Job Post Spin off!

So I was talking with my BIL recently because I have been feeling very unhappy and unfulfilled at work and he had some good things to say.

I kept saying that I wish i could come home everyday so excited with what I was doing and inspired and loving my job. I feel like ideally, it SHOULD be that way ya know? I mean you spend enough time there and for a lot of jobs you have to spnd a butt load on an education so it should be great! But for me it's just not. To top it all off, DH and I are in the same field and he just ADORES his job. He comes home skipping and singing everyday. He wins awards, is asked to do special performances and don't get me wrong I am so thrilled for him but it is almost nauseating!

Anyway, BIL was saying that in reality 9 out of 10 people are like me and that DH is the weird exception. He says, ' I go to my 9-5 job to pay the bills. I do what I have to do and get out of there. BUT I put my passion into other things and THAT keeps me fulfilled.'

So ladies, do you agree with this? Disagree with this? What else do you put your passion into if you agree?

I thought these were interesting points and they really started to make me think in a new way about working lol.

Re: Job Post Spin off!

I do love my job, and I feel very lucky that I do. But overall, I think it's called WORK for a reason, you know? I work to live, not live to work and I'm happy about this!

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I think, more often than not, people do not LOVE their jobs.

Still doesn't make me feel any better, though.

I feel the same as you in that I want to love my job and be inspired by it, and come home in a good mood. I just don't know what to do that will make me feel that way.

Re: Job Post Spin off!

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Posted by MrsDtoBe09

I do love my job, and I feel very lucky that I do. But overall, I think it's called WORK for a reason, you know? I work to live, not live to work and I'm happy about this!

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This is exaclty what I was going to say.

I work to live and not live to work.

Re: Job Post Spin off!

Your BIL totally has a point. I am kind of in his school of thought. I go to my job 9-5, get my job done, then come home. I work so that I can afford to do things I love in life...like spend time with my friends and family, traveling, eating out, shopping, going to museums and zoos, buying gifts for my nephews, etc. That's not to say I don't sometimes enjoy what I am doing at work, but it is not exactly a passion.

I still think that if you are absolutely MISERABLE, you should find something else that you can at least tolerate. But I would guess most people aren't lucky enough to absolutely love their jobs and have a passion for it. Those are the lucky ones. But the rest of us can just focus our happy thoughts on the things to come AFTER work and on the weekends!

Re: Job Post Spin off!

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Posted by julesrbf

I think, more often than not, people do not LOVE their jobs.

Still doesn't make me feel any better, though.

I feel the same as you in that I want to love my job and be inspired by it, and come home in a good mood. I just don't know what to do that will make me feel that way.

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That's how i feel..I don't know what I SHOULD be doing ya know?

It's weird because DH says (and I;m not trying to toot my own horn...you know im super insecure about everything! lol) 'You are so good at it, your principal loves you, the kids and parents love you what's not to love?'

And I feel like just because you are decent at something doesn;t mean you alway swant to do it ya know? I said to him 'You're good in math but do you want to do algebra problems all day?'

I wonder for me if it is that I'm not feeling teaching or feeling the age group I am in. I figure that I spent so much money one degrees that i need to explore some other options within the field before I make a run for it!

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i agree with your BIL to a certain point. I spent so many years and a LOT of money on my education, i feel like i should enjoy what I do.

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i agree...

i wish i could disagree and say i love my job and i love working and blah blah blah...
but i do it cuz i have to not cuz i want to! or enjoy doing it!

and i have no time to put my passion into anything else! working two jobs takes up most of my times, and the rest of my time im too exhausted to think about anything else!

i would love to do something with photography if i had the time...its obvious i love taking pictures, but i would really like to turn that into something and learn stuff and get really good at it. but no time...

Re: Job Post Spin off!

Lauren, I want to add that although I know you're not making any rash decisions I think lots of teachers always feel like the grass is always greener - they could be doing something else that they'd love or they could be teaching in a better place that would make them feel more inspired/happy/ whatever they're looking for.

My own sister is the type to always look for something new...she was a drama major in college, then went for her masters in education then decided that she wanted to be a nurse and now she's a nurse and she complains about that.

I really agree with Brad that you have to find your own happiness outside of work. Also, be thankful that we don't have ridiculously long hours - imagine how much more you'd hate working if that were the case.

Do you know how many little ones go home every day SO EXCITED about the song they learned with you? Do you know how many of them teach the songs to their younger siblings who aren't in school yet and just can't wait to have Mrs. Drinkwater one day so that they can learn these cool things? You are making a huge difference in so many kids' lives - how many professions can say that?

I hope you find what you're looking for!

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2 months ago, if you asked me - i would have said i hated my job..i was miserable.
But then a coworker got laid off and now, my attitude has changed. I still dont love my job, but i appreciate the fact that i have a job much more.
And seeing as though i dont know what would make me happy in the workplace, this is okay for now.

I go home from work smiling because I'm going home - not because i had a great day at work.


I think my ultimate goal is to just be a stay at home mom And who knows, maybe ill start my own business out of the house

Re: Job Post Spin off!

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Posted by MrsDtoBe09

Lauren, I want to add that although I know you're not making any rash decisions I think lots of teachers always feel like the grass is always greener - they could be doing something else that they'd love or they could be teaching in a better place that would make them feel more inspired/happy/ whatever they're looking for.

My own sister is the type to always look for something new...she was a drama major in college, then went for her masters in education then decided that she wanted to be a nurse and now she's a nurse and she complains about that.

I really agree with Brad that you have to find your own happiness outside of work. Also, be thankful that we don't have ridiculously long hours - imagine how much more you'd hate working if that were the case.

Do you know how many little ones go home every day SO EXCITED about the song they learned with you? Do you know how many of them teach the songs to their younger siblings who aren't in school yet and just can't wait to have Mrs. Drinkwater one day so that they can learn these cool things? You are making a huge difference in so many kids' lives - how many professions can say that?

I hope you find what you're looking for!

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This made me cry. Thanks Angela!

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I set up Blackberry & Cell phone accounts... there is definitely no 'satisfaction' in my job...

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I know I can't end up in a job that I dont' enjoy at least somewhat...if I have to spend 40 hours a week somewhere I have to be able to enjoy myself there.

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I dunno, I think it goes hand in hand for me. I don't wake up dreading to go to work, but I definitely do fill fulfilled at the end of the day. I do my job very well, just paid well and I love the flexibility. However, I recently started my own business and this is what makes me happy.

eta: If I was miserable everyday then I would consider changing jobs. But I definitely agree with your BIL and that other things outside of work will make us happy. Its about quality of life and living it to the fullest.

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I think your BIL is right and that is why (being that I just graduated with my MS), I noticed that more than half my graduation class was on their second career.

So what does inspire you? What would make you have that happy feeling at the end of the day?

Angela is totally right by the way cause I can tell you that Mrs. Kauffman taught us the wheels on the bus in Kindergarten and that was my jam!!!!

DH just said to me last night 'What do I want to be when I grow up?' I think that's a bettering yourself question and is absolutely relevant. I guess what I'm saying is find it, and go for it ya know