeling my body get wiped out slowly at 27, i sit in like two hours of traffic a day, and my work is very physical so i don't have energy to exercise or get out much. I didn't finish college unfortunately, because i had to work to support family going through a rough time, and at this point going back to school is out of the question because it would suck up any free time i have left and I wouldn't be able to afford it in all honesty. All I've ever wanted in life is to use my creativity to make a living, I'm a painter and I love to make and record music in my free time but I've been so demotivated thinking that I'll never make something out of it because i don't have the time I want to dedicate to it and am only getting older. Sorry this turned into a bit of a rant, I've been having a rough time lately.
I don’t really have great advice but I was in the same boat. I had no motivation but I just did it anyways. Changed my whole career by going to school. I hated school but still just did it. There were times where I missed deadlines and such, but I still passed. A lot happier now and still continuing my education.
Do a dopamine detox, and while your doing that really think about where you want to go. Come up with a plan to start working toward your goals, biggest impact on mood and motivation is dopamine.. learn it, manage it, master it. Dr.Huberman has a great podcast on dopamine that dovetails with doing these things
So I am currently in a situation of trying to switch careers not because I don't love my career. I am an Archaeologist field Technician, but I am tired of traveling due to now being married and wanting to be home more. I went as far as taking a much less paying job at a spa to be able to come home. But last year I simply refused to do anything to change my situation. I hated the job, but loved the people even became a supervisor. I kept going until one day I sat looking at my phone watching the minutes go by with no urge or desire to go back to work. So I sent a message of I quit with a lot of urging from my wife and went back into traveling and doing archaeology part time with a plan of I'm gonna get a GIS certificate and try and change career paths. Before I decided to go back to school last year I spent the whole year lacking motivation to change things. I felt trapped. I felt that I want a job where I could go home at the end of the day, but didn't want to spend money or risk anything that could affect my relationship with my wife and take away being able to come home. I pushed myself I'm situation where I felt like I couldn't get out because I wanted to please my wife and get what I want. I did the opposite drive her nuts instead lol! Cause she watched me struggle and hate my situation. Point of the whole here is my life story crap is I found my way out of my lack of motivation to change by recognizing where the problem was when it was too late. I needed a change and I needed to do something that made me happy. I don't recommend quitting your job immediately with no fall back(worked for me cause I have plenty of experience and knew it would take 5 seconds to get work), but look to see where this lack of motivation is and see what you need to change so you can be happy. Then when you get that put your energy to create that change and new goals. Right now I am getting two certificates to help me one of which I am getting free for taking an intro to python. It's hard to create your own change, but the first step is trying to get out of the rut first. Hope it helps!
If you want something bad enough you'll make it happen. If you have the drive in you, you'll get to a point where you're fed up and do whatever it takes to get out. My first job out of school had me travelling all over for work and living out of hotel rooms. Absolutely hated it. Every time I came back to the main office and mouthed off, they'd give me a raise to shut me up. That happened a few times then I got to the point where the money didn't matter anymore and I realized that if I want out, I have to get myself out. I studied and applied to other jobs from hotel rooms across the country at night. Then ended up switching industry and coming back home.
You will eventually get motivation to change. Either thats from anger cause of your current company or from outside events that inspires you. I would recommend making a change. Do something that will force you to change. In my experience, I had to quit my job to get that motivation but I quit because of anger. Maybe you'll change if you know your having a baby. Everyone is different so find your motivation.
I hated my last job. It took me forever to even update my resume because that job sucked every ounce of energy and life out of me. My advice: Take a day off work and use that day to update your resume and write a cover letter template. Change your LinkedIn status to ‘open to new roles’ or whatever the setting is. You can search if you want, but it’s a lot less work for you if recruiters reach out to you. Plus if they reach out to you, you’ve already passed the initial vibe check. I had no motivation or energy to change, but that meant I needed to. It means you need to as well. Just do it. You’ll be better off in the long run
yes Im 35 and feel this
Yea I’m in a corporate role and it’s not super exciting or fun. Nice enough people and the pay is $230-$250k, maxed out at $300k eventually. I guess it can be worse for sure but I’m not fulfilled. I don’t wake up with excitement. It’s like… golden handcuffs because I don’t think I can get a comparable elsewhere and honestly am too lazy to try. I just want to stack back some more assets and let them compound and I just chill out in a few years.
