As I get older, I realize the importance of working at jobs I like and enjoy. I’ve learned that being negative at work will drain my energy. I’ve also noticed that working jobs where I feel overworked and underpaid, or where I just didn’t like the people prevented me from having mental clarity. At times I would come home completely tired without a desire to write after washing dishes or busing tables all day. On those days, I couldn’t focus on even the smallest task like writing blogs or reading anything. If anything involved me getting my mind focused, I would be easily distracted and look for a Facebook game that required less thinking.
Apparently, I’m not alone in this dilemma. According to NY Magazine:
“In two surveys of full-time employees, a team led by Russell Johnson of Michigan State University found that employees who admit they spend more time criticizing and complaining about practices at work are more likely to end up feeling unfocused and unable to concentrate than their colleagues who instead suggested ways to improve things.”
The team also finds that when we work at place we don’t like or deal with co-workers we hate, we use so much mental energy that when we get home, it’s depleted. The same goes with trying to reserve your willpower in order to maintain your composure.
What is the solution to this? Quitting and finding a job you like should be the ultimate goal. However, when I can’t quit my job, I find that doing community service helps a lot. It surrounds me with people who are appreciative of my efforts, which instantly raises my spirits, thus giving me more mental clarity. Also, when I get off a hard day at work, I would go to the bar and watch a game, or hang out with friends as much as possible. This gives me someone or something to look forward to so I don’t have to think about the negative things at work, even if I’m at work.