As 2021 approaches and we say goodbye to this year of whatever best adjective you would like to use to describe it (crazy, scary, uncertain, historical) and it’s a good time to reflect and assess if you are happy in your “workin” life. As a leader I conducted a poll to see how my directors currently felt about their job and why, if they do, feel valued? Here are the answers they gave me.
Do you love your job? This is the question that I challenge you to ask yourself as you roll the clock over on NYE. If not, why? As you can see that most important lean toward work-life balance and not how much someone makes. Who would have thought buying them lunch meant so much? I guess if I didn’t ask I wouldn’t’ have known, make mental note to keep buying lunch. There are a million articles, statistics, facts that I can find for you that state people do not stay for money they stay because they feel appreciated and valued. How do you feel?
That seems basic and simple, right? Everyone should feel appreciated at their work but does your leader/boss/supervisor appreciate you? Do they tell you often? If not, why? Here’s why I LOVE my job and I know it sounds cliché but I really do. I can sum it up pretty quickly, they respect me, and I have work-life balance. Sounds simple but it’s what makes me put in 110% every day. My kids come first but that doesn’t mean that I don’t miss things, that would be unrealistic, I have 3 kids which means triple the fun, but it does mean that I am there for ALL the important things and to me that’s what makes me tick. I never understood how someone could stay at a job that they weren’t happy at and it definitely isn’t for me. Sitting in the front row for the 3rd grade musical, when they stick that perfect routine or hit a clench hit makes it all worth it. I want my kids to look back and say they felt supported and we were there when it counted. Life is way too short, also cliché but so true. This may not be why you love your job, there could be so many reasons, which can be way deeper than mine. But find what makes you tick and love what you do.
Soooooo what to do about it? I know this isn’t an easy thing to change but it’s a new year why not make it a new you. Ask yourself, am I happy at my job? Do I love my job? Am I respected and do I feel valued? If not, then start the change. Set your expectations high and go in with what’s important to you. Be prepared to negotiate and put value on yourself!
You’re worth it!
-Mollie Blixt
Owner/Vice President of Operations of The Learning Experience Gurnee, The Learning Experience Independence, The Learning Experience South Lyon and The Learning Experience South Lyon West
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