Step 2.1: Caught In A Bad Romance?
(Good luck getting this song out of your head. Sorry.)
It’s hard to argue with the belief that the successful and contented people in this world are the ones who have found a way to make a career out of their passion. Whether its a musician playing for tips, a teacher helping kids learn a new skill, an accountant balancing the books or a world-famous athlete earning millions for playing a game, we all know when we someone doing what they love and were put on the planet to do.
Unfortunately, the opposite is just as true.
Do you dread going to work? Feel like you’re going in the wrong direction? Checking the clock every 5 minutes on a Tuesday? Feel like everyone else is ahead of you in the rat race?
Congratulations, you're in a toxic relationship with your career. You’re caught in a bad romance.
What would you tell a friend in a bad relationship?
GET OUT.
But we know it’s not that simple.
The problem: You can't ghost your paycheck like a bad Tinder date. Bills exist. That BMW isn't paying for itself.
But here's the truth: Just because it's called "work" doesn't mean it should feel like stepping on Legos every morning.
Your Playbook:
Are you using your Superpowers?
Does your industry get you fired up?
Do you think your company is the right place for you to be?
No to these? Ask yourself these questions - and be very honest with yourself:
What is really happening in your world?
Are you burnt out?
Is the career you've chosen really that bad?
Is your personal life causing your career restlessness?
Or are you just restless?
If these are yes, then start planning your jailbreak. The grass isn't always greener, but staying in a soul-crushing job is like drinking poison and hoping your boss dies.
“If you want to be successful, you must respect one rule: Never lie to yourself."
- Paulo Coelho
Remember: This isn't a breakup text situation. Plan your exit like a pro.
Your Playbook will help you understand how to extricate yourself, plan your next move, and build the confidence to actually make the move.
And this is one situation where you can truthfully use the old “It’s not you, it’s me” line to get out of a bad romance.