PEOPLE`S OPINIONS ABOUT THEIR CAREER  

WHAT CAN MAKE YOUR CAREER MISERABLE?

Here what some people say:

         "As a creative person, I thought that a graphic design position would be well suited for my skills.  Ironically, the better I got at utilizing technology and software to create and produce creative material, the less I saw my clients. 

       My job became more about pushing the limits of software and less about people interaction.  In hindsight, this helped me to realize that my real passion is working with people, consulting and interacting to facilitate results. 

         I saw an amazing change in my productivity, passion and success once I moved into a position well suited to my strengths and my preferences ”I was no longer working uphill and my professional life became easier and more fun."

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         "If you've done the same thing for 3 years and don't see that there's a new job waiting for you to step up in your company, it's time to move on. Even if you take the same job at another company for more money.

      After 3 years, you're really stagnating. Make sure you're acquiring new skills that will let you move on. If you resign to take a new job and your old company suddenly wants to know what  they can do to keep you and matches your new salary, etc., tell them thanks, but no thanks. Leave anyway. Staying just confirms what your company already knows that you're a chump, and you don't care if you're treated like one. In fact, you don't even know when you're being treated like one."

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      "I will be leaving  Corporate America in 2wks from a job I dreaded.  I made an excellent salary and bonuses but the money after awhile didn't mean squat.  My passion was helping people discover their passion in life and going for it.  I'm also a wealthy resource on investing.  My job and aspirations have finally come to a head and now in 2wks I will be helping others whose time has come.  Don't stay in a job you hate or your dream begins to die on the vine. "

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Svetla, 

...here's mine: 

        I've been in the corporate environment for many years, thinking that money and prestige would make me happy. Deep down I've always wanted to "teach," and help others reach for the stars. Well, after "procrastinating for (5) years, I've made the change and have enjoyed every moment. My advice: "JUST DO IT"!

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Dear Svetla,

I can sympathize with the folks who wrote the quotes you present here.  I would have been in that boat if I had followed the advice of people around me.

Fortunately though, I arrived in the US after completing a successful athletic career, and skillfully navigating around the expectations of my Communist Boss.

What I discovered in the States was a very healthy attitude towards work and jobs in general.  People kept telling me that happiness comes from working what you like to do.  I later figured out the three factors that come together:

          1. you have to do what you're doing well enough, 

          2. You should have little competition or at least be on top of the competition and

          3. it should be an activity that people (or the economy) is willing to pay for (archeology, Latin language and social sciences are not in that list, I think)

In brief, you should like what you do, do it very well, and make sure people are willing to pay for it.  Then you are a happy camper, right!

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          "I allowed myself to believe the job was security for me and my family because I made a lot of money and held an important, steady position within a stable company.  

        I was stressed constantly, overeating, oversleeping, and overworking.  I didn't have enough time to play, be with my family, to vacation and to give time back to myself.  Once I left I was able to devote almost full-time to pursuing my dream, developing new skills, meditating, exercising, and playing with my family.  I feel like a different person!   I don't regret the experience because I learned that I can choose to be uncomfortable and miserable, or not.  And, I'm making better choices much more quickly now.

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"1.  Everything I have designed, changed, and/or improved has been undone by those who followed. To what end did I work so hard, or be so committed?

2. Changing employers or careers to make a spouse happy can work the other way for both.

3.  Find a mentor, keep your friends, stay in touch..."