Last updated on March 26th, 2021.
As much as I am always advocating for you to follow your dreams and your passions, today I want to share with you the top 3 reasons why you should not quit your (prestigious but soul-crushing) career to live your dreams.
Why you should NOT to quit your (prestigious but soul-crushing) job to live your dreams. Click To Tweet1. You shouldn’t quit your job because… you have it all!
You’ve worked hard for it and you now have a snazzy job title to show for your efforts.
(Not that you really enjoy what you do, or that you actually respect the people you work for. And, sometimes you do have to prop yourself up with an assortiment of pills to make it through the day or down a few glasses of red to unwind at night.)
But, hey, you’re making amazing money and you have a fabulous place to call home…!!
(Ok, it’s true that you don’t really have time to enjoy your fabulous home because of your crazy-busy ‘successful person’ schedule that kind of stresses the hell out of you.)
But come on, who wouldn’t want that life?!!!
2. Why you shouldn’t quit your job: you’re not a quitter!
You’re a tough cookie.
You’re a strong, driven, independent woman who skins crocodiles with her bare hands for breakfast!
(Ok, maybe I am making that part up. But, you know what I mean…)
You’re not a quitter!
(Quitters are losers anyway. And, you certainly are not one!!!)
So, when the going gets tough, you press forward, you go all the way, you give everything you’ve got.
You never quit. You just don’t!
Even if you’re miserable.
Even if you hate what you do…
Even if it’s starting to make you sick…
Even if your conscience is bothering you…
Even if you feel that you gone completely off-track…
You keep going because…
Well, because… quitters suck and quitters are losers!! And, you’re not a quitter…!!
3. You’re immortal!
Judging from appearances, your time on this planet is infinite.
This is certainly the reason why you can afford to waste a lifetime (or two!) doing something you couldn’t care less about (and which keeps you from your actual dreams).
Of course, when one has been graced with so many spare lifetimes, dreams can wait!
This also explains why you’re not concerned about the epidemics of depressions and suicides that affects ‘successful’ professionals such as lawyers and bankers.
These mundane matters do not affect you.
Thankfully, you’re different: you’re immortal.
You’re immune to all that…!!!
Is this your dream, really?
You’ve certainly realized that I was being facetious.
Obviously, I’m not seriously encouraging anyone to stay in a soul-crushing career because of perks and prestige, because of misguided notions of toughness and self-sacrifice or because that’s what’s expected from them.
This is what society expects.
Not me!! (I am the founder of Soulful Success, after all!)
Sadly, most people have bought into toxic notions of success (and self-sacrifice) and accepted the idea that it’s ok to lead lives that are slowly killing them.
Worse, they’ve been taught to follow dreams that are not truly theirs, and to ignore their own dreams and purpose for the benefit of receiving a few accolades in the form of a few letters to display behind their name, an impressive sounding title to place on their door, a more or less substantial financial compensation or a new promotion (which often means more hellish work, by the way…).
Obviously, I’m not seriously encouraging anyone to stay in a soul-crushing career because of perks and prestige!
Your life, your definitions!
The truth is success is something you define for yourself, not something that you allow society to define for you.
And, the first step in defining what success means to you is to start with what makes you happy.
For example:
Does success mean owning humongous house?
It depends!
Do you enjoy owning a humongous house (with all the responsibilities that come along with it!)?
Or, is it just what you believe is expected of you ?
Success could also mean living simply on the beach in harmony with Nature, teaching yoga on a farm if that’s what you’re into!
Self-preservation first!
Now, getting back to the idea of: ‘quitting’.
Quitting does shows lack of character… when you quit on something you believe in.
Not when you quit on something that is slowly killing you, something that you don’t even care about to boot!
In this situation quitting should more appropriately be referred to as self-preservation!!
Neglecting your health may seem normal when you’re surrounded by people who are propping their high-octane lifestyle with a diet of snacks and all sorts of (more or less legal) stimulants and downers.
However, your body and your health are your most priced possessions.
Your body is the only vehicle you have to experience this life.
There’s no second chance!
These matters of self-preservation need to be seriously weighted in in your definition of success. This is critical for your lasting happiness!
Quitting does shows lack of character… when you quit on something you believe in.
Not when you quit on something that is slowly killing you, something that you don’t even care about to boot!
Back to the roots!
My point is: when things don’t add up in your life, it’s probably time to subtract.
Therefore, that snazzy J.O.B that’s slowly destroying your soul may need to go at some point…
Now, I’m not suggesting that you storm into your boss’s office and hand over your resignation tomorrow.
This might not be the smartest move depending on your situation! Practical matters certainly need to be assessed and addressed first. (This self-preservation principle comes into play here as well…)
However, I would like to encourage you to pause and ponder ways to live a more fulfilling and meaningful life aligned with your soul-purpose and your own dreams.
And, to then establish a plan to implement those changes at a safe and comfortable pace.
Interestingly, experience has shown that life has a way of handling those pesky practical matters for you when you decide to stand up for ourselves.
And, these seemingly unsurmountable walls of obligations and concerns magicly fade away when the decision to level up our life is made. (It’s not really magic by the way!)
This should ease your mind if you’re concerned about the material side of things.
The world is waiting for you!
The final thing I’d like to remind you of is that you are special, you are unique, you have a unique mission, a unique set of skills and a unique set of gifts to share with the world.
And, the world is waiting for you to share your real contributions!
What did you really come here to do?
Toil and lose yourself in a pretty gilded cage?
Hmm, might not be it…
There’s something much grander and more magnificient waiting for you.
I can’t tell you what it’s, it’s for you to find out.
First, you have to decide that you’re done ignoring your happiness and living beneath your true purpose.
And, if you do make this decision and you’d like my support in finding out what your true purpose is and how bring it to life, I’d love to help you.
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