According to a poll by Gallup (2017) of the World’s 1 billion full-time employees, only 15% of them are engaged at work. That’s a staggering 85% of workers who aren’t engaged at work. By engaged, we can assume it to mean enthusiasm about their work, the company, and the company culture. To wake up every morning and look forward to work. That’s a shocking amount of people who don’t like their jobs.
For a lot of people, changing their jobs or careers, or leaving the workplace to become self-employed is a far-off dream. There can be a lot of factors involved, not least of all the security of having a job compared to the unknown. It can also be a question of complacency. Having a secure job is far easier than quitting and starting out on your own.
What options are there if you hate your job?
If you enjoy what you do then you might just be happier working for a different company. You could well be working your dream career but your present job just isn’t a good fit. Consider making a list of pros and cons about your job. Then make a list of pros and cons about the company you work for. Do these lists tell you whether it’s the job you hate, or the company you work for, or both? If it’s both, then perhaps a change of career might be on the cards.
If you’re tired of the workplace then you might be happier setting up your own business. Depending on the nature of what you do, you could set yourself up as a freelancer or consultant, or grow a company with employees.
Setting up your own business
This isn’t for the faint-hearted.
If you’re setting yourself up as a freelancer, you might be able to build up your client base in your spare time before quitting your job. There’s a lot to consider before taking that leap into freelancing, take a look at our pros and cons list. You’ll need a plan, savings to tide you over for at least the first 6 months, and you’ll need to learn how to promote and sell your services. It can, however, be incredibly rewarding.
If you are aiming bigger and want to start a larger business, then you’ll need a business plan, financial backing, premises, do your market research, set up a registered company, insurance, a business structure, employees, equipment, a website, and a good marketing strategy. You’ll probably also want to partner with someone who will help get your startup off the ground. The harder of the 2 options with a lot more to lose but that shouldn’t put you off if it is what you want to do.
Change your career
This is also not an easy option as you will probably have to start over again which can be hard if you’ve spent the last 20 years in a career. Be prepared to take training courses and a lower salary when you start. You’ll also have to get used to being the inexperienced new guy.
This is probably the ideal option if you’re forced into it by losing your job, or you have enough savings or financial stability to make a change in career work.
It can be risky as your new career might not be as good as you hoped so it’s important to do your research first so you know what you’re letting yourself in for. You may have the option to start training in your spare time before you quit your current career if you have the time and money. You may also be able to do freelance work for your new chosen career on the side.
Start a side hustle or two
There are tonnes of options for side hustles and it’s possible to run them in your spare time giving you extra cash. What you do with the extra money is up to you but you could use it to save up for financial freedom to quit your job. Just be aware that you may have to declare your extra earnings to the tax man.
Suggestions for side hustles include:
- Filling in surveys
- Matched betting (if you’re in the UK)
- Selling on sites like Ebay, Etsy, Redbubble, Amazon marketplace
- Setting up an affiliate site
- Become an Instagram Influencer
- Setup a YouTube channel
- Setup a blog and monetise it
- Blog on sites like Medium (affiliate link) and Vocal
- Freelance and sell your services on sites like Upwork
- Invest in stocks and shares
- Invest in cryptocurrency
- Write on Quora
- Become a mystery shopper
- Start a business on the side
- Dropshipping
- Rent out your driveway, a room, a flat or house
Final thoughts
It might require a shift in mindset to get yourself out of the job you hate and into one you love or onto a new path of financial freedom but you need to take action to turn your dreams into reality. Schedule in time to make the steps and get into the routine of taking action.
For some people, circumstances may mean they have no other option but to work the job they hate. One thing you can do in that situation is never stop looking for opportunities and acting upon one if you find it – you never know when an opportunity might come knocking that could change your life.
Note that some links may be marked as affiliate links. These are either referral or affiliate links which when used, earns me money.
