5 signs that you are in the wrong job

By Roland Ofori Larbi https://rolandoforispeaks.wordpress.com/ Email: [email protected] Twitter: @RolandLarbi

5 SIGNS THAT YOU ARE

IN THE WRONG JOB


“I need a job”, “go get a job”, are familiar phrases you hear when you are a grown man or

woman.

After graduation the number one thing on your mind is to get that dream job, earn some bucks,

build your career and secure a future.

The truth is that many of us realize at one point in our career that the jobs we find ourselves in

are not consistent with our values and desires. But we find ourselves trapped and don’t seem to

have much choice mainly because it is quite difficult to get a job (and more especially a good job)

or the alternatives available don’t offer better packages than what we currently have.

After all a bad job is better than stealing, I am told. The bills must be paid and Daddy must put

food on the table everyday hence he loses his very sense of manhood.

So most of us keep hanging in there, from paycheck to paycheck and then after some years we

suddenly realize we have to go home! We have become too old and ineffective by the employer’s

estimation; it is time for a younger dynamic blood to replace us.

We retire to a rocking chair, reflecting on all these wasted years and reassuring ourselves that at

least we are better than others who never found a job.

My provocation today; is this story too familiar with you? Are you currently in a job and not too

sure whether it is the right job or not?

Well let me help you here. The following are some of the key signs that you are in the wrong job.

#1 YOU DON’T ASPIRE TO THE ROLE OF YOUR BOSS

If you are in any job, one of the critical questions to ask yourself is whether you aspire to be in

the role of your immediate boss or his line manager as well.

If you are not too sure or it is a blatant no! Then think of getting out of that job.

Secondly also reflect on the sacrifice and effort required to get that promotion. For example are

you prepared to give ten years of your life and sacrifice your work life balance to become like

your boss? If you don’t think it is worth it, then start planning your exit. Look for a place where

you won’t feel the effort you are putting in is too much of a sacrifice.

Aspiration is very critical. If you are not inspired to aspire, you will only perspire for nothing.

Buckle up now


#2 YOU HAVE NOT PERSONALY INVESTED IN DEVELOPING YOUR SKILLS FOR

THAT PARTICULAR JOB

So you have worked for more than five years, and have not bought a single book, gotten extra

materials or even attended some workshops on your own to build your skills? All the trainings

you have had so far are solely what your employer organized for you.

My friend you are wasting your years in that particular job. A sure sign that you are doing the

right job is the desire to always become better and extraordinary in that field, hence the natural

tendency to go the extra mile to develop your skills set.

Remember that your employer will only provide you with a section of trainings most relevant to

the job you have be assigned to. They are not interested in making you an expert in your field

per say. That is your own responsibility. Also note that you don’t have to only focus your career

aspirations on your current job. You have to put yourself in a position where you will still remain

relevant in the industry and can take advantage of other lucrative opportunities which might

come up in the future in other companies.


#3 YOUR CREATIVITY IS ZERO, YOU ONLY TAKE INSTRUCTIONS

Ability to do your core is not enough. Your creativity is very critical. You should be able to bring

something to the table. Your boss should seek your opinion on day to day decisions after a few

years of working.

Your line manager should be able to trust and delegate to you and believe in your judgment.

There is nothing as fulfilling when your boss goes on leave and hands over full responsibility to

you. This is an indication that you are creative and trusted.

If after three years of working, you are still struggling to add any value at all to the work you do,

then it is time to look elsewhere.

Donkeys and oxen are wired to only take instructions; you are not one of them. What makes us

human is our ability to create, multiply and replenish. You can only do this if you find the right

job in line with your God given talents.

#4 YOU ARE NOT PROUD OF YOUR JOB

There is nothing like” It is just a job” .Any work you find yourself doing forms part of your

identity. People can’t separate you from your job. Your job ultimately becomes who you are.

So ask yourself if you are proud of what you are currently doing at your workplace. Are you

proud of the company you work for? Are you comfortable with your close friends and family

regarding your work?

The reason why you are not proud of your work or your products is because it is inconsistent

with your personal beliefs and values. It may even be affecting your conscience. So how long do

you want to feel trapped?

If you are not exactly proud of your work, then you are not exactly in the right job. It is time to

part ways and start searching for your true love.


#5 YOU WON’T BE ABLE TO DO THE SAME JOB AFTER 60 YEARS

I have a bias against this whole concept of retirement. You can check out my thoughts on

retirement via this link: https://rolandoforispeaks.wordpress.com/2016/04/30/why-

retirement-is-nonsense/

The right job will require more of your brain power versus your physical power. The wages you earn by hard labor (working hard) are only seeds. The wages you earn by thinking hard are harvests. So you need to choose whether you will prefer seeds or harvest in your life.

It is alright to start a career which requires excessive use of physical strength relative to your brains, but bear in mind that it is only supposed to be temporal.

Such hard labor jobs will only provide you with seeds you can invest in developing your mind in order to maximize your earning power. Failure to do that will only leave you with the crumbs of this life.

So ask yourself if you will still have the ability to your current job when you are over sixty years. If the answer is no, it is time to switch camps.

Life is short, but it can be fun if you cherish freedom and live with consistency to your values. You will spend most of your adult life at your work place, so you owe yourself a duty to get it right, be happy and productive.

From the desk of ROL

https://rolandoforispeaks.wordpress.com/2016/04/30/why-retirement-is-nonsense/

https://rolandoforispeaks.wordpress.com/2016/04/30/why-retirement-is-nonsense/

5 signs that you are in the wrong job

Lifestyle