A Job is Not a Job

It only happened on Mondays. Sometimes I escaped the unpleasant ritual. But, more often than not, right before boarding I threw up in the ladies room of the train station. It wasn't the commute I hated. It was the job.

The reasons don't matter why a job I once enjoyed turned into a job I didn't. It happens. Bosses change, companies change, priorities change, budgets change, responsibilities change. Some changes bring personal growth and opportunity. Some don't.

What does matter was the lesson learned that stayed with me the rest of my career: a job is not just a job. That job I hated helped my checking account. But my confidence, creativity, health, energy for life and view of the world was not as fortunate. When the alarm clock sounded, my previous excitement to face a new day became cocoon-like behavior, both in and out of the covers, wanting protection from another day's battle. It was safer for those I loved to refrain from sharing important issues or concerns with me, never knowing how I would react.

How you spend a significant part of your day rubs off on the rest of your day, and on those you share your life with. Over time, it rubs off on your life. I'm not talking about temporary potholes and work hiccups that come with change or periods of work intensity, or the interim choices to increase finances, or the normal setbacks and challenges that should be dealt with at work. I'm talking about the long term match between who you are and the job you have. When you're in a job that's good for you, you can feel it. And you can feel it when you're not. I agree with Barbara DeAngeles, "No job is a good job if it isn't good for you."

You see, you can't be winning at working if you don't like what you're doing, where you're doing it, or who you're doing it for. If what you do feels like work the majority of the time, you might want to think about why, and what you can do to change it. That doesn't necessarily mean you should change jobs or companies. Transferring to another team, volunteering for a new project, or asking your boss for new responsibilities may be all it takes.

But, whatever it takes, you won't be able to offer your best you at work and get rewarded with interesting work, personal growth and financial rewards, if you aren't in a good workplace environment and a good position match for who you are, what you want, and what you have to offer.

I've worked in jobs where I couldn't wait until Monday. That's when I'm so excited about the new project or the new idea or the next thing I'm working on that it's not work to me. It's a challenging, interesting, stimulating and fun way to spend my day. And, I'm a lot happier when that's the case.

(c) 2004 Nan S. Russell. All rights reserved.

Sign up to receive Nan's free biweekly eColumn at www.winningatworking.com. Nan Russell has spent over twenty years in management, most recently with QVC as a Vice President. She has held leadership positions in Human Resource Development, Communication, Marketing and line Management. Nan has a B.A. from Stanford University and M.A. from the University of Michigan. Currently working on her first book, Winning at Working: 10 Lessons Shared, Nan is a writer, columnist, small business owner, and on-line instructor. Visit www.nanrussell.com or contact Nan at info@nanrussell.com.

---

How to Get Paid More Without Being Pretty or Good Looking

Guess what. The results are out they are ugly. Pretty... Read More

Job Interviews: Succeeding With Panel Interviews

These days, job interviews often consist of a panel of... Read More

Top Career Advice ... More Choices and A Better Way of Life

Why Career Advice Is So ImportantChoosing a career presents a... Read More

Factual Employment Screening Part 1

We have all heard in recent years that the need... Read More

Job Hunting Tips: Organizing Your Attack

Looking for work is an energy-devouring ordeal, often leading to... Read More

Make a Good Living Doing What You Love

Don't let anyone talk you into going to college when... Read More

Business Experience is YOUR Security Cover

Some may want to interpret "independent" to mean WITHOUT others.... Read More

Taking Your Words Seriously

When we ordered the stained glass window as... Read More

Resume Outline - Add Structure & Flow to Your Resume

Building your resume, based on a resume outline will give... Read More

Cover Letters

Cover Letters: Are you telling them what they want to... Read More

Job Interviews -- How to Follow Up Effectively

Getting a job is not just about your performance in... Read More

Personal Contacts: The Key to Successful Networking

When the word "networking" is used, we tend to think... Read More

Employment Under A Microscope

A certain amount of oversight is involved in almost any... Read More

Career Moves: Take Charge of Your Life

Every day millions of people let their inner fears stop... Read More

The Right Way To Send Your Resume

Having a great resume is the first critical step in... Read More

5 Proven Steps To Easily Master The Art Of The Interview And Get The Bartending Job Of Your Dreams!

Your mouth is dry, your palms are sweaty, your heart... Read More

Outsmart Other Job Seekers by Showing These 5 Key Strengths

Getting an appointment for an interview these days is an... Read More

Update Your Resume Today

A friend was just promoted to a position of vice-president... Read More

Work In Dubai

Dubai is home to an exciting, diverse, multi-cultural blend of... Read More

How To Get That Promotion

If you're looking for that promotion or pay rise then... Read More

Make Your Career Offshore Proof

There has been a lot of talk recently about American... Read More

How To Find A Job As A Copy Editor

Jobs for copy editors may seem like they are hard... Read More

Job Search Lessons From The Super Bowl

The Super Bowl is a game but, like sports in... Read More

Opportunities in Automotive Services Industries - How To Cash In

I believe it would be safe to say that the... Read More

Why You Only Really Need Four Sample Resumes

Any job seeker looking for sample resumes usually doesn't have... Read More

Mastering the Job Interview - 5 Tips to Make Yourself Irresistible to the Interviewer

So you've figured out, more or less what you want... Read More

Shades of Grey

A paperweight sits on my desk, etched in... Read More

Free Resume Template: Beware!

Downloading a free resume template can be so alluring. No... Read More

How Can You Find Freelance Writing Jobs?

Do you think that there is a big sign that... Read More

Think Twice Before You Change Jobs

You've got the itch to change jobs. This might be... Read More

Students Discover Your Niche By Using Career Assessment

In our ever changing world where job competition is rampant... Read More

Hiring the OverQualified Employee or Mining for Gold

I am having a hard time understanding why a valuable... Read More

Bartending School Online- Earn Your Bartender Training From Home

Many young adults flock to bars, lounges and clubs on... Read More