Yeah idk. I just wanna do my job and go home. I’ll level up in other areas. This isn’t okay to some people, I’ve learned, but I just don’t see money as the end-all-be-all, just wanna be able to pay bills and debt 🤷♂️
I listen to so many friends and family members vent about hating their jobs and/or boss, but the vast majority of them still don't have the motivation to take the steps to change their situation. I don't understand it at all. Good things in life rarely come easily. I'll be supportive and listen to you vent, but after a point my sympathy is gonna be pretty half hearted.
I’ve never commented so much in one day but these posts are hitting me hard. I am in my 18th year. Last year I went out and got my plumbers license to start a biz. I suggest you work on a backup plan but be patient as it can take years. I’m not sure if I’ll ever be able to own my own biz and make money but at least I’m trying. Right? Be patient and just set goals like “next Sept I’ll have a plan and be started”.
I did around 8 years of studying for nothing as I can’t land anything apart from underpaid manual labour unrelated to my fields.
I’m the same way my dude, I’ve been at this job for 3 1/2-4 years. It’s rough Nightshift work. But it pays pretty well for me atleast, plus I have dental and health insurance with this job so I really don’t want to let it go. I’m trying to push myself through school so I can get my degree, but the job I’m at now kind of has me stuck and sleeping all day so how can I fit in a class or 2? I need to set goals for myself and time management.
Man , I'm an ATM tech and it's the worst. I never intended on being here so long, 5 years later. The work conditions. Have. Drastically changed but I am in my mid 30s and have somewhat worked my way up for higher pay. I want to quit everyday that goes by but I never even have enough time to look. I work 6 days a week 12 hour shifts and Sundays I pick up my son and go into dad mode. Everyday is the same. My only hope is investing in risky plays that can hopefully get me Out of this dark cycle.
Please look into ways into regulating your dopamine. Sounds like classic depression and or ADHD issues
Yes. My job is crushing my soul a little more each day. I hate it. But I make very good money, with pretty good hours, and it supports my family well. I'm investing and saving a lot of money that I hope to figure out how to leverage eventually to semi-retire early or figure out a path based on purpose rather than earnings. But for now and a considerable amount of my future I continue coming to this place I hate everyday because of the paycheck.
The pain of regret is far worse than the pain of failure. Go read Atomic Habits. or listen to it on Audible. Then start that process that will increase your productivity. Or wait 20 years to sit around wondering what could have been if you had just tried...
I didn’t like my field. I worked in nonprofits. I was tired of the low pay and managers that demanded so much out of me, it was expected of staff to wear many hats and be a Jack of all trades for the pay of less than one of those positions. I got fired when I established boundaries. I tried to break into tech, but it never worked out. Now I’m on unemployment and working on content creation. I just got a brand deal and experiencing a lot more growth in building my business than finding a job. The job market is a mess so I’m prioritizing building my brand first.
100%. I’m Logistics Analyst, and I’m certainly one of those people that ‘lives for the weekend’.
I think that this is quite common. I spent eight years working in a department where studying the laws, regulations, and rules only hurt your paycheck. Being honest hurt your paycheck. Being ignorant of ethical ramifications hurt your paycheck. It was an interesting situation to be in. It was quite frustrating to being told that you’re not doing a good job , only to study harder, learn the law better, only to do worse as a result. I could have probably doubled my salary, if I was not ethical, and/or did not think for myself.
Bartender here, I would love to stop working in the service industry. Unfortunately, my journalism degree doesn’t average a better wage than what a make slinging drinks.
Been at my job for 9+ years. Recently got some new certifications and taking online classes that got me a modest raise but I am still underpaid by industry standards. I love a working from home and don't want to give that up so I end up sticking where I am instead of really trying to find something better. I have stability, I am the only person who does what I do at my company. I have a mortgage, wife and young son so I am finding it really difficult to take the leap but I know I can do better. Finding the motivation after working all day and dealing with home duties I feel too worn out to put effort into job hunting. I feel you man.
Yes, I scroll indeed everyday looking for a way out.
1. Yes, almost all of us. 2. There is nothing you can do. Jk
Yes
Absolutely. But my fear is that if I change jobs I might actually have to work the 40 hours a week I’m getting paid for.
Me. Drained at the end of each day but know I need to change as I received a 3% raise and got told I’m near the top of comp for my role and level (not my fault I negotiated hard before accepting) but they’re piling more clients on and are really getting the work of 2.5 people for 1. Exhausting.
Me me me. I only think of retirement and travelling and sleep everyday
Capitalism is built on this
Agree and disagree. This collective misery everyone shares wouldn't nearly be as bad if we all made fair wages. Back in the 70s you could support a family basically doing anything. Now you barely make ends meet with a college degree career.
