Sometimes we enjoy our work but it’s not paying the bills. This leads to frustration and the desire to quit doing that work. Quitting your job is a reactive response. Doing this provides short-term relief but won’t solve the deeper problem. The underlying solution generally doesn't lie with those around you, as much as that may seem like what's going on is others' fault. While it's easy to blame others, it's been my experience that when you change, the situation around you is more likely to change. Some of the most dramatic changes can happen from changing your internal mindset towards your job and/or towards those around you, including your supervisor.

The biggest issue with loving your work but hating the pay is that it's typically hard to see what really needs to change, simply because you're too close to the situation. Often, clients have insisted that their pay is fixed and there was no way to increase it. Yet, they've found that learning to use their resources and skills differently and sometimes getting creative led to unexpected increases in pay. If you boss sees you a certain way and then is given substantive evidence that you have greater value than they first believed, your income may very well increase.

A client once told me that their job felt administrative in nature, and they wanted to leave. I asked them for a copy of their job description. As I read the description, it became apparent that the job was, in fact, a senior position, and they were treating it as administrative. With coaching guidance, they began doing the job differently. Within a few short months, their boss noticed, and promoted them to Executive Director of the organization. Often, there's more you can create from your existing job than you may realize.

I offer a complementary strategic consultation for those who qualify. You may contact me at [email protected]. Read Full Post