If You Hate Your Job…

I hate my job. 

I hear those words far too often. Well, maybe not those exact words, but the general attitude of angst toward work is extremely prevalent. And as that attitude begins to take root, it crosses the boundary and erodes our personal lives as well. If you feel that way about your job, you’ll begin to feel that way about your life.

On the other hand, many people accept the myth that professional success will automatically leak over into their personal life. What they find is that their bank account is full, but their heart is empty.

Whether you’re ignoring this problem altogether or whether you’re bloody from the fight, personal and professional abundance begin when you understand the correlation between the two.

Learning From My Day Job

For the last seven years, I have been an insurance agent. Truthfully, there’s nothing terribly exciting about it. In fact, one of my friends told me, “Matt, dealing with insurance is like going to the dentist.” (I wasn’t sure whether I should take offense or say thank you)

To combat this predisposition, I have tried to church up my profession by saying that I “protect your family’s standard of living” or “advise you on your overall insurance plan.” Those are great words and certainly benefits that I provide, but at the end of the day, I sell homeowners, auto, and life insurance.

When I began writing however, it seemed so fresh. It was drastically different from insurance and I was captivated by expressing myself in this new way.

Moreover, when people began telling me that my writing gave them hope—that it helped and encouraged them during a difficult time—I began to think that this might be a new career path. I loved feeling that sense of fulfillment, something I rarely felt in my insurance career.

Yet the more I thought about it, the more I felt trapped. It seemed as if I wasn’t doing what I loved at all.

Then, something happened that changed my perspective:

I received a call from our home office informing me that one of my insurance clients had passed away. I immediately thought about her life insurance policy and called her husband to begin processing the claim. The sorrow in his voice was real and I could hear his heartache as we discussed the details concerning his wife’s insurance policy.

I walked with him through this difficult time, but it was nothing special—I was just doing my job.

After our company had settled the expenses from the funeral service, there were some funds left over that I needed to deliver to my client. It was in his living room that day, watching him weep as I handed him the check, that it hit me:

I gave him hope today. I helped and encouraged him during a difficult time.

Yes, this is exactly what I was made to do.

My job wasn’t the problem, my attitude toward my job was.

Do Great Work

Now, you may not love your job and I’m not suggesting that you have to stay there forever. But I will say this, ingratitude for where you are will never create hopefulness for where you want to go.

In addition, your job, whatever it might be, is the natural place where you express who you are. It is the place where you live out, and actually act on, what you believe.

As a Christian, if I fail to take the image of Christ with me in what I do, I don’t fail my job, I fail God. My faith doesn’t just exist at church on Sunday or when I’m speaking to a youth group, my faith is lived out in the everyday.

As an author, if I forget to live out the principles I write about, then I fail—as a person and as an author. My writing isn’t meant to be a self-perpetuating system, it’s meant to inspire me to live what I write.

As an insurance agent, if I fail to invest in my clients and genuinely care for their needs, I’m failing to deliver on the promises I have made. It’s not about selling them something to sell them something, it’s about serving them.

Your job may seem menial and redundant, but it is the place where you will continue to be built up into the person you are becoming. It’s not your job that keeps you from growing, it’s your attitude toward your job that holds you back.

In Ephesians, Paul writes:

“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

So today, do the good work that He has prepared you to do—wherever that might be.

Yes, even insurance. Especially insurance.

MH

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About the Author

headshot-footerMatt Ham is dedicated to guiding others toward rich living. His own experiences have led him to the understanding and freedom of a rich life, and through his RICH Principles he helps folks uncover true richness, identifying real treasure and discovering true joy and contentment.

His first book, Redefine Rich, is a journey of uncovering a deeper, more fulfilling life by shifting your perspective. It is available in both Kindle and paperback on Amazon: here

You can order a limited hardback version of the book at www.redefinerich.com

To contact Matt, visit www.mattham.com/speaking

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10 Responses to If You Hate Your Job…

  1. Zechariah Newman April 22, 2015 at 3:28 pm #

    Yes! Sounds so similar to my experience. I have fallen in love with my restaurants again.
    Thanks for confirmation Matt;)

    • Matt Ham April 23, 2015 at 5:11 am #

      It’s really encouraging to hear that Zech. Keep living out of the ‘and’–the world needs it.

  2. Rick Theule April 22, 2015 at 3:30 pm #

    Great post Matt. You know I’ve been experiencing a similar journey. I’m glad I get to walk this path with you. Keep up the great work.

    • Matt Ham April 23, 2015 at 5:10 am #

      Prayers for you at the dealership today, brother!

  3. Curiouser Editing April 22, 2015 at 3:54 pm #

    Probably one of your best posts yet! Thank you for sharing your heart and soul with us. “My job wasn’t the problem, my attitude toward my job was.”

    • Matt Ham April 23, 2015 at 5:10 am #

      Thanks, Shayla 🙂

      The truth is always best!

  4. Steven Tessler April 22, 2015 at 5:29 pm #

    You’re so correct with this post. I need to have a better attitude at work and continue working on leaving where I am so I can do what I need to do.

    I also have to remember that wherever I work I have to choose to have a great attitude towards it.

    • Matt Ham April 23, 2015 at 5:09 am #

      Steve – So glad this was an encouragement to you. Carry that light and energy with you wherever you go.

  5. Scott Maderer April 26, 2015 at 6:45 pm #

    Matt,

    This post hits me hard. I’ve been in a job that I love and hate at the same time. I love the challenge and my team but I hate the larger picture and the way the company has stopped valuing people. For me the conflict is between my values and the companies values not aligning anymore with my values. I know it’s only a matter of time before I either have to leave or see a change there. I’ve had serious conversations with them about my concerns and I know I’ll have to find a way to align my values to what I do. At the same time it’s hard to move on because I’ve poured so much into this job. I’m loyal and know it’s important work, but I also am becoming increasingly convinced that I’ll have to move on. I fear moving on and not being able to provide for my family yet I fear even more staying and losing myself to their values instead of mine.

    Thanks for a post that really made me think.

    • Matt Ham April 27, 2015 at 6:01 am #

      Brother, I know this tension and this post is my reflection on similar challenges. Understand that nothing can steal your values, you can only choose to give them up. Choose courage in the midst of adversity and keep walking. Keep knocking, keep seeking, keep asking–He will respond.