I have to be honest and say that I have had some good jobs. Good government jobs, as my grandmother used to say. My first real job was as an Immigration Officer with the Federal Government and I also worked in State Government. Both jobs showed my that there are times when a paycheck just isn’t enough.
Now don’t get me wrong, I am not advocating that you just walk away from a job, not unless you have a 6-7 figure savings or another, better job lined up. No. But there are times when a job can be just as detrimental to your health, sanity and well being as anything else. During my time as an Immigration Officer I developed hypertension, partially due to my weight but also due to the stress that came along with the job.
I enjoyed what I did for a living, the exposure to other cultures and languages and learning about other countries was intriguing. However the flip side of that was the bureaucratic red tape from our local office as well as the national offices. After 9/11, there were major changes and the creation of a new department. There was a lot of going on, and of course the work did not stop.
After 8 years I decided to leave, no real plan in place just trusting that there would be provisions made and I would not have to move back home with my grandmother. When I found out how much I would get from unemployment, I was shocked saddened and disappointed and ready to go back to work. However, my care was paid off and I was able to manage with the little saving I had and my small unemployment check.
Leaving government job 2, I was better prepared. I saved more, borrowed from my retirement and was in a better place to survive in the interim. This job was with one of the state hospitals in medical administration. While this job sort of fell into my lap, it provided me an opportunity to learn something that I knew nothing about (medical administration) and work with some amazing people.
Both jobs were filled with amazing people co-workers and the people that I met along the journey. Both jobs provided me with opportunities to do things that I otherwise would not have done. Both jobs paid well and had excellent benefits.
But at the end of it all, all of the happiness I enjoyed was temporary. I was not fulfilled. I learned that happiness is truly an inside job and that in order to be happy I must first find it within myself. This was a difficult but necessary journey and I am better for the journey. Here are just a few lessons I learned:
- Always bet on yourself. You are sure to win every time.
- Don’t be afraid of change. Embrace it. The universe will ensure that you are fine.
- Do what is right for you. People will question your choices and your sanity. As long as you are comfortable with the choices you make it is no one else’s business.
- Success does not happen overnight and success looks different depending on your perspective. When in doubt refer back to #1.
Until Next Time.
Dr Sharice 