Exit a Dead-End Job 8: Surrender to the Monotony

This continues our series to help all of you who feel trapped in a dead-end job to find an exit

Darren occupied a dead-end job. It brought no joy, satisfaction, or fulfillment. He stayed in the job for the pension. Management failed to promote him four times. He did not receive assignments to key project teams. He found it difficult to stay engaged in his job. He spent 16 years in the same job, with little change, and no promotion in sight. Within 10 years, he lost his motivation and began just putting in his time. Performance and morale dropped within the operation he managed. Finally, management eased him into early retirement.

Reasons to Surrender to the Monotony

In previous posts we discussed several alternatives if you feel trapped in a dead-end job. You may attempt one or all of the options, and still find yourself stuck. Frequently, multiple unsuccessful attempts to exit a dead-end job engender feelings of despair, hopelessness, and futility.

These feelings can lead you to surrender to the monotony and lack of job fulfillment because

• Management passes you over for multiple promotions
• All the positions above you remain filled by people who will not leave for years
• Constant rejection for promotions makes you feel unproductive, unwanted, and useless so you cannot imagine anyone else wanting to offer you a good job
• Your job leaves you too fatigued and exhausted to do anything after hours
• You receive an excellent salary, benefit package, and retirement pension; but your salary exceeds the maximum allowed by the salary range
• The benefits and pension give more long-term income than the raises you will receive
• Surrendering requires less effort than trying to artificially motivate yourself

Consequences of Surrendering

Surrendering also generates consequences of its own:

• Monotony drains your energy, enthusiasm, and motivation to go to work
• Not only do you drag yourself to work, but life loses excitement at home
• Lack of motivation decreases productivity and team morale so you are less attractive for promotion
• Self-worth, self-esteem, and hope plummet

Friday we explore how to negotiate more challenge and fulfillment with management