Signs you don't belong to your Full Time Job

You wake up for the office every day, no matter how you feel. Whether it's humid, cold, or raining heavily, you need to get ready and reach your office. You take rickshaws and the metro for your 9 o'clock job, so you have to leave your place by 7:30. You realize it's only Wednesday, and you feel relieved that the weekend is just two days away. Working from home during the pandemic hasn't made things any easier.

You don't hate your job, but you don't love it either. Whether you're paid well or not you only know that , you know you deal with office politics and do the same work every day. You often daydream, wishing you were somewhere else, doing something different. Thoughts like, "What am I doing with my life?" and "Do I really belong here?" often pop into your head.

You feel like you belong somewhere else but dismiss it as just a dream and keep going. Deep down, you're losing yourself, knowing you're meant to do something different, something less boring, something that truly excites you.

Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do." - Steve Jobs

Well, what if you do something to bridge the gap between your dreams and your reality ?

But let's first find out if you are a “ Misfit “

1.You are always trying to escape from your current reality

We all escape or daydream; it’s normal, especially these days when everyone shares their wins on social media. Some are vacationing, some are buying new houses or cars. Until my MBA, I didn't even know my reality; I was just running because everyone else was. But 2020 gave me, and I think all of us, enough time to think about what we really want. I took the time and realized that I didn't like the work I was forced into to fit in and meet those deadlines. No, I didn't want that.

It’s okay to escape or daydream, but if your thoughts consistently involve seeking a drastic change, take some time for yourself and reevaluate.

Here’s What You Can Do

Listen to your daydreams.

I cannot emphasize enough how powerful your inner voice can be.

Three years ago, after completing an internship in content writing while working as a full-time HR trainee, I realized I wanted to pursue a career in writing and content creation. I had always loved reading and writing but didn’t know it could be a career. I took some time to explore this path and began earning a good amount from projects. It was clear to me then that I wanted to continue this work. I decided I would not pursue it as a full-time job; instead, I wanted to live life on my own terms and do what I love.

Your daydreams might not be telling you to change your entire lifestyle but could be pointing you toward a job you’re more passionate about or a skill you’d like to develop. Pay attention to those cues instead of getting lost.

2.You change your entire personality for the world

Most of you must have watched the movie “Tamasha,” and those who don't fit in can relate to it deeply. You try to wear a mask for society to impress others, but inside, you are someone else entirely. Maybe you are an outspoken, bubbly, carefree person, but you are forced to change your personality because of a world that judges you at every step. You might have a passion for dancing, writing, cooking, traveling—anything—but you’re forcing yourself to live a life that isn’t meant for you.

3.What meant for others may not meant for you

You feel heavy everyday what may seem normal to others may not seem to you.Living independently after 18 is common in the West but a cultural shock in India. Similarly, a corporate job might be standard for many but not for you. Maybe you crave a start-up vibe or a switch from FMCG to tech to media or you simply want to build something of your own.

4.You Question Things

I began questioning society and the industry. I didn’t want to work hard just for a poor appraisal. I couldn't see myself spending the rest of my life working 8–10 hour days. I didn’t have the desire to be cunning and climb the corporate ladder.

Here’s What You Can Do

“Identify your problems, but give your power and energy to solutions.” — Tony Robbins

If something's bothering you, address it. Life's too short for regrets.

Ask yourself:

What's bothering me?

What would I rather be doing?

How can I make it happen?

Books can help too. Reading Unlimited Power by Tony Robbins helped me understand what I want and how to achieve it.

5.You Seek Higher-Level Fulfillment

You might be doing great in your job, but you're constantly searching for something more fulfilling. Appraisals and recognition are nice, but they somehow feel incomplete. When you love what you do, it's a blessing—you feel whole and eager to conquer everything because you truly enjoy your work.

Here’s What You Can Do

This is a great mindset to have. Keep nurturing these feelings and make time for the things you love. Whether you're a full-time student or have a full-time job, having a side hustle can help.

I began writing because I was passionate about it, and I enjoyed it so much that I kept going. It not only helped me earn money but also boosted my confidence, which I had been lacking. I wouldn't have pursued it if I hadn't felt this way.

6.You Don’t Give Your 100%

Even though you know you have the potential, you're not fully committed to your job. The reason is a lack of motivation. You’re not driven to excel in this role, and even the rewards, no matter how tempting, aren’t enough to inspire your best effort.

There are two types of motivation:

Extrinsic Motivation: This is reward-driven behavior. If there's a known reward tied to the outcome, it motivates you to pursue it. For example, working for a paycheck or competing in sports for a trophy.

Intrinsic Motivation: This comes from within, fulfilling psychological needs. It involves engaging in activities for their own sake, without external rewards. For example, playing sports because you love it or cooking because you enjoy it.

Your lack of motivation doesn't mean you're lazy or incapable; it just means you're in the wrong environment. You're a star waiting to shine in the right setting. Discover where you can truly excel.

If you love your work then count it as blessings - Richa

Hehe i know I am not that famous but I truly believe that if you love the work you do then it's a blessing.

Here’s what you can do:

Find where you truly excel by continuously experimenting. If you're interested in marketing, start learning online and see if it energizes you. If art is your passion, create art in your spare time and observe if that’s where you dedicate your full effort.

You’ll give your 100% when you discover your flow, and you’ll find your flow only through action.

Finally

Being a misfit isn’t wrong; it’s a tremendous advantage and a great place to be. I wanted to pursue my MBA, so I did. I wanted to go into HR, so I did. Maybe I didn’t know about any other path that existed.