How to Find a Purpose in a Job That you Don’t Like

When you go to work, you expect fair pay, a pleasant work environment, and to be treated like you matter. As professionals, we dream of closing deals, making money, increasing our audience, and working with people we enjoy being around. If you are fortunate enough to have your dream job, you know how good it feels. While we enjoy feeling good, some jobs leave us far short of our desires. That’s why it’s important to know How to Find Purpose in a Job That You Don’t Like. 

Loving what you do in your career takes you beyond numbers and quotas. It brings you to the bullseye of who God says you are. For true fulfillment, you must bridge the gap between making money and being fulfilled. Yes, money feels good and gives you many more choices, but it’s not enough. When the day ends, you need more than just money. You need to feel you have the right career and you are doing the right thing. The only way to have that feeling is to operate with a purpose in mind. God gives you a purpose. Actively pursuing that purpose gives you satisfaction that is far greater than money.

Money is a Big Deal

Money is such a big deal that it’s easy to allow purpose to get lost in the shadows of financial pursuit. It’s important to stop along the way to make sure your business pursuits include purpose. If not, at some point, you will fight to arrive at a destination, then realize you don’t even like where you are. 

Early in my career, I was certain that I wanted to work in a corporate management position. I dreamed of dressing in professional clothes, having a big office, and being a leader. I even wondered if I could be a CEO of a major corporation. When I started my first management position, I worked hard to follow the rules, even the political rules that were unwritten. After two and a half years, they gave me a territory just like I dreamed. They placed me in a fast-track program to be groomed for upper-level management. As the youngest person to hold my position, I was sure I was in the right place. I also traveled, had a nice expense account, and enjoyed some valuable perks. At first, I thought that was all I needed, but with every promotion, there was always something missing. I was good at turning around low production and knew how to keep morale high. I understood the value of diversity and understood the business. With all the favor coming my way, I still couldn’t find my place of comfort. I was never happy with my job. No matter what I accomplished or how hard I worked, it was never enough. Something was always missing. 

After years of trying to make myself feel better, I realized that there was more to me than just managing corporate quotas and politics. I was full of God-given purpose that was about to boil over with the desire to be exercised. I needed a place for my purpose to thrive. 

At a weeklong management training exercise, they paired me with another manager. During one of our sessions, they asked, “What would you do if you only had one year to live?” The other manager quickly responded, “I certainly would not be doing this! Surprised that he was just as unfulfilled as me, I asked him, “What would you be doing?” He said, “I would find something that has more meaning.” All I could say was, “Yes!” He nailed it. Money didn’t make it meaningful and stuff didn’t make us happy. A week later, he passed away in an auto accident. He didn’t have time to make a new decision, but I still had time. Two weeks later, I quit my job.

That led me on a journey that I discuss in my book, How To Make Your Business Your Ministry–The New Marketplace Ministry. My quick and unplanned exit from my job created unnecessary challenges. I needed to find a purpose for my job until it was right to leave. Every move needs a plan. Yes, I knew it was not my forever place, but the income could have been used to prepare for my next move. My hasty decision made me struggle unnecessarily. There is a lot to consider Before You Quit Your Job.

If you are in a job or career that you don’t like, plan to change. But while you are there, find a purpose, although it’s not the job you like.

Here are a Few Suggestions to Help

Find purpose by believing that staying on the job is preparing you for your next step. See yourself as using your position to get the experience you need for a better-paying job.

Find a purpose by creating an exit plan. Every day on the job is a part of your plan. Your time there is purposeful because it is giving you what you need to move forward.

Find purpose by steering away from negativity and focusing on something positive. For example, if you are an educator, there is a purpose in unlocking a mind to see the greater potential. Focus on the purposeful part of the job instead of the aspect of the job that you don’t like. 

Find purpose by taking advantage of the learning opportunities and benefits that the job offers. Let the current position train you for a promotion, get the medical care you need, set you up for retirement, pay your college tuition, and any other benefit that helps you.

Find purpose by building meaningful relationships that add value to your life. You spend hours working and getting ready for work. Make it count by enjoying personal benefits that will last beyond the position at your job.

Your heartbeats are too important to spend day after day on a job that you don’t like. That’s why you need a change plan. Executing a plan to change careers or start a business takes time. Seek to find a purpose even though you don’t like the job. That will help you manage the time and plan your exit in a way that helps you avoid financial pitfalls.

If you read this post and you still can’t imagine staying on your job and working out a plan, check out my post, Choosing the Right Side Hustle to create a quick plan to secure some income while making your transition. Try not to spend your 401K. Start cutting your expenses down to just basic needs. Also, start looking for jobs on websites like Indeed, CareerBuilder, and LinkedIn.

I know it’s tough when you don’t like your job. Work diligently and let God help you make the changes you desire at the right time.

“Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” (3 John 2)

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