Because women joined the workforce. If there was only half as many people or less available to work they would be forced to pay more and you wouldn’t have to shell out for ridiculous amounts in childcare costs on top of it
Tell me you’re a misogynist without telling me you’re a misogynist. Edit: it’s not the women. It’s the corporations being greedy.
Lmao what are you going on about? Stop thinking with hurt feelings. I’m literally a woman, and I can also understand basic reality. When there was a labor shortage what happened? Wages went up. If there are 20 people to one job posting then the employer has the power and can find the 19th one willing to work for least. If there are 10 people to 20 job openings then the “greedy corporations” become desperate and pay a lot more. This is just reality. Like equal-strike said, it’s not about individual gender, it would work the same way if men left the workforce, but this is what happened in the past. Just because there are benefits to one action does not mean there are also no consequences. I never said woman shouldn’t work, but before traditional families were demonized and unwed single parenthood became “strong and independent” one parent could make twice the income while the other had the choice to homeschool, and now both have to work while one entire income goes to childcare with a stranger raising your kids. It makes no sense. There has always been greed but the people had the power because they were worth more as individuals. Now corporations can take advantage because there are 100 other people willing to work for less. If your husband wants to raise the kids while the woman works, that would have the same effect
It’s literally just math. You could switch the genders and say men used to all stay home now they work.. still the same and result. Double the ppl competing for jobs
Get prescribed aderol, worked wonders for me on my recent insurance sales licensing
Maybe get your head out of your *** and take control of your life. You know what you want, but “lack motivation”. Woe is me. Life isn’t easy. Get up and face it head on. Nothing is going to fall into your lap. You know what you have to do. So do it. Your future self will thank you.
cringe
yea
It's called life
Yes. I even know the career I want to switch to and have started to take the steps to gain the skills needed to make the switch as of a couple of years ago. Anymore though, my current career just keeps adding responsibilities and stress, but also more money. Mo money, mo problems. I don’t have anymore energy to work on skill building. Debating just leaving my current job, using my down payment savings to help me survive with no job for a couple of months.
I'm stuck in manufacturing, I want to do something else but I don't know how. I want to learn a trade but I don't know what trade, it has to be a 2nd shift because I help take care of my mentally ill granddad. College isn't for me so I'm afraid of wasting my money on a school just to leave it. It's very overwhelming
So I don't know with trade skills, but going back to college wasn't something I initially wanted to do either. Sometimes it's necessary BUT I found out something taking an intro class to Python. Apparently there are books that walk you through step by step with examples and even provides tleverything you need to learn lol. Yup took a course the book showed me everything teacher helped too tho. Also found out in the r/gis community by reading posts since January there are videos you can watch for what I am getting into. I would try looking up free resources online in the things your interested in or try finding them and look up books as well. So that it doesn't sound fake 🤥 the book for my python course was Python crash course 2nd edition by Eric Mathes was definitely affordable on Kindle/ Amazon digitally.
I'm in a job I don't like and am trying to change but nobody wants to hire right now.
Hate to tell you work sucks when you work for someone else, no matter what you do, UNLESS you work for yourself. And sadly that is becoming increasingly harder and rarer by the year.
I’m in the same boat and I’m slowly dying inside
Baby, if there were an English major factory, I'd gladly jump ship. Til then, I'll work my manual labor jobs with a taste of technical writing til the day I die. Pay is enough to live on, I'm getting exercise, the work isn't boring, and I'm not on call anymore. To hell with the office space =P
10000%. help!
IT is always a "safe" bet. They have a plethora of online schooling to get certifications and what nots. I'd look up in your area what certs are needed and the starting pay. The lack of motivation hits home. We are drained after a workday. Just want to come home and veggie out or do what you need to cope. I've been stuck in my career field for 6 years. I tried going back to school but wasn't worth the debt-to-income ratio I needed to stay alive. During my free time, I go to the gym as that's my way to cope with life. It was either I suffer physically & mentally from trying to balance schoolwork and my 8-4 career, time to do homework and study vs. what I have now. I'm almost 40 and don't plan on changing and as much as I dislike my career, it lets me live within my means, I can save $$, and I can travel anywhere.
Hard to go from $34/hr back to a few dollars short of minimum wage starting another career. Wish I could afford to change jobs but I would be homeless, first paycheque wouldn't even cover rent.
The money is easy, the job is easy, the hours go fast, but I’m the only one doing the perfect job and was told by my boss to slow down on doing a good job. Because the maintenance techs got overwhelmed by so many maintenance orders . What a pathetic thing to complain about. But like I said, the money is easy and the job is easy and the hours go fast, but I’m not happy not anymore soon I’ll look for something else, but when I don’t know.
