Why I chose not to stay at a job just for the money
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We've all heard the saying, "Money can't buy happiness," and in my opinion, it holds a significant truth when it comes to our careers.
Reflecting on my own experience, I often sensed something didn't feel good or wasn't a fit around my work. Yet I was absolutely terrified and paralyzed to make a change. I was afraid of making the "wrong" decision, the unknown, failing horribly, and being destitute. All of these fears were deeply interwoven with my relationship with money.
I've put in considerable time effort to understand myself better. It was that work that slowly started to shift my mindset around work and money. I was beginning to redefine what success meant to me. Throughout this process, I realized I had made career choices to please others and neglected to check in with myself to see if it was truly aligned.
At first, I made little changes to test the waters, then step-by-step, created the conditions for a big change in my life. What I found out was it was possible for me to feel joy in my work, without losing the roof over my head. I want to be clear: a steady pay check that covers your needs (and then some) is important. However, I started to discover for myself that I needed to factor in more than just money.
This post is an exploration of those learnings, and why staying at a job solely for the money may not be the best.
Why I reconsidered staying at a job, even though it paid well
1. Your Mental and Emotional Well-Being Matters
When spending a significant portion of your life in a job that doesn't align with your values, interests, or passions, it can take a toll on your mental and emotional well-being. The daily grind can leave you feeling unfulfilled, stressed, and even lead to burnout. Mental and emotional health should be a priority, and staying at a job solely for financial gain may jeopardize it.
I personally believe that burnout is a sign of misalignment. You’re receiving messages that something is not right in your life.
Consider asking yourself:
What would you like to do with those messages?
What do these signals tell you about your current situation?
How can you use this information to guide your path toward a more fulfilling career?
2. Career Growth and Fulfillment
True career satisfaction often comes from a sense of growth, purpose, and fulfillment. Staying at a job solely for the paycheck may actually lead to stagnation.
I know I was missing out on opportunities for personal and professional development because I was not connected to my work. If I were connected, I believe that spark would have fuelled me to look for more opportunities to stretch myself.
By identifying this misalignment, I started to pivot towards a path that better aligns with my values and passions. And my creativity, passion, and stamina to learn followed.
3. Impact on Your Physical Health
Unhappiness at work can seep into other areas of our life, including our physical health. For me, work stress showed up as insomnia, digestive issues, extreme fatigue, and constant brain fog. Through my own health issues, I was starting to notice the growing body of work is recognizing the link between ongoing stress and illness.
In Dr. Gabor Maté’s Why the Body Says No, he shares that chronic stress “is activation of the stress mechanisms over long periods of time when a person is exposed to stressors that cannot be escaped either because she does not recognize them or because she has no control over them.” As a result, “[d]ischarges of nervous system, hormonal output, and immune changes constitute the flight-or-fight reactions that help us survive immediate danger… But the same stress responses triggered chronically and without resolution, produce harm and even permanent damage.”
I decided I wanted to move away from chronic stress to support my healing. I felt that making changes today could mean I might prevent severe health issues in the future.
4. Life's Short
Regardless of how long you've been in a job that doesn't bring you fulfillment, I believe we always have the choice to make a change.
If you’re resisting this like I once did, you might be subscribing to the sunk cost fallacy, where your mind tricks you into thinking you should keep investing in something because you've already put a lot into it. It's hard to stop, even if it's not working because you don't want to feel like you wasted what you've already put in.
Slowly I started to lean into courage, so I could pivot and choose a new path. I accepted the idea that I am not a failure for wanting a more meaningful and aligned career.
5. The Pursuit of Meaning
The journey to finding meaning in work is a personal one. I know firsthand that embracing my uniqueness and pursuing what truly matters is a challenge while stuck in an unfulfilling job.
In retrospect, I can now acknowledge that I arrived at this place because I was people-pleasing my parents and conforming to societal definitions of success.
Regardless of the past and what led you to this point, I can share that it is possible to break free from external expectations and seek a path that aligns with your values, preferences, and needs.
6. Spiritual Essence
Recognizing myself as a spiritual being on a human journey made me aware of my unique gifts and talents. Staying in a job purely for financial reasons dimmed my light on those innate qualities.
I truly believe that within each person lies a unique set of gifts and talents that only you can share with the world. Our spiritual work is letting our talents shine and aligning our path with the essence of who we are.
How to make a change to a more rewarding career
If you find yourself trapped in a job solely for financial reasons, consider these next steps. These are the steps I took to better connect with myself, then gradually, I created the conditions for a big change in my life.
1. Self-Reflection
Understand yourself better by reflecting on your values, interests, strengths, and passions. This introspection is crucial for identifying where and how you want to make changes.
2. Discover Your Purpose
A holistic coaching approach would start with identifying who you are, so that you can then determine the what of how to move forward. This is the path to uncovering your purpose. Once that’s defined, it can act as a self-actualizing compass for your next career move.
3. Set Goals
Break your career goals into manageable steps. Consider goals related to education, training, introspection, resume enhancement, or whatever else comes forward for you. Create a roadmap that aligns with your newfound understanding of yourself.
4. Begin or Continue Your Healing Journey
Address any limiting beliefs that may be hindering your ability to make changes. Healing and creating balance across your eight dimensions of well-being is a crucial step in preparing yourself for a fulfilling career transition.
5. Connect with Your Network
Connect with individuals already pursuing the career you aspire to. Conversations with them can provide valuable insights and help you gain a clearer understanding of the path you wish to embark on.
6. Plan Financially
When making a transition to a new job, it's essential to have a financial plan in place. This may involve budgeting, saving, or exploring part-time opportunities before and during the switch.
7. Create an Exit Plan
What do you need to get in place before you can exit? This will look different for everyone. Outline what would feel good, safe, and like a calculated risk for you to transition to something else.
Finding a fulfilling career, beyond financial considerations
My experience is that a fulfilling career is far more than just the salary. Our mental and emotional well-being, career growth, and physical health are all deeply intertwined with the work we choose to engage in daily.
The idea is not the avoidance of pain or striving for perfection. It’s to find work that even during difficult times, we're able feel connected to our purpose, show up, and persevere everyday.
As we navigate the complexities of life, it's crucial to recognize that our time is finite. Embracing change is not a failure but a courageous choice. Finding meaning in work, aligning with our spiritual essence, and taking practical steps toward a rewarding career are all essential components of a holistic approach to personal and professional fulfillment.
You can shape your career in a way that resonates with your values, passions, and unique gifts—ultimately contributing to a more balanced and purposeful life.
