“You should be lucky to have a job at a time like this!”

You’ve probably heard that line at least once in your life from a parent or relative. It’s the conversation-ender any time you complain about your job or benefits being cut or something else that you don’t feel like you should have to put up with. I know I have.

It kind of sucks to have folks older than you tell you that you’re not allowed to feel a certain way, especially as it pertains to your career. It’s as though some folks put a value on having a steady, known income over doing what actually makes you happy and they expect you to live and die by that same measure. 

Don’t.

Do not settle

Do not settle for a job you don’t like or an employer or boss you can’t stand. Life is just too short.

I’m not advocating for leaving your job today before you have something else lined up, but I am strongly suggesting that you do everything in your power to keep searching for a job that “checks more boxes” for you than the one you have today. For nearly all of us, there is a better fit out there for us and we just have to find it.

Get better

You can always get better – smarter, more skillful, better equipped for emergencies, better under pressure, more well spoken, etc. There is always something that we can improve upon or gain. This does not mean burning the midnight oil every night (or even most nights). This could be one night a week or zero. I’ve never had an employer that didn’t like me getting better at my current job while working that same job. Almost seems asinine that any boss would be mad at you for improving on company time. 

Take it upon yourself to level up in whatever it is you want to do. And if you need help to find something new to learn to help you in your current role, your boss or peers will likely tell you. Just keep growing.

Noise reduction

The voice we talked about who told you that you should be lucky to have what you have? Avoid that voice. You may not be able to avoid that person, but you can be damn sure to avoid talking to that person about your problems. There are a lot of people who love to minimize others’ problems to make theirs seem like a bigger deal. There are also those who love gatekeeping on suffering and unhappiness. Avoid those people or at least talking to those people about such things. They are not good sounding boards or proverbial shoulders to cry on.

Get your mind right

Don’t fill your spare moments not working listening to other people’s toxic complaining and negativity and polarization. If you are a news junkie, please try the Low Information Diet. If you find yourself spending time with chronic complainers, tell them as much. I don’t know anyone who loves to listen to others complain about their life. 

Do your best to avoid forums or internet rabbit holes of one side lambasting the other side. In most cases, there is nothing new happening here. No need to spectate someone flagellating a dead horse for some fake internet points. Avoiding it entirely is great for your mental health so you don’t get worked up about what is ultimately nothing new.

Treat Yourself

Don’t let others tell you that you don’t deserve what you want in life and in your career. Don’t fall victim to the “you should be so lucky”s from others. If you want something, work for it and go for it. When you hit a milestone along the way, congratulate yourself somehow. Reward your progress. You deserve it.

Now go get it!