No Passion for the Work: Why You Quit Your Job Too Soon, Reason 3

One of the greatest films of all time is the 1999 classic, “Office Space.”  The main character, Peter Gibbons, spends his days doing menial work for a soulless corporation and feels the need to escape.  First, he tries hypnosis to disassociate himself from the daily grind, then he tries rebelling against the company in a series of hilarious antics, and ultimately, he decides to change careers entirely.

The story is comedic gold because it is universally relatable.  Most of us have had a chronic case of the Mondays at some point in our career.  If you find yourself bored by your job and want to quit, know that you’re not alone and there is a solution that might help. 

The lack of passion isn’t always a reflection of the work itself, but how you perceive it.  For instance, if you ask a salesman what they do for a living, they’ll simply say, “I’m in sales.”  However, ask about a recent deal they closed, and they’ll excitedly talk your ear off.  Perhaps passion is not missing, it’s just misplaced. 

I believe it comes down to a question of focus.  If you aren’t happy in your job, it’s time to consider how your relationship with work evolves over time and where you are in that cycle.

New Guy Syndrome

When you are first hired for your job, it seems a little challenging and complicated.  You show up excited, feel the stress and strain of learning new things, and go home eager for the next day.  Those wild emotional swings come with any new experience as you are trying to get your bearings and find an equilibrium.   

Imagine this new job is an object you’re looking at from a great distance.  You have an impression, but it’s theoretical because you can’t make out the details yet.  That changes quickly as you gain experience. 

In the Trenches

Within a year or two, you learn the basics and become familiar with your responsibilities.  You get comfortable, even cocky, and then you get bored.  Now, it’s like you see that object at point-blank range and start to take it for granted.  You have a good understanding and no longer feel challenged like you did when you were squinting from a distance.  

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, private sector workers have an average tenure of 3.5 years.  If work is boring, there’s a good chance you’re just in the trenches.  As you invest more time and attention, something remarkable happens.

Mastery

The more you stay engaged and keep raising your standards, you’ll begin to internalize the intimate details of your job.  To put it another way, the object is now under a microscope, and you realize it is more complex than you ever imagined.  The subtle nuances become obvious and, as you continue to master them, you find there is more to learn.  This is where passion lives forever.

Closing

If you’re feeling like Peter Gibbons and want to check out of your job, it might be time to reframe your perspective.  Although quitting is easy and it is exciting to start a new job, you’ll soon find yourself in the trenches again.  At some point, you must either persist toward mastery or continue to repeat the cycle.  Push through.  Focus.  Get nerdy.  You may discover that becoming a specialist comes with higher wages and great opportunities for your future.