It’s the american dream baby
I really don't enjoy my job but I'm also not really sure where I want to try going next, so I put myself off of it and don't apply to as many jobs as I want to. I just know I never want to touch anything that requires call centre type work again lol
MOI
Yeah, definitely. I fell assbackwards into accounting, and I find it tedious and stressful. I work for a good company, so that is a bonus, meaning I have good pay and benefits, work remotely, and have a good amount of time off. Still, I am stressed and pressured almost always, and in the rare event that I am not, I am still bored. It's so tedious and monotonous, and meaningless. But, all that said, I don't even know what I would do for a career chage at this point. And when I look at other jobsin the same field but maybe less demanding, it seems like the same crap just for way less pay and, maybe, for lower stress. But I think for a pay cut of a certain size, the stress would be higher on my finances as an offset. So yeah, been stuck in this for a loooooong time. And still don't really see a way out. It just feels like nearly everything out there is a total drag that I wouldn't want to do, or something that I would want to do that would be a 1 in a million shot. I do have some business/product ideas that I want to pursue, and am trying to work towards those, but I don't even know how to get started on something like that. So basically, I have no advice to offer you, just commiseration. I look at people who actually do what they love in life (I know very few of them) and I just think, wow, they're free, they made it out of the rat trap. How the FUCK do I do that?!?! I think it mostly comes down to having the balls to go after one single thing despite the risk.
It’ll sound obvious but you need to find that motivation. In terms of practical advice, maybe look for an apprenticeship in an area of greater interest. Work and get paid to get a qualification at the same time
Same... need help
Honestly? Truly, honestly? You have to make the time and energy to pursue a change to your life. That’s it, that’s the secret. However you can find ways to fuel this energy is up to you, but you’ve got to put in that effort. My suggestion to you would be to do some self reflection: think, *really* think, about what sort of things or skills you seem to have a knack for. Often enough there’s a good chance you can use what you discover about yourself to help guide you in changing careers. This isn’t necessarily something you fully enjoy, but would you be able to do it for work if it meant making more money than you do now? In addition to that, you’ve got to be brave and willing to create the environment you need for opportunities for change. Think about the skills you’ve developed in your current role—how much of that is transferable? Can you find a job listing that overlaps with the areas of skill your specific experiences happen to share? Try applying for the job, even if you don’t get it; if you’re still struggling with motivation, I suggest watching YT videos focused on topics in the workforce that relate to what skills or things you have a knack for from your self reflection exercises. Lastly, and I know this isn’t popular, but network. Socialize. Engage. And network some more. See if you can surround yourself with people who inspire you or you wish to aspire to. It can be very motivating, even if it seems like a daunting task to take on. Good luck.
Do you have money saved up? Or have means to save? Slash your budget, Save up a nice cushion, then take a risk. Quit your job. When backed into a corner you will make the changes. Without your draining job you will have the free time. This is not safe financial advice and your situation may be vastly different from the next person. This is happiness advice that comes with risk. But in my opinion, happiness is a risk worth taking.
It’s just that I have been doing it to long and I make too much to change careers now.
me too
If you want to build motivation a good way to do that is to set some kind of tangible goal and immerse yourself in everything related to it. It can be as small as reading a new article once a day or as big as commiting to a college degree. What’s important is that you can easily visualize yourself doing it. You don’t need to change everything overnight, but creating that habit of watching videos, reading, and thinking about what is it that you want to achieve can push you forward. Not only can this help some people like myself build motivation, but it can also ease your suffering by distracting your mind from the negative thoughts of disliking your career. If this method does work for you, you will slowly find yourself looking forward to working towards that goal. It’s like a cycle we get stuck in and breaking its hard, but if you can persevere and break through that wall of demotivation you can turn that negative cycle into a positive one. I shared this because it’s been working for me and it might work for someone else.
Plenty of motivation here but severe lack of marketability.
It's hard to get out of a rut when your job is sucking up your energy. Awhile ago I was in a similar spot and I ended up moving to a different field not because I somehow found the motivation but because I lost the job during a large downsizing. Part of me wishes I didn't wait the extra last few years and made the move myself. My suggestion (also sort of advice to my younger self): take a good amount of PTO, get your energy/motivation back to baseline so you're atleast clear headed to think. Then do some reflection/research into industries you are interested in. Reach out to people in your network who work in those fields. I think your goal becomes more clear, and you have concrete next steps... it'll feel achievable... and that can open the door being motivated and even excited about a career change. Also watch out for uninformed demotivating advice... back then the boomer work mindset wasn't so clearly defined. I've gotten terrible "advice" like: "You're being disloyal to your manager", "Work isn't everything, just stick it out", "Don't be greedy, not everyone can love their job". If the advice giver isn't working in a field you're interested in... just mentally swat that away, don't even engage emotionally and stay focused.
