Good morning! In this fourth installment of "Getting Unstuck - Reigniting Your Life" we will exam some of the most common things that keep us "stuck" while at work. Since many of us spend a third of our lives at work, not feeling fulfilled in this area of our lives can cause a lot of stress and frustration.
There are really only four ways of generating income:
1. Employee - Has a job, exchanges time for money
2. Self-Employed - Owns a job, exchanges time for money
3. Business person - Owns a system, exchanges value for money
4. Investor - Has money working for them
In a recent worldwide study done by the Gallup polling organization, they found that there are twice as many people who dislike their jobs, versus people that like their jobs. And since the majority of the world's workers are employees, that's what we'll focus on here.
For the bulk of my life I've been an employee so I know exactly how many of you feel. We go to a job we hate, to make money to spend on things we don't really need, and then need to go back to work again, to get some more money. Now don't get me wrong, I know you are spending money on many things you need, especially if you have children, but the advertising world keeps bombarding us with ads that tell us we won't feel good unless we buy their product. And for the most part it works. Well, the buying part, not the feel good part that is.
So how can we ever attain that feeling of fulfillment? That feeling that we have performed a valuable service and have been fairly compensated? Each of us has two choices: to live our lives by design, or by default; to live intentionally, or by accident. Successful people actively create their lives while others are created by their lives, passively waiting to see where life will take them next. If you're in the latter of those two groups right now that's OK, I'm going to give you a few suggestions to help you take more control of your work life.
First of all, never, ever feel like you have no chance to advance in your work, even if you are working where the wages are small and the cost of living high. Even though you may hate your job now, it's the one you presently have so that's where you'll have to start. To succeed in this you'll need to adopt a positive attitude and good work ethic.
Step 1 - Do all the work you can do, every day, and do each piece of work in a perfectly successful manner. Caveat: Don't try to do more than fill your present role with a plan on pleasing your employer; do it with an idea of advancing yourself.
Step 2 - Concentrate on being creative instead of competitive. Create new ways of thinking about your job and being more productive. Don't bother with what your co-workers are up to, be concerned with your work.
Step 3 - Visualize the new position or job you wish to attain. 5-10 minutes every day is all it takes. Visualize yourself working in your new digs and talking with your new co-workers. Feel what it would be like, smell the smells of your new environment.
Once you have that vision, keep being the best you can possibly be at your present position and soon your employer, and others will notice that you have become too "big" for your present position. This will prompt your present employer to find you a new position or other employers will notice your confidence and get the overall feeling of "advancement" from you when you do decide to apply elsewhere.
There is nothing in your current circumstances or the business you are currently in that can keep you down, or hold you back. If you do all you can do every day at your present position, concentrate on being creative instead of competitive, and visualize the position you want, you will succeed. Whether it's at what you do now, or at something new, you will succeed.
I am living proof this method works. I was sick and tired of the job I was in and decided to do something about it. Actually, I've used the three steps listed above a few times now, and they have never failed me.
If your feeling "stuck" in your present position at work, give these steps a try. It worked for me, and I know it will work for you.
Today's task is to write the numbers 1 through 10 horizontally across a piece of paper. Example,
1 ,2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 ,9, 10.
This will be your "happiness" rating of your present employment. Circle the number you feel represents how happy you are with your current employment, 1 being the least happy, and 10 being the most happy. Be honest with yourself, this is no time to fudge the numbers. If you are a 9 or 10, you don't need my help, you are already awesome!
If you are anything less than that (especially 5 or under), you are still awesome, but should seriously think about adopting the system I laid out above.
You've been listening to the Soul Mechanic, and as always, it has been my pleasure to serve you. Sending you Love, Happiness, and Abundance.
See you tomorrow!