“Hi, I’m Nada…. Nice to meet you. What do you do?” Whatever the answer is, my response is ALWAYS, “Are you happy?”
Why? Well because literally everyone I know is complaining about their job. I myself have never lasted more than eight months in a job and starting from the first three months, I was always looking for a new one.
Our jobs are not just jobs anymore, but rather something that consumes a large part of our lives. We’re supposed to work seven or eight hours a day, but who ever goes home on time? Instead of going home at five or six, we finish at seven or eight and sometimes even 10 pm.
And no one can do anything but complain, because companies know that there’s an unemployment crisis. In other words, if you’re not willing to put up with the terms of the job, they’ll get someone to replace you. Yes, it’s that easy!
In my opinion, the root of the question goes back even earlier than current circumstances. We graduate from high school at the age of 16 or 17 expected to choose a field we think we’re interested in, but in reality, we have absolutely no idea.
Most of the time, our parents try to convince us to study a certain field, whether to follow in their footsteps and take over the family business or just because it’s prestigious within the society we live in.
But who are we kidding? A large percentage of people discover in their first year that they don’t even like what they’re studying. Unfortunately, only a few of us have the patience and guts to go after the our own happiness.
Why are we in such a hurry to grow up? To graduate from a field we don’t like and get a job we hate and be depressed for our entire lives?
Having switched universities twice, starting all over again, and having five jobs in three years, I think I’ve found a few tips to tell you.
1. You won’t always make the right choices
We tend to forget that we’re human and that it’s OK, and in fact inevitable, that we make mistakes. We’re not psychic, we can’t foresee the future or know what we’ll want in a few years down the line. So why do we have to decide?
Ideally, it would be great if you found yourself with your entire career planned out a young age, but the beauty of being young is that it’s OK to start over… It really is.
Forget about society, your parents or what everyone tries to tell you, because you’re the only person who will be paying the price. Would you rather lose a few years (where you’ll gain a lot of experience and find out a lot about yourself) or spend the rest of your life depressed because you made a decision when you were 16?
2. Don’t be afraid to quit
I hate the word quitting, or quitters in general, but here, it is different. When you’re not happy where you are, whether in university or at work, it is important to know that you’re not glued to that place.
Yes, there is a lack of jobs and you shouldn’t leave until you find a new one (to be on the safe side), but if you’re really unhappy, it is time to call it quits. And just because you couldn’t find common ground with this job, it doesn’t mean you’re a quitter. In fact, you have more guts for being able to identify the problem and do something about it than most people.
3. Don’t give up too easily
Don’t get me wrong, you should never just let go of anything without trying to make it work first. First impressions don’t always last, so maybe the field you thought you hated in theory is actually quite interesting once in practice.
Always make a list of pros and cons. When the pros are three pages longer, you know it’s time to leave, but until then, hold through and try to pinpoint what it is that’s bothering you.
4. Communicate
When a thought starts forming in our head and we let it grow, it consumes us. If you have a problem at work that’s bothering you, take action and try to fix it before it makes you hate the job.
Sometimes, the solution is in our hands and all we need to do is communicate.
5. Do something on the side
Making your job your entire life is depressing. I know that sometimes we don’t have the energy, time or money to do anything else. But really all you need is a little perseverance and time management.
Try to do something you love, start a small business of something you’re passionate about, or even just exercise! As soon as you start setting up your routine, you’ll feel more alive and, for some weird reason, more satisfied with your job.
WE SAID THIS: Don’t miss 12 Jobs We Will Never Understand in Egypt.