Hate your job, but can’t quit? Try this

At one point or another, most of us have stared at our computer screen and wondered: Is this it? For some, it’s a passing feeling. Yet, for others, that boredom turns into lingering dissatisfaction, leading to quiet quitting, or even walking away from a job entirely, which rarely solves the deeper problem. New data from Gallup shows that while only 30% of workers think it’s a good time to find a new job, more than half are actively looking anyway. In a decade and a half of working as a therapist, I’ve met a lot of smart, creative people who feel capable of more, if only they could figure out where to direct their energy. These restless souls (and I count myself among them) believe that we should work the same way we engage in life: fully and passionately. While the drive to learn and grow often serves us, it can also lead to stagnation. Most people see two options: (1) quitting or (2) sticking it out for the paycheck (“acting your wage”). Yet, there’s a third way where we can put our restlessness to good use while showing up with presence and finding more fulfillment in the work we’re doing right now. Get honest about what truly matters to you Those who often feel restless usually have many different interests and talents. But fulfillment doesn’t come from doing it all. It comes from alignment. Just because you’re good at something doesn’t mean you have to make it into a career, or even a hobby. Sometimes we excel at things out of habit, upbringing, or external validation, yet they don’t necessarily bring