Work Is No Longer Just About Paying the Bills
Why people are quitting their jobs…
Work hard. Make money. Be happy?
Our culture has always placed a high value on work and money. As they say, "money makes the world go round."
But, there are all these other countervailing perspectives, like: "Love your work even if it doesn't make as much money" and "prioritize time with your family and friends."
The reality? It was hard not to pass judgment or be seriously concerned about someone who chose to stop working, even if it was temporary. It simply didn't feel natural...
But in the last few years, we’ve learned firsthand how fragile life is. We've realized we have a limited time here in this world. As a result, many people have reexamined their lives and this has caused a bit of an existential moment.
The pandemic has changed our mindset. We realized what was important to us... and it wasn't work.
The Great Resignation
The universal nature of the pandemic is a major reason so many people are now quitting their jobs all at once.
Research has shown that people tend to quit their jobs after experiencing a “turnover shock”: a life event that precipitates self-reflection about one’s job satisfaction.
Shocks can be positive, like grad school acceptance or a new baby, or negative, like a divorce or sick relative. Or they can be global catastrophes like COVID-19 that upend every aspect of daily life.
People are leaving their jobs in search of more money, more flexibility and more happiness. Many are rethinking what work means to them, how they are valued, and how they spend their time.
For many, the pandemic opened their eyes to just how unhappy they were - not just with work but with life.
For many adults, the pandemic offered a glimpse of what life could be like if we didn't have to work (and commute) those 50 to 60 hours a week. We finally had the opportunity and the luxury of time to reevaluate our priorities, spend time with family, and time with ourselves.
The pandemic forced many 'workaholics' and 'overachievers' to slowly learn to be different people - to do what pleases them, to read, go for walks, make art, and do other things which they enjoy. Having time to themselves, their mental wellbeing improved. For many it was like having a break to focus on themselves and their health for the first time in a while. Not being forced to do the 9-5 drag every day - made people realize how work had become physically and mentally draining.
Some people learned to relax for the first time in their lives, and finally had time to focus on themselves and their health.
The pandemic just allowed for time. You finally had time to think about what you really wanted. The pandemic has allowed some people to step back and ask themselves,
"What do I really value? What's really important to me? How do I align my decision-making with that?"
As workers, we now crave the flexibility given to us in the pandemic... like being able to make our own schedules and plan things on our own terms. People are really pushing to get a job that aligns with their goals and are being very intentional in the career steps that they take.
We do need to pay bills, so we have to work... but now work can accommodate life.
Most of us have lived our entire adult life petrified about not having an income, about not being able to make ends meet, about losing what we have worked so hard to achieve.
The most profound change is that we now know there are other ways, other options — that we can make. The old model of having to work 9 to 5, Monday through Friday, while sacrificing everything else, is not the only option anymore.
Whatever it is, we’re here for you.
Life is uncertain. Jobs are stressful. Parenting is hard. Relationships take work. Families can be dysfunctional. And, sometimes love hurts. When you’re confronted by feelings, events, or issues that are making your life challenging, it’s okay to ask for some help.
