Changing Jobs: Closing The Door And Moving On!

There are a number of reasons for leaving a job.

People leave jobs to move on to something ‘better’, or because of illness, retrenchment or retirement.

Other reasons can relate to workplace bullying, or a partner being transferred in their employment.

I recently left a job after eighteen years, and although I instigated the move, there has still been a sense of ‘what do I do now’, and a sense of loss!

I originally took the job on as a temporary ‘fill in’ to help make ends meet while we started our business. It was a casual position to begin with, but as time went on, it demanded more of my time.

I enjoyed my time there, and it was good to us, enabling us to buy and sell property, as well as providing a great standard of living.

I was also able to continue my studies at the same time, increase my skill levels and gain qualifications that I would otherwise not have had.

Over the past few months though, I had become more and more uncomfortable there, and for my wife, at times a real pain in the butt.

I’d come to realise that any dreams that I had of writing full time, and travelling were slowly being crushed by the daily grind.

I guess the sense of loss is due to the fact that our jobs become so much a part of our everyday lives, that we begin to use them as a badge of identity.

Don’t believe me? Next time you introduce yourself to someone, listen to how you do it, and what you say.

Over the years I have pulled people up when they’ve said ‘I’m just a secretary’ or ‘I’m only a technician’. You can insert any occupation you like there.

My name is Allan. I’m a husband, father, brother and son.

I enjoy writing, reading, meditation, prayer, bush walking, rugby, gazing at the stars, standing in awe as I watch the sunset over the mountains or the ocean.

By the way, I also do what I have to in order to support my family, whether that work is in the health field and counselling, as it once was, driving a truck, writing or cleaning toilets!

My identity isn’t in what I do, but in who I am as a human being, in what I teach and impart to my children, and in how I participate in my community.

I realise that this subject can fill volumes, rather than just one article, and I also point out that I am not an expert as such.

My previous job brought me into contact with people from all sections of (Australian) society, including those who for one reason or another weren’t working at all.

These are the ones that I feel are most affected by lack of self esteem, and unless they are actively involved in some activity can go downhill very fast.

My own father worked part time until he was eighty, and almost until the day he died, still did odd jobs to keep himself occupied.

How about you? Is your job your identity? What are your dreams for the future…?

To quote my friend Ric Raftis ‘Is your job your identify, a label you use for yourself? Labels are for jam jars, not for people….’