Don’t let Your Professional Life trapped in a Jar

Every Professional must read this inspirational short story. This story resembles the life of many professionals whose life is stuck in a Jar. It is an inspirational short story with a motivating moral on how Professional Trapped into SINGLE INCOME and SINGLE IDENTITY (SISI)

A “mouse” was put at the top of a jar filled with grains.

He was too happy to find so much of food around him. Now he doesn’t need to run around searching for food and can happily lead his life.

As he enjoyed the grains, in a few day’s time, he reached the bottom of the jar. Now he is trapped and he cannot come out of it.

He has to solely depend upon someone to put grains in the same jar for him to survive. He may even not get the grain of his choice and he cannot choose either. If he has to live, he has to feed on whatever has been put into the jar.

Here are the top 4 lessons from this:

1) Short term pleasures can lead to long-term traps.

2) If things are coming easy and you are getting comfortable, you are getting trapped into survival mode.

3) When you are not using your skill, you are losing your skills.

4) If you don’t take right Action at right time, you will finish what you have and will be in no position to come out. — Do something now and start taking action.

EVER DEPEND ON SINGLE INCOME. MAKE INVESTMENT TO CREATE A SECOND SOURCE.

Here are 10 tell-tale signs that you’re stuck in a dead-end job:

1. Your work offers no change in routine; it’s very mechanical.
2. Your skills are not being tapped.
3. You’re too comfortable.
4. You get that Monday morning feeling nearly every day.
5. You’re not challenged.
6. Attempts to change or improve your job are not welcomed.
7. Your thoughts and contributions are not valued.
8. No change in pay, title or tasks.
9. A machine can do your job.
10. Your values and the firm’s values are not aligned.

“The most important thing is to take responsibility for your job quality and success,” Reynolds says. “Don’t blame a company for your situation. Rather assess honestly, take action and, thoughtfully, purposefully go where you can flourish.”

So, what can you do if you are stuck in a dead-end job?

1. Create a personal document to examine what can be done, if anything, to improve your current situation.
2. Identify your strengths and weaknesses.
3. Identify a compelling future for yourself and use it as a motivator to take action.
4. Continue doing your job well.
5. Examine the risks that are associated with leaving your dead-end job.
6. Do your homework so that you choose well in your next job.

Getting unstuck from a dead-end job is not about having a positive attitude, but about positive action. Never say there is no room for growth. Make new doors and explore new territories. Where there is no upward growth, go for lateral moves. Don’t wait for an acknowledgement; tell the world and show them World you deserve better. It’s all about awareness, initiative and positive action. No matter what, don’t allow your career dreams to be shattered simply because you’re too valuable where you are.