Reflection Time: How Happy are You With Your Job?

Boy, it's been an interesting few weeks. No after-work meetings to attend. No more dreadful commute to work every day. And no boss looking over your shoulders. And yet, you're just as unhappy in your job as you were before the coronavirus pandemic hit. I get it. I was once where you are.

I have a secret that I rarely share.

Years ago, I was at the height of my career (so I thought). I was heading up the HR function for a fast-growing overnight delivery business, where I was able to make a massive difference in a short period of time. On the outside, everything looked awesome—Great job, surrounded by terrific co-workers. On the personal side of things, I had a solid group of friends and was a proud homeowner.

Inside, I was miserable. I no longer was having fun at work, even though I was supposed to be. I seriously considered throwing in the towel and finding myself a new career. Of course, I had no idea what a new job might look like, so I hung on as long as I could.

Eventually, I engaged an executive coach who worked with me to identify what gave me joy in my life and what sucked the energy out of me. My coach helped me garner the courage to make a bold move. I quit my job and started my consulting practice.

That was twenty-two years ago. I’d be lying if I said every day of this journey has been fun. It hasn’t. However, I’ve had considerably more fun days than miserable moments, so I think I’m doing pretty darn well on the happiness scale.

What about you?

Are you happy at work?

I mean, are you having fun?

Or are you marking time with the hope that a headhunter will swoop you up and take you out of your misery?

I’m here to tell you that hope is not a strategy.

• Find a mentor to help you sort through the fact and fiction you keep telling yourself at work.
• Seek guidance from a colleague, who belongs to the same professional organization as you.
• Or do what I did. Engage a coach to help you gain the clarity you need, to get yourself out of the fog.

If this virus has done nothing else, it has shown us how fragile life truly is. Are you achieving your hopes and dreams? Or are you merely marking time?

Here’s to finding a clear path to a joyful next chapter!

? 2020, Matuson Consulting.

Looking for a coach or mentor? Let’s talk! E-mail me at [email protected] and let's start a conversation.