When you feel like you just don't want to do your job anymore, whether it's:
working on projects
attending meetings
completing daily tasks
being with the same people…
...don't just sit there battling the feeling, trying to muster up motivation, and quietly resenting your work.
Don't let yourself get away with broad, generalised statements like "I don't feel like working here anymore" or "I hate these meetings" or "this job is so stressful."
These statements are too vague and too big to tackle effectively.
Here's what to do instead:
1. Get specific about the problem
Put your brain to work to pinpoint exactly what it is about your job, or how you think about it, that is causing your "I don't want to" feeling.
If you don't do this, you'll miss crucial information about how to adjust your work to better align with your preferences and strengths.
A common thought pattern might be: "I want to do this kind of job, but not like THAT."
For instance, you might think:
"I don't want to work on projects like that."
"I don't want to attend meetings like that."
"I don't want to deal with managers that are like that"
Get curious about what "like that" means for you. Be specific.
What exactly is "that"? Make a list.
Consider the emotions, methods, energies, and assumptions involved.
2. Define how you want it to be
Ask yourself: "How do I want my work to feel, or be, instead?"
Don't jump ahead to the 'how' just yet.
Make a list of all the qualities and values that are important to you. These should feel natural, appealing, and aligned with who you are.
For example, you might say: I want my work to feel...
fun
collaborative
engaging
like it produces concrete results
If your brain says, "not stressful," go a step further. Don't leave it as a negative statement.
If it's "not stressful," what is it instead?
Make a list of positive words, feelings, and statements.
If it's not stressful, it is _________.
This might take some time to figure out, so be patient with yourself.
3. Commit
Commit to yourself: "I'm never going to do it [like that] because the way I am built, and the way I want to operate, are critical to my success and happiness!
I declare that I get to — no, I must — do it my way! [like this] instead!"
Once you've done this work, you might still have some questions... ("Okay, so how do I meet my financial requirements while fully honouring my energy levels and work preferences?")
But those questions are infinitely more useful than a vague "I don't want to do this job anymore," and
There is always an answer. None of this is rocket science, and all of this is entirely figure-out-able.
Sometimes, it means:
reconfiguring your relationship to your job
letting go of certain outdated ideas
building the capacity to sit with uncertainty temporarily so that you can discover a new answer, new clarity
This process might not always be comfortable, but it will always be more productive than the alternative.
If you need help accessing possibilities and solving problems, seek support from your community, mentors, or coaching resources, or contact me.
But do the work to get to HERE instead of staying in a vague, unproductive "I don't want to do this job anymore."