A listener feels like he’s gotten trapped by getting a paycheck. He says, “I took the path of least resistance which has led me down a perilous pike of disappointment and despair. As a direct result of our financial obligations, I absolved myself of the freedom to easily pursue my dreams for the oppressive restraints of debt. The merry-go-round of my professional life has left me no farther than a few steps from where I got on and now with a weak stomach.” Let’s discuss what to do if you have similar feelings.
Episode #815 January 28, 2022
Hi this is Dan Miller – and yes you’re listening to the 48 Days Radio show – where each week we take 48 minutes to dive into real-life questions about finding your passion, deciding what kind of life you want to live – and then finding or creating work that allows you to show up every day, excited to be able to do something that is meaningful, fulfilling – and profitable. This is where normal, indecision and ambiguity come to die. Welcome to the 48 Days Radio Show.Questions:
In addition to the Great Resignation what is another silent form of resignation?
The lead-in question on the information requested when I coach someone personally is this: “Briefly describe your current work situation.” Here is a response I received: “Antithetical to my personal and professional expectations. Unfulfilling on multiple levels: Lack of meaning and purpose; a myopic pursuit of the almighty dollar; a parasitic and never ending voyage into the shallow waters of avarice.” Wow – what a powerful and eloquent statement of being off track. And of the understanding that money is never enough compensation for investing one’s time and energy. The dictionary defines “avarice” as extreme greed for wealth or material gain. This young man continued: “Because of the necessity and immediacy of my situation…I took the path of least resistance which has led me down a perilous pike of disappointment and despair. As a direct result of our financial obligations, I absolved myself of the freedom to easily pursue my dreams for the oppressive restraints of debt. The merry-go-round of my professional life has left me no farther than a few steps from where I got on and now with a weak stomach.” Feeling trapped by the realities of life, he felt blocked from any attempts of following his true passions. Incidentally, he had joined a very successful family business where he was well-liked and expected to move up quickly. Fortunately, new possibilities are possible. We mapped out a process for redirection and an immediate plan for expression of his very impressive writing skills. He can hike, run a marathon, study fossils with his kids and get involved in a book club. Life does not have to be put on hold. There are always ways to make deposits of success in areas deemed important. There are few obstacles beyond those existing in our minds, if we are creative in looking for solutions. And remember to enjoy the journey, starting with today. Success is not a future event – it is the “progressive realization of worthwhile goals.” Thus, either you are successful today or you are not. I trust you’re not feeling trapped in the “shallow waters of avarice.” Do something noble, purposeful and fun today!Why are companies looking for “pre-quitting” behaviors?
Companies are starting to look for “pre-quitting behaviors,” including:- Their work productivity has decreased more than usual.
- They have acted less like a team player than usual.
- Have been doing the minimum amount of work more frequently than usual.
- Less interested in pleasing their manager than usual.
- Less willing to commit to long-term timelines than usual.
- Exhibited a negative change in attitude.
- Exhibited less effort and work motivation than usual.
- Exhibited less focus on job related matters than usual.
- Expressed dissatisfaction with their current job more frequently than usual.
- Expressed dissatisfaction with their supervisor more frequently than usual.
- Left early from work more frequently than usual.
- Lost enthusiasm for the mission of the organization.
- Shown less interest in working with customers than usual.
- They’re Ultra Efficient
- They’re More Active on LinkedIn
- They Have Great Teeth
Does your company need a “dream manager”?
I have a book recommendation for you: The Dream Manager by Matthew Kelly The fictional company in this remarkable book is grappling with real problems of high turnover and low morale so the managers begin to investigate what really drives the employees. What they discover is that the key to motivation isn’t necessarily the promise of a bigger paycheck or title, but rather the fulfillment of crucial personal dreams. They also learn that people at every level need to be offered specific kinds of help and encouragement or our dreams will forever remain just dreams as we grow dissatisfied with our jobs and lives. Beginning with his important thought that a company can only become the best version of itself to the extent that its employees are becoming better-versions-of-themselves, Matthew Kelly explores the connection between the dreams we are chasing personally and the way we all engage at work. Taking on the growing problem of employee disengagement, Kelly explores the dynamic collaboration that is unleashed when people work together to achieve company objectives and personal dreams. With a new outlook on their work and a desire to reorient their lives, many workers have found a new boss who gives them autonomy and flexibility: themselves. During the pandemic, fear of redundancy due to shutdowns drove a lot of talented people to start side hustles. Census Bureau data shows that Americans filed paperwork to start 5.4 million businesses in 2021— far exceeding the record of 4.4 million set in 2020. While some budding entrepreneurs ultimately quit their day jobs, far more do not. They simply shift time and creative energy away from their salaried positions — a more under-the-radar sort of brain drain on companies. Employees are moving away from “living to work” as their guiding ethos and embracing “working to live.” In the original version of 48 Days to the Work You Love I said I want to show you how to plan your work around the life you want to live, rather than the normal way of planning your life around your work.Are you still sitting on that nail?
An excerpt from Rudder of the Day Are you tolerating a familiar pain that is prompting you toward a new and unrealized opportunity? I heard a story from my friend Bob about an old dog lying on the front porch. A neighbor approached the porch and could hear the dog softly moaning. He asked his friend why the dog was whimpering. And the owner said: “He’s lying on a nail.” Predictably the man said, “Well, why doesn’t he move?” To which the owner replied, “I guess it doesn’t hurt quite that much yet.” About a year after sharing this story in my weekly newsletter I had an attorney call me. He said he was that old dog – very much in pain about his daily activities but the pain was still almost tolerable. The image was so indelibly etched in his mind that he started every day identifying with that dog. We discussed his situation, his clear sense that he was off track and the necessity for dramatic change in his life. He was seeing his family, his health, and his peace being eroded by his commitment to keeping things the same. Yet six months later I am still waiting for him to begin the process of introspection and exploration of new options.If you don’t have a vision for the future, then your future is threatened to be a repeat of the past. — A. R. BernardThe comfort of familiarity can be so alluring; even if it is not the best. I see countless people droning through their mundane lives, hanging on to their comfortable misery and blocking the thrill of new and unrealized but available successes. I guess a lot of people are like that old dog. They moan and groan about their situation, but don’t do anything. How bad does the pain have to get before you get up and do something else? In the workplace today there are incredible opportunities. If you are in a negative environment, one that causes you pain and anguish, maybe it’s time to take a fresh look at yourself, define where you want to be, and develop a clear plan of action for getting there.
Quotation:
[click_to_tweet tweet=”“He who has learning without imagination has feet but no wings.” Stanley Goldstein @48daysteam” quote=”“He who has learning without imagination has feet but no wings.” Stanley Goldstein”]Resource:
Our 11 Eagles Nests in the 48 Days Eagles Community – Check them out here Here’s that Debt-Free Scream I shared on YouTube – check it out hereSummary:
- Check to see if you’re showing signs of “pre-quitting”
- Ask yourself if you’ve planned your work around the life you want to live.
- Are you the ‘dream manager” for your own life?
- Check out our Eagles Nests to see if one is a fit for you
How You Can Help The Show
If you find this podcast helpful, please Subscribe and Review it on iTunes. It’s a great way to support the show and only takes a few seconds.
CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE AND REVIEW
Have a Question for Dan?
Submit your questions at www.48days.com/askdan
If I use your question we’ll send you an autographed copy of 48 Days to the Work and Life You Love
