This post was originally posted at Words for Hire by Karen Swim, but I loved it so much I just had to steal it (with her permission, of course 
)
***
How was your vacation? “Oh man it was great,” she offered with obvious joy in her voice. She then hesitated and her voice dropped, “but it was a mistake to take off two weeks because now I don’t want to go back to work.”
Every Friday night, Eva leaves the office with a bounce on her step. By Saturday afternoon, she is counting the dreaded hours to Monday morning. By Sunday night she is so miserable that she is unable to enjoy the remaining hours of her weekend as she thinks about returning to work on Monday morning. Eva has Sunday Syndrome.
Sunday Syndrome is one of the many glaring signs that it is time to evaluate your job. Over the years I have seen the syndrome so often that I can spot the signs even in absence of the words being spoken. You may be surprised how many people have traded “job security” for happiness. They convince themselves that it is easier to remain with the devil you know than to jump headfirst into the unknown. They are wrong.
Staying in a job that makes you miserable is an injustice to both you and your employer. You’re showing up and doing the work but believe it or not you and your employer deserve better. Your employer wants people who identify, improve, reduce, grow and generally contribute value to the organization. You want to be stimulated, challenged and engaged. When you and your employer are aligned, you both win.
Assess what really bothers you about your job. Is it the work or the environment? Are the deadlines and demands overwhelming or are you so bored that counting paint chips would be more exciting? Is it the company culture or just your department?
What do you like about your job? What tasks would you gladly perform even if they were not part of your job?
The obvious cure is to change your job, and if the company, culture and work are what’s ailing you then this is the path you should choose. However, many people fail to explore a less obvious but often viable option - change your job but keep the company.
Job roles and descriptions are not written in stone. Do you have ideas that will improve efficiency? Are there unfulfilled needs that you can manage in addition to your current duties? Can you volunteer for a special project? Are there unmet needs that would result in a newly created position? Prepare a written plan and present it to your supervisor. You should treat this as you would a formal interview for a brand new job. Identify the pros and cons and be prepared with answers. Assess the costs and the return on investment. If your supervisor is not immediately sold on the idea, propose a trial period in which you can measure the results and meet at the end of the period to discuss.
Whether you propose a brand new job, or modifications to your current one, you will never know what is possible until you ask.
11 Responses to “Dazed and Dissatisifed in Corporate America”
Leave a Reply
Please join in the conversation and leave a comment - I’d love to hear from you!
I’m a fan of being the change you want to see.
Life’s not static. Jobs aren’t either, unless you stagnate. I regularly reinvent myself and the job … I try to grow and groom the job the same way I grow myself. It’s a challenge, but that’s the joy.
J.D. Meier´s last blog post..Precision Questions and Precision Answers
I recall working a contract at a place going through a massive redundancy campaign. People were shocked and felt let down. I realised that they saw the work as “You give me a job so I feel safe, and I’ll show up every day.”
I’ve never been able to stomach a job that didn’t have a deadline. I’m working through the stuff inside that says “You should do a regular job” so I can make the stuff I really want to do happen. It does make me sad that so many people think they’re making an exchange for security - when it doesn’t even exist.
Joely Black (@TheCharmQuark on Twitter)´s last blog post..This is the post I keep meaning to write but somehow don’t
Hi,
I’ve always said, Someday I want to volunteer for Habitat for Humanity.
Last night I dreamt about it. It’s been narrowed down to someday this year!
Tess The Bold Life´s last blog post..12 Bold Ideas For a Happy Marriage
Great choice of re-post Alex!
Karen, I used to have Sunday syndrome so bad it woud throw a backward shadow over the whole of Sunday, and by the time the evening came my stomach was full of dread.
I am *so* glad I’m not there anymore, nor will I ever allow myself to live like that again.
Joanna Young´s last blog post..Audacious Writing Goals for 2009
Yes, it’s not a coincidence that Sunday Syndrome and Someday Syndrome even SOUND similar, eh?
Andy Hayes´s last blog post..Travel Tales from a Web Professional
I’ve had really bad Sunday syndrome. And your right - never dismiss the possibility of changing jobs internally!
I wrote about it here:
http://myrope.wordpress.com/2008/09/13/one-ball-rolling/
and i’m going to write an update soon - asking for more and different work has had a lot of different consequences : )
kazari´s last blog post..A wish for commitment
@J.D.
Unfortunately not many people actually think about their jobs once they’ve landed them. It’s like they turn on the autopilot and forget that they (and the job) changes over time.
@Joely
There are times when making the security exchange is important to some people. It all depends on what choices we make and what are our priorities.
@Tess
I used to say the same thing when I lived in Toronto but there was always some reason not to (usually time-related). Good for you for bringing the someday closer.
@Joanna
I too used to suffer from Sunday Syndrome which is why Karen’s article resonated with me so well. I’ve been there and I know many others have.
@Andy
No coincidence whatsoever I’m certain!
@Kazari
Good for you for taking initiative and asking to change your job rather than leave a company you enjoy working for.
I had that problem at a previous job and my husband finally talked me into leaving. He said that I was spending all the free time I had (nights & weekends) dreading the next day of work. So there was no point…unlike having a sucky job that you can mentally drop when you’re not there.
Resigning was like stepping out into the sunshine after being in a room without windows (which our office was, actually…). Even made the last 2 weeks pretty good.
Ruth´s last blog post..If You Can’t Be Compassionate To Yourself…
@Ruth
Good for you. I had a job like that. As I walked from the bus stop to the office, my stomach would tighten until I’d want to throw up…
What a fabulous photo!
Although I work for myself, I still suffer Sunday Syndrome from time to time–and I’ve definitely found it’s a sign that it’s time to reevaluate and renegotiate (with myself). Usually, it comes up after an especially long project that’s nowhere near done yet when I’ve worked past my patience for urgency. So, the idea that you don’t have to actually *quit* to fix things has definitely held true for me, and it’s always a welcome reminder. Thanks!
Jessica @ThriveYourTribe´s last blog post..Have You Been Led to Believe These Loathsome Publishing Lies?
@Jessica
I too suffer from it sometimes, but only after a really great weekend where I’ve relaxed and had a great time with friends. Then I get all resentful about having to do things like pay rent and buy groceries.