Is it Just a Job?

When people ask you to talk about your life, what do you say?

I have this very fulfilling job where I work 40 hours a week helping people blah blah blah fill in the blanks with whatever profession you choose...

Or do you say, just very briefly, I work at such and such and I am married with 3 beautiful children insert ages, names, achievements, where you live, the places you've seen, the committees you're on, the sports and interests you're into etc.

My point? There's so much focus on people to have a career. It's pushed down your neck at school, well that's face it your entire life. One of the biggest things we ask kids is what do you want to be when you grow up? Do we expect to hear the answer happy or a mummy?

Despite the  significance of a job, isn't it just a way of earning money to live the life you want?

Sometimes we place too much focus on a career and moving up through the ranks, the titles, the roles and the recognition that come with these, that we get stuck in a rut, choosing  perceived acceptable successes in society over what we truly want and desire.

Is a job ever worth your happiness? What happens when you love a job but it starts affecting your home life? How do you choose what comes first; your position at work or your home life?

It's easy to say that it's just a job and the choice should be easy to pick your life over work, but we all know it's much more difficult then that.

There's all of your hard work and energy that you've invested into securing your role, permanency, security, a position in a company, the acknowledgements by others, the joy of climbing the ladder and doing something for yourself, pushing boundaries and becoming successful in your career. There's something special about naming your degree or title and you don't receive that respect or buzz from anything else because you know it's your hard work that got you there.

And we know that when we find ourselves unemployed that we long for a position to feel like we are contributing to our lives and society and not just living off the system.

A job gives us the opportunity to better or lives, reduce financial pressures and to feel satisfied.

So when does a career become just a job?

Maybe when things start to become strained in your life?

Could it be when you find yourself constantly saying no to friends and family because you are working?

Or is it when you have no energy left at the end of a working day or week for the life you picture yourself living?

No matter what it is that changes your opinions towards your career, one day you might find yourself realizing that you are replaceable and that life will go on in your company without you.

Once you realize that, it's easier to make decisions based on your heart and not your head.

Once you realize that life, health, happiness and your home life is far more important then any big figure, title or work achievement then it becomes easier to put things into perspective.

But what about losing a wage, or letting down your team, or training someone else, or giving up all of your hard work that got you there in the first place?

Yes, they are difficult decisions to make, but ask yourself do I work to live or live to work?

Will I be remembered for my job or my life?

Will I regret missing my babies first steps or that extra pay cheque?

If I lost my partner and life due to a job... would it be worth it?

Would my job be enough to bring me  satisfaction by itself if I had nothing else?

A career can be more than just a job, so long as you live a balanced life.

When that balance tilts to one side, then you may have to re think your priorities, no matter how big the  sacrifices may seem at the time.

As one door closes another always opens and sometimes in the least expected corridors.

Look after yourself and those around you,

Kirsty xxx