As we re-adjust, again, to life post-restrictions, many of us have begun to question, well, everything. How do I want to live my life? Am I happy where I am living? Do I really want to stay in my job?
If we are to follow the US, perhaps not. As millions of American workers leave their jobs, Australians are waiting for what’s been dubbed ‘The Great Resignation‘ to drift here. While experts are still divided if this will impact us as much as the US (Australia’s resignation rates are actually at an all-time low), reports of a talent drought in some sectors are keeping bosses on their toes.
Yet, I suggest that instead of panicking, we — employers and employees alike — consider this uncertain and fluid time as a way to tap into what we truly want. This doesn’t mean quitting immediately; resigning can often be a surface solution, and if you don’t tap into the undercurrents as to why you want to quit, they may resurface in your potential new role.
There are more powerful ways to uplevel and reinvent yourself than quitting immediately, especially if you are unable to jump ship right now due to financial commitments.
I’ve worked with many people to identify what gives them purpose and meaning and then tried to incorporate that into their current roles. Here are some of my observations about how anyone can inject some passion into their job without just yet throwing it away.
Get Clear on What Brings You Joy
Get clear on what it is you truly feel joyful about and look for opportunities to create those things with your current employer.
For a while, I had unsuccessfully pursued a promotion to an Executive Manager, and it wasn’t until a dear friend pointed out that what I truly found to be joyful at work (coaching and facilitation) was only going to make up about 20% of the role of Executive Manager position.
Instead, you may like to tap into what specifically you truly love to be and do at work, and offer to be of service to your employer in those ways. Once you are able to shine brightly in what you truly feel joyful about, you will become an attractor for similar projects of the same vibe.
Consider a Side Project
If you can carve out the time, feel into what is a meaningful side project for you and start on that. Some people may find that they have an additional two hours or more in their day due to working from home (and avoiding the long commute). That time can be an absolute blessing for creative projects. If you feel like it, you may want to tune into what that might look like for you.
Many employers support people to have a side project (provided there are no commercial conflicts), and you can explore other avenues like writing a book, creating and hosting a podcast, plus more.
Connect With Like-Minded Communities
Find communities that love the things you love. I have found it really helpful to tap into groups with people who have similar interests to spur you along. If you join those kinds of groups, you are bound to find people who are a little further ahead on their creative path and provide loads of inspiration to learn from.
Take the Time to Meditate
Oprah Winfrey once said: “The voice that truly matters is the silent voice of awareness, consciousness, aliveness”. Meditation is the most powerful tool I know. It has helped me come to a place of non-attachment and non-judgement about my situations, instead, approaching them with compassion and empathy. Meditation is also the most creative force I have experienced. Because of it, I have received numerous creative ideas that have turned into a book, a podcast and many articles.
Understand What Happiness Really Is
Realise that there is no one job or role that will make you happy forever. Happiness is an inside job, and being happy is a temporary feeling. We are on a continual growth journey for life and no one single role is your destination.
Alana Mai Mitchell is a corporate results coach, author and senior product development manager at a major Australian bank. She’s also the host of The Eastern Influenced Corporate Leader podcast, which interviews prominent figures with Eastern-style perspectives about the merits of compassion, empathy, mindfulness, meditation and kindness.
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