Dedication Or Lack of Motivation?

You love your job. You're a hard worker. You stay in the same job for 5+ years because you enjoy your work so much. Some may call this dedication. But I wonder.... is it really dedication, or just lack of motivation? Moving on to a new job could be a good thing. Better perks and better pay. So why are you still in the same job?

I recently discussed this with a colleague who had just left a job he loved. While he was sad to have left a position he liked, he was excited and happy for his new job. He told me that being content in your job isn't always a good thing. It can keep you from seeking out a new job which could potentially make you infinitely more happy (and potentially more wealthy).

Interestingly, I feel like this same line of thinking can be applied to relationships. You think you're happy and so you stay. Then something forces a break up, far sooner than what you had in mind (Break up?? We're never going to break up!). This sends you into the downward spiral of insecurity, self doubt and the inconsolable sadness that comes from realizing that things will never be the same again. It feels like the world is going to end.

But what you don't realize is that maybe you weren't as happy as you thought. You stayed in that situation for so long that you actually lowered your standards and compromised your true feelings in order to maintain the status quo. Sacrificing a little happiness is better than being alone, right? And if you hadn't been forced out of that situation, you'd still be in it. Still compromising. Still not entirely happy, but just happy enough to stay.

Just like a reluctant fledgling needs to be pushed out of the nest and forced to spread its wings and fly, we too need to be pushed out of our comfort zone. What at first seems cruel or harsh, actually ends up being the best thing that could have possibly happened to us.

Think about it....How many times have you broken up with someone, swearing you'd never be happy again, only to find someone new who turns out to be 150 times better? This is the uplifting outcome that you must keep in mind while you're wallowing in your chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream.

There are other fish in the sea - and most of the time, they're much better than what you just threw back.