This was my dream job so why am I miserable?

In college I studied an organization that was seen as the pinnacle of success and innovation. I couldn’t believe it when I got an internship there, and then ultimately a full time job, I’d made it! As a high achiever I was so excited and thrilled to make it to such a reputable organization.

Unfortunately, that excitement didn’t last that long. Like many people coming out of college, I felt like I was highly trained in all the wrong things. I had no idea how to take meeting notes, use the printer, set up meetings, or manage up.?

In addition to feeling like I was scrambling, I was also not happy. While there were a lot of things I loved about working there, I was not enjoying it, and I couldn’t figure out what was going on. This was my dream job, so why was I so unhappy??

Looking back I can see some really basic things that were off. At the most basic level, I was in a cubicle with no windows and often didn’t have control of my day-to-day schedule. I worked really long hours (in retrospect, really didn’t need to), and I spent most of my time on administrative tasks and spreadsheets. I’ve come to love a good spreadsheet and getting things done, but as a largely empathetic, creative person that values independence and loves being outside, I was suffering.?

Can you relate??

I see this happen a lot with my clients, they work so hard for something in particular, not realizing that that isn’t actually what is going to give them happiness. In a previous post, I talk about how external pressure can play into this as well.?

The biggest clue for this as I move forward in my life is when it’s just one thing I’m focusing on. If it’s just one company, just a salary, a title, etc… that I, or my clients want, I start to get suspicious of what might be happening underneath that desire.?

?Is it security? Recognition? Fun? Creativity??

I can see that in college I figured the best organization = best job. When in reality I hadn’t thought at all about what the day-to-day work would actually be like and if it would make me happy and satisfied each day.?

Don’t make the same mistake I did, take some time to dig in and understand all the things you need to be happy and all the different jobs that could bring you that.?

Are you feeling frustrated in your work and unsure what to do next?

I hear you — take my?10 day challenge?to get unstuck and create what’s next.