If you knew that today was your last day on earth, would you spend that day on the job?
Probably not. Why? Because jobs suck. In here or six good reasons why:
1- They buy you at wholesale and sell you at retail. That’s right, the service you provide on the job is worth more than you are paid. You probably already suspect this. You can, of course, go in plead for a raise, but even if you survive the humiliation and get one, it probably won’t even keep up with inflation. Here is a fact to consider: you don’t get paid what you’re worth but rather what you’ll take.
2- They are too risky. This isn’t big news. The job market is less stable than ever. There are people who can do your job, do it better, and do it for less. The boss or other employees may not like you. Isn’t it a little unsettling to know that personalities and politics on the job could affect you and your family’s future? Security and stability just aren’t part of the job equation any more.
3- You give up freedom. Time freedom. Time is the one thing we don’t get any more of. Just how much time to do you actually spend on the job? How about time getting to and from the job? How about time wasted worrying about things from the job when you’re not at the job? Are there other priorities in your life. Family? Friends? Hobbies? Interests? Things to see? Things to do? Things to learn? Ways to grow? What are the truly important priorities? Usually, it’s not the job.
4.- The social life isn’t the best. Sad but true, the social environment on the job tends to be counterproductive to your mental and emotional health. At water coolers and at time clocks everywhere, conversations tend to be negative, whiny, and trivial. There are people everywhere who hate their job, hate their life, hate their wife, hate the rut….. and just can’t wait to share this with you. Unfortunately, if you lay down with dogs you’ll get up with fleas. Do you really want to be part of that kind of “ultimate negative lifestyle” thinking?
5- Your boss hates you. That’s right. Your boss is afraid you won’t do your job. Or maybe that you will do so well that you’ll take their job. Your boss thinks that the job is more important than your life. Your boss thinks that if you actually do get a raise, its money out of his or her pocket. Your boss thinks that he or she is better than you. Who gives them the right to tell you what to do, and what to think, and how to act, and how much you’re worth?…. You do.
6- It’s a pyramid and there is no room at the top. That’s right…. it’s a pyramid, and the top spots are full. Most companies, especially larger companies, have very limited room for advancement. That’s because the people up the ladder are usually well versed in stifling competition for their jobs, and are very good at job justification (at your expense). It’s an old saying: if you ain’t the lead dog, the view is always the same.
If this view group of the job market seems harsh, or makes you a little defensive, or makes you mad, that’s good. The point of this post is simply to get to thinking.
Yes, that there are good jobs, (and there will always be people to fill them) but is that what you really want?
Of course, there are some very good reasons to get a job. That’s for the next post….
