I grew up constantly being told that I needed to go to school so I could get a ‘proper’ job, but what I viewed as proper jobs were not things that excited me. Dreading Monday mornings and glorifying Friday afternoons is the way we have been ‘conditioned’ to get through life. But I don’t like it. Not at all.
When I was around 12 years old I told my dad that by the time I was an adult, I would have found a way to make sure I didn’t live my life in the way in which I was conditioned to believe it should be lived. I vowed that I wasn’t going to spend my years putting hard work into a system that gave me a basic and unfulfilling life in return. We weren’t born to survive- this concept seemed stupid to me considering that death is inevitable. I believed that I was born to live. I still do, the only problem is that I have officially been an adult for a number of years now and my solution to this problem that everyone just seems to have accepted is non-existent.
So instead of accepting defeat, I did some thinking. Maybe the system is broken. But this system has been in place since time began. Surely, if it was truly broken then someone would have done something about it by now. I’d like to think that I am an intelligent and forward thinking individual, (you are allowed to disagree), but I can guarantee that I’m not the first to have thought that there was more to life than a 9 to 5. So maybe, just maybe, the system isn’t broken, just heavily flawed. Maybe it’s possible to have a 9 to 5 and feel fulfilled everyday- looking forward to Monday just as much as the weekend. This is referred to as job satisfaction and to many, this comes with a successful career.
As a result, I have since redefined what a proper job means to me. A proper job is one that gives you satisfaction. This definition has nothing to do with status or titles as we saw in Part 1.
Since this is something that affects everyone, I went ahead and asked people what they looked for in a career. Here are the responses:
The Top 5 most common factors for a successful/fulfilling career:
- Good Pay
- A Variety of tasks
- Having an impact in the industry/community
- Enjoying the daily tasks- work that makes you #Schmile !
- Flexible working hours
Other points raised included:
- Challenging work
- Job security
- Location
- Human interaction-networking opportunities
- Good working relationships
- Competitive environment for motivation/self-improvement/development
- Degree relevance
- Travel opportunities
- Self-management
- Opportunities for creating new ideas
- Emphasis on natural talents
We want good pay so we can buy nice things. A variety of tasks to prevent the boredom of doing mundane and repetitive things. We want to have an impact in this world because we want to help people- why dedicate our time and most of our lives to something that doesn’t benefit anyone? Most importantly, we want to be happy whilst at work because we want to be happy in life in general and we want flexible hours so that we don’t have to squeeze social activities into 48 hours at the weekend as this is never enough!
There was a period where I felt like a proper job couldn’t do such things for me, but through experiences, I’ve learnt that it is, in fact, possible and I cannot settle for the alternative. We shouldn’t give up hopes of striving for our dream jobs!
I would also encourage you to talk to as many people as you can that are already in the workforce- when I sent this message around I received a lot of encouraging words from older relatives. Even whilst on my industrial placement, I was always asking colleagues what inspired them to be where they are and how they feel they have benefitted from it. Get to know what the people around you are doing; sometimes it’s not the job itself that will make you happy but what you get out of it!
All the best,
brilliant read Tisha! The perspective is fresh
Thank you! Appreciate the support as always!💙
Good perspective. I think that most millennials want to do something that’s meaningful to them while other generations were probably taught to think that “you have to do it to survive”. I like that you suggested speaking to others. I’m usually one of the youngest at my job and a lot of people work and aren’t happy and don’t think they can do anything else. It’s kinda sad…
I completely agree- it’s difficult for the older generation to accept that survival now comes in many more shapes and forms. Have you asked why? That’s definitely sad, wanna identify the issues before you end up stuck in the same position. Thank you for reading!💙
As I’m from a similar background I completely agree. The problem is many people think they’ll resolve all the core aspects of a “proper job” at once. In reality and most of the time, you’ll have to put one check mark after another.
A very valid point! It takes time, effort and perseverance! Thank you for reading 😊
Great post! This is very inspiring to many. I am a dream chaser but as an adult, I see a lot of people who are burnt out or uninspired and allow their dream to go ignored.
Thank you so much for reading! This is honestly one of my biggest fears- but I believe in keeping the vision clear! x
This was insightful. And helpful. Amazing.
Thank you so much!
You know, all is this and more has been buzzing through my mind since starting my first job. Salary is important, as it helps to give some stability. I DEFINITELY agree that interaction is important. I don’t get a lot of meaningful interaction during the day given my job duties, so that is a bit draining at times. Opportunities to grow are also great – good benefits.
I could go on and on about the factors you’ve listed. All in all, I’m in most agreement that I want to live, not slave to this system. Fantastic read!
I’m so glad you can relate- I think I picked up on this from your last couple posts too. At a younger age, I don’t think it’s too bad to ‘settle’ for stability, we just need to remain focused on what it is we want in the long term! All the best! Thanks for reading as always 💙
Great post! I’m right with you; I think there’s so much to life than a typical 9-5. But, I think it’ll take me a while to get to that stage of life where I can make money off of what I”m passionate about.
I think if it’s worth it it doesn’t matter how long it takes! Thank you for reading 💙
I loved this ! I’m currently caught between working a 9-5 job that I know I”ll hate and blogging full time and doing what I love. I”m glad someone else understands the struggle.
I think there are more people that understand it than you think 😂Do what makes you happy and be financially sensible would be my advice! All the best!💙
Great perspective on this. I’ve always been told what degree I had to get in order to get the proper job. But I believe the proper job should be something you enjoy
Exactly! Thank you so much for reading! Glad you enjoyed it 💙
It seems so many just live to work versus doing some work to live more happier and fulfilling lives.. Like you said, that is not what we were put here for. However until everyone can get that dream job, we just have to make the most out of our situations and use them as stepping stones.
Totally agree! Using them as stepping stones is the perfect way to put it, as long as we remember that it’s not the final destination! Thank you so much for reading 💙
This was a great read!! I am currently, like many others, striving for the perfect job that hits all these points. While looking I will remain optimistic and thankful for what I have now!
http://vanityredefined.com
Glad you enjoyed it! Optimism is key! Thank you for reading 💙
I love this post!! I def agree a 9-5 to just isn’t something that is for me unless it’s something that I am passionate about. I have been trying to create my own opportunities so that way I won’t have to go back to a soul sucking job! I Hated that my last job didn’t offer me much flexibility and if I took off a day my check would be shot.
Thank you for reading! I hope you find something that works for you!💙
This is so true. I’ve been struggling with the idea of having a proper career vs. doing what I love. What I love has won out in the end, but so many people judge based on that–and it can get rough at times.
People will judge regardless 😂glad you find what makes you happy and you’re working at it! Thank you for reading 💙