Signs You’re Not Cut Out for the 9 to 5 Life

Blog Posts, News, and Updates

Signs You’re Not Cut Out for the 9 to 5 Life

signs you are not cut out for 9 to 5 life

Many of us were raised to a subtle beat (or loud gong) that went something like, “Get good grades. Get into a decent school. Get a solid typical work hours of 9-5 desk job. Be happy.”

Problem is, for some people this formula doesn’t lead to career fulfillment. In fact, it’s a formula that ultimately makes them want to crawl out of their own skin or run screaming. Could this be you? What are some signs that you may, in fact, not be cut out for a traditional,  9 to 5 life?

For instance, here are a few signs, plus what should you do if this speaks to you.

1. The Office Makes You Feel Like a Caged Animal 

It is not always about resenting authority. For instance, those who aren’t cut out for traditional jobs, it could be something else.  The endless sea of desks could make them want to run screaming.

What to do if you feel trapped?

If your job requires you to sit in one place and stare at a computer all day (and you actually don’t mind the work), you may consider something else. For example, request the option to telecommute a couple times a week. If your role doesn’t really mandate sitting in one place every day, here is what you could do. Start planning your day (or requesting to do so) in a way that gets you out and about at least a time or two every day.

2. You Don’t Like Working Regimented Hours

Similar to the feeling that a cubicle may give you, being required to punch in and out each day can make some feel like they have no say in their career or life (and having no say make them want out).

What to Do If You Despise Set Hours

Furthermore, if this is your job (and it’s making you nuts), you may want to consider a new position or line of work. If the imposed hours are arbitrary, perhaps you could put together a proposal that shows your boss how you can achieve your goals outside of the current schedule.

3. You Resent Being Told What to Do (by Anyone)

If you feel a bubbling rage when asked to attend a meeting you don’t want to go to or work on a project you don’t think is a priority, this could be a warning sign. Do you think you shouldn’t have to arrive at a certain time?  How about put in a request for vacation time? The writing’s on the wall.

What to Do If You’re Not Having it with Authority

If you’re feeling super resentful about having to answer to anyone, it may be a clear indicator that you’re meant to be your own boss. However, this isn’t us saying, “March right in and quit.”  This is to say, this could be reckless. But if you truly despise working on someone else’s agenda, consider how you might earning living as the one who gets to make the agenda.

In conclusion, if you are not cut out for a 9 to 5, then here is what you should do. Find strategic, creative, or brave ways to redefine your current role, or create your own set of typical work hours. Certainly, there are more than just these 3 signs.  Above all, review these signs first that could show you are not cut out for the 9 to 5 life.

Our award-winning coaches at the Ignite Your Potential Centers offer a complimentary 25-minute phone session to help you come up with more ways to boost your team’s morale! We are the #1 career coaches in San Francisco and the #1 career coaches in Los Angeles, let us show you how we earned that praise.

 

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is IYP-Logo.png

 

Categories