Love Your Job

Afterword

As I was writing this book, I joked with friends that this was my “suck it up” book. And in many ways, that’s true. I’ve spent so much time in recent years counseling and encouraging workers who are struggling to find work that when I meet those who are gainfully employed and hear them complaining about their job, their boss, or their coworkers, I think, “Come on.”

Stop it. Be a positive problem solver. Dwelling on the negative zaps your spirit and gets you labeled as a “complainer.” That kind of reputation clings to you.

Never gossip. Play nicely with others and stay calm and poised, at least for the world to see. You need to manage your career like it’s the most important business assignment that has ever been placed in your hands. Do it with grace.

Be grateful—you have a job. Make it work for you. If you’re unhappy, do something about it. You’re not a victim. If you really are miserable, quit. But you’d better be sure to have an exit strategy.

Quitting should be the last straw, however. Finding a new job when you are of a certain age can be daunting, as I write about in Great Jobs for Everyone 50+: Finding Work that Keeps You Happy and Healthy … and Pays the Bills. And it takes longer than you can possibly imagine.

Changing jobs or starting your own business can be enormously rewarding, as I explore in What’s Next? Finding Your Passion and Your Dream Job in Your Forties, Fifties, and Beyond. But that leap is not something everyone can tackle and succeed at over ...