ajcjobs > BlogBreak > Archives > 2006 > November > 07 > Entry
If I didn’t have to work…
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Having the attitude of “take this job and shove it” is not usually a path to survival or happiness. However, considering the idea of “not having to work” could make for some real freedom and happiness! We could have that attitude in the same organization in which we’re presently employed or it could take us to a whole new world!
If you could live the attitude of “not having to work” in your present company, what might you do differently, how might you think differently and what might you say and to whom?
You could approach this at least two ways. First, you could approach it to “fix” things up where you work. Or you could approach it to even out the score with some folks.
Here’s an example, I was nearly always right at the top in performance as a sales person early in my career. My attitude slipped and my performance suffered. I could have left. But instead I decided that if I were to leave, I would leave on my terms as a top performer. I decided I had nothing to lose (“I didn’t have to work …). Both up and down the chain of command, I started making “outrageous” requests, pushing people to get what I wanted, and began getting great results. Interestingly, it got the attention of someone in another company who made me an offer I couldn’t refuse.
Another time, I heard I was going to be downsized. Again, with seemingly nothing to lose, I started politicking and taking aim at others that I thought were vulnerable. The outcome was someone else got the “pink slip.” I got things turned around positively for myself, had a good run, and left on my own accord with everyone satisfied.
From my experience, far too many people are NOT able to do what we’re talking about. Many find it threatening. To imagine that I could DO some of the things I’d like to do, to SAY what I’d like to say or even allow myself to THINK “outside of my comfort zone,” can be threatening.
I think that by not doing it, taking a personal (educated and measured) risk, we make ourselves far less productive, limit our future, and minimize our happiness and passion.
“Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.” - Henry David Thoreau.
Here’s a time and place you can say it! Go for it!
Comments
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By pr ashworth
November 7, 2006 11:02 AM | Link to this
You say and do nothing offensive or unprofessional. If you can leave and don’t need to work. Quit. If not find what you want a enjoy. Do not burn your bridges, your ex-work life can come back to haunt you. As they say what goes around, comes around!
By anonymous
November 8, 2006 2:11 PM | Link to this
I was treated terribly at my last job. Not only were the working conditions terrible, I was also sexually harassed by my boss. Feeling like there was nothing I could do to fix it (boss was both director AND owner, so nobody to report his behavior to) I eventually had to quit for my well-being. Financially, my husband does well enough that I do not need to work. I could have told them to “take this job and shove it” but I didn’t want to burn bridges.
By Anoneemust
November 14, 2006 2:26 PM | Link to this
After being employed with X company for so many years, I felt it was necessary to leave.
The company was about as organized and efficient as the Wild West.
The stress, organized confusion and lack of solid leadership from management and senior management made it easy for me to make a decision to resign.
Did I want to? No. Did I have to for my own health and well-being? Yes.
There are those tough times in life where you have to say “to hell with a paycheck as my health and well-being are suffering.”
We as a society are money and results driven to the point that we have blurred the line between home and work life.