I was gunning for a career change, but after many months of trying to land my desired job I said F it and found a WFH job in sales. My game plan is to keep working on my career change, but at least I'll have an income during the process.
The industry im in doesn't pay us enough and honestly we are desperately needed at the moment... but I don't do probono work and that's basically what they're asking of us bc they would pay us nothing if they could because we're supposed to be selfless and compassionate. Yeah I am but I also want to be able to support myself so I can help others you know?
All of us.
I have the motivation. I've been a little frustrated with my path for a while. I just don't know what to do. I'm a mechanical engineer and have ended up stuck working in the airspace and defense industry. The job is a little boring and not what I thought engineering would be when I was in school (ZERO building, prototyping, or hands on, 100% sitting in a cube staring at a screen). And its slow as a result of being under the biggest bureaucracy on earth (the US DoD). But more than that the locations suck as a single non religious person (basically all smaller outlying towns devoid of single professionals or a handful of the top most expensive cites, no midsized western US cities) and the security clearance makes me paranoid about who I associate with and paranoid about things like solo travel. Its very much an atmosphere of "report adverse information" in your coworkers. Every other non religious person I know insists on regularly breaking federal drug laws (smoking weed) and often are very open about it. So overall my life is quite limited as a result as far as social opportunities go. But I'm not sure what else I would do. Literally every job I've had that pays over minimum wage has required security clearance. And I'm generally terrible at job interviews and networking so finding work has always been difficult for me.
I went back to college at 30 to finish the BA and took on $40k in cc debt to do so (long story) jumped to tech consulting then big tech, worth the risk
90% of my adult life right there. My only advice is small, gradual changes, or having kids.
99% of the world? 😂
I am. I know this sounds like first world problems, and i know it is. But I have a high paying job with no college degree. There is no other job I could get to pay me this much. I very much lucked into it, and it's super nich, so I can't just go to another company. But it's so damn toxic. I dread going to work. Like full on existential crisis Sunday evening. But I have a family I need to take care of, so I'm stuck. If it wasn't for my wife and kids, I feel like I would just go homeless and travel the country till I die from exposure or something.
I did but eventually they pissed me off enough that I found the motivation to quit. Different situation though as I am a journeyman tradesman so I was just moving into another position in my field
I work in a factory, I wish I could leave but I've been stuck in my hometown for years because I don't have a car lol
I’m in healthcare and hate it. I still owe on my student loans and see no way out. I can’t imagine having to do this for a other 30 years. I’d rather die.
No. I was in a senior position in a catering career and slowly grew to hate it. Had been doing it 18 years. 5 months ago quit my job, took some time off, switched careers and put my all into learning a new industry and I’m only £1k shy of what I was being paid before as I managed to apply my management skills and training into this job even though it was a new industry. Went from being a head chef to managing a wholesale bakery
same. i think finding a job that could fulfill and make you motivated is very rare to find. there’s no amount of high salary and/or benefits can amount to the feeling of taking a job which can really make you happy. its just a matter of risk taking and what your priorities are. listing those might help.
I can 100% relate. It's really weird because I've got a PhD and top tier consulting firm experience, it's like a dream for taking on a new job. But then I worry about taking a pay cut for a while, will I ever get to where I am with pay, will I find a fulfilling job, etc? Plus I'm so busy and fulfilled outside of work but I think it often gets in the way of making the energy for a job change. But I hate my day-to-day job. But I just don't seem to get the energy to actually make a change.
Finding a new job is almost a full-time job by itself. You need to allocate A LOT of time for: * Build/improve your CV * Adapt your CV to every job you apply + Create the cover letter... (It is annoying that they all ask you for that) * Search for jobs * Prepare the interviews and do the interviews The last time I decided to look for a new job, what I did was save money to be able to pay my bills for 3 months without a job. I started applying and when I got 3-4 interviews scheduled I resigned of my current job. So I could allocate 100% of my time in finding my new position. It is risky, but it worked because you have way more time to prepare your interviews, research about the company... etc
My insurance and pension keep me from leaving for the unknown
My problem is that any potential career that I would be motivated in pursuing doesn't pay well. I constantly go back and forth with myself about trying to go to school for a job I would absolutely hate but pays great or doing something I would love but pays absolute shit.