You’re OK, but maybe you’re thinking my job sucks, my boss sucks, my life sucks. The question is “What are you going to do about it” Don’t quit your job because the next one, if you get one, could be worse or just the same. I have a 10 step plan to improve your life starting today. Are you ready to change your life and develop a new improved you?
Over the last 1000 seminars I have asked everyone in the room three questions. I ask them to take out a piece of paper but not to put their name or company on the paper. I ask them
1. Do you love your job? Do you look forward every morning to getting up and going to work or would you rather be doing something else?
2. Do you hate your boss? Do you get the respect and recognition that you deserve?
3. Do you hate your life? Are you happy with your life or would you like to improve?
Almost everywhere in the world I have received about the same percentages to the questions.
1. Do you hate your job? 67% said they hate their job.
2. Do you hate your boss? 62% said they hate their boss.
3. Do you hate your life? 20% said they hate their life.
Let’s get started with step 1. Taking Inventory.
I want you to get a notebook of some sort and start taking inventory of your life. Answer this question first. Where am I today? By that, I mean list everything about yourself to find out where you are today and be honest. As examples list If you are in debt. Do you have credit card debt, car loans, mortgages 1st and 2nd, equity loans and any other debt? Do you have a job? Were you fired, laid off, just out of school and searching? Do you hate your job? Is it a dead end job? Do you love your job? Are you in good or bad health? Are you handicapped or challenged? Are you married? Is it a good or bad marriage? Do you have children? Do you want children? Do you have a degree from High School, College or higher degree? Are you making enough money? Do you have time for extra activities out side of work? Do you fit in? Can you communicate well with others? Can you communicate with the management above you? Do you have a small or large vocabulary? Can you focus or do you have ADD?
Take the time and answer these questions and add more as you think of them.
Next ask yourself. What made me take the job that I have or just left?
Was it temporary? Did you need the job to pay the bills? Looked like a great career move. Good company, great stock, great salary, near home, friends or family recommended the company, and other reasons. They had a great product or service. Promised development and management training.
What changed in your job? New management, new boss, more responsibilities. more hours, less money, less benefits, less help and other issues. Did the company relocate, no parking, limited parking, longer commute, smaller or no office? Did they ask you to work out of your home with no secretarial help? Did they cut your commissions or salary? Maybe the company’s sales are down and there is more pressure to bring in revenue. Did they force you to take a vacation over the holidays and it conflicted with your planned vacation?
What changed in your life? Did you get married, divorced, or have children? Are you on drugs or have an alcohol problem? Did you have an accident that affects your job or life? Are you depressed, or experienced a death in the family? Do you have new interests? Do you have family problems with your spouse, children or parents? Is there pressure at home to provide more then you make? Are you in foreclosure on your house, behind in payments or evicted? Have you changed or grew mentally and maybe in size? Have you been unfaithful to your spouse or lover? Did you get older and lose your energy and ability to compete?
Some people knew what they wanted to be when they grew up from an early age. Others may take a lifetime if they ever find it. Some people knew they wanted to be a doctor, musician, actor, writer, fireman, lawyer, sports figure, stockbroker or tradesman. Sometime it comes from the parents or another authority figure who was admired. Many of us need to experience many different fields to find out what we want.
Make a list of what you like to do and don’t like to do. Do you like to travel and see the world? This requires you to stay away from home and miss many events. Do you like to work in an office or outdoors? Do you have a hobby that be turned into full time employment? Many of us have made choices to be where we are without realizing that it is the right choice. Now we have to find a way to make you successful in the job you have today.
