Last week, I revealed that one reason people choose to stay in jobs they have no passion for is because of the money.
1) People are tied to the golden handcuffs (paycheck and benefit package.)
As a former headhunter, I’ve cold called thousands of individuals who performed in similar roles to my client’s job openings hoping to recruit them. “I’m tied here because of my salary and benefits (401Ks not fully vested)” was the most common response I heard. Even when they voiced that they hated their employer, boss, job or all the above.
“How long have you felt this way” was my next question? At times unforeseen challenges happen to the best of companies and bosses that negatively impact the conditions at the workplace. The question to ask is, “will these be temporary with the potential for resolution?” I could understand the desire to want to stick it out for a period when a light at the end of the tunnel is in sight.
How long will people stay at a job they dread going to when they’re afraid to let go of these golden handcuffs? In some cases, I found it’s decades. People get attached to the lifestyle that this income provides.
2) People stay stuck in a lackluster job because they are not willing to give up their current lifestyle.
They don’t want to downsize their stuff – not wanting to get rid of the fancy house or car. Many individuals associate their worth or success with their personal belongings.
Plus, what would their family and friends think if they downsized? Which leads to another reason why people choose to stay stuck in a lackluster job:
3) People don’t want to lose the approval of their family and friends—read more on this topic from an earlier blog.
America’s consumerism in keeping up with the Jones is alive and reinforced by a commercially-driven media system that seeks to emulate materialistic Hollywood lifestyles as a definition of success. Before many realize it, they are climbing in mountains of debt to maintain this status. Will having a bigger house and BMW lead to greater happiness and fulfillment? I don’t believe so. Not when people are disengaged in jobs they have no passion for or associate their worth to their belongings.
The truth is that most of us are living in the future and are willing to be miserable in the moment, so that our financial worth on paper doesn’t take a step down.
On the other hand, if somebody loves their job and is in a fortuitous career providing great wealth, without being attached to it, that’s icing on the cake. Money isn’t the problem. I believe money becomes a problem when we allow it to define us and take first place in our life. This can lead to a long chase trying to accumulate more to fill an insatiable void inside ourselves that money itself can’t quench. How do we fill this void inside ourselves? Stay tuned for my thoughts to this question in my next blog.
