What's worse is that, you feel totally guilty about even grumbling over this in the first place. You should be thankful that you even have a job, right? You know how many people in the world are struggling, and it's completely selfish to be wanting more "meaningful" work. I mean, buck up already! Who said your job was even supposed to provide that anyway, snowflake?
The good news is that you're not wrong to be searching for meaningfulness. And, you're not alone, either.
According to a recent survey of American workers, over 70% of wage earners are dissatisfied in their work lives. *record scratch* Yep, a whopping 70%! #notatypo
The truth is, if life were a cartoon and we could read everyone else's thought bubbles, they would look a whole lot like our own.
When we believe the myth that we're the only ones still figuring things out, it fosters a feeling of disconnection and isolation that robs us of life's joys. If you're feeling like you turned left when everyone else turned right, here are a few points to help you re-evaluate.
Be Skeptical of Social Media
It's 3:30 in the afternoon on a Thursday, I've already worked 60 hours this week to complete a project, my hair is in a greasy ponytail, and I'm wearing pajama pants and an old faded race t-shirt with a bleach stain across the front. But, according to Facebook, everyone else I know is either on their way to a swanky new tapas bar for happy hour with their tribe of work-BFFs, or heading out for a long weekend at the beach because their amazing boss gave them Friday off to enjoy the sunny weather.
Umm, false.
This is called confirmation bias, and if you're human, you have it. We all have the subconscious tendency to interpret new information as evidence, or confirmation, of our existing beliefs.
"I think thou dost protest too much." Research shows that people have a greater tendency to share information on social media when they desire feedback (or some other form of validation or belonging) from others, or when they are trying to sell an image that's different from their current reality. Translation: A lot of what we see online is designed to elicit a desired reaction.
Don't allow social media to become a substitute for genuine human interaction. Make an effort to connect with friends and colleagues on a personal level, and take turns trading real-life stories and getting caught up with the unedited version of your social network.
See Yourself As A Lifelong Learner
Being an entrepreneur, I am constantly in learning mode. Researching and creating content, keeping up with digital marketing changes, and updating my website are just a fraction of the areas I'm consistently working to improve.
I am quite certain that there will never be a day when I close up my laptop and say, "Welp. That's it. I've come to the end of internet, and I know how to do everything from now on. Time to go get some tacos."
There is always something new to learn, and anyone who's spreading rumors to the contrary is only trying to scam you.
What you're currently doing--in both your life and work--are experiences that add to your learning, just as much as anything else. It may not be what you ultimately want, or you might have bigger dreams than where you're currently at, and that's okay--it's still an opportunity to learn, even if the only thing you're learning is which path you don't want to take.
Stay In Your Own Lane
You've been putting in your time and climbing the corporate ladder, consistently gaining responsibility and increasing your income for years. You're a happy and satisfied employee. Then, you suddenly find out that the new guy that was just hired last week is making the same as you--a salary that took you years to earn--and all of the sudden, you become the "disgruntled" employee.
Turns out, comparison is an evolutionary tool--but it can also make us miserable.
The downside is that comparison has a way of destroying not only our happiness and satisfaction, but also our creativity and authenticity--two of the fundamental components of joy. Comparison leads us to a "better than" or "worse than" mentality that is corrosive to community and connection, and instead, fosters a culture of competition and jealousy.
Remind yourself that someone else's success is not your failure. Mindfully practice gratitude to reorient yourself toward what is good rather than letting comparison or envy block your view of your blessings.
Practice Self-Compassion
Here's the thing. Nobody has it all figured out. And, those that seem like they do, were almost certainly in your shoes at some point.
Dr. Kristin Neff is a professor at the University of Texas at Austin's department of educational psychology, and is also a leading researcher in the field of self-compassion. Her research shows that self-compassion is comprised of three elements: self-kindness, mindfulness, and common humanity.
That last one is especially tricky because it exists in tandem with the others. Common humanity is the knowledge that we are not alone. It is the understanding that our struggles and experiences are part of the shared human experience.
This understanding requires us to mindfully place our experiences into the larger perspective of others' experiences in a way that neither suppresses nor exaggerates what we're going through. It also means that we treat ourselves with understanding and warmth in the face of struggle--the same way we'd treat someone we love.
After all, shouldn't you, first and foremost, be someone you love?
Are you among the 70% of dissatisfied employees thinking about the possibility of making a change in your work life or starting your own business? Download my FREE Should I Stay or Should I Go workbook to help you make the decision that's best for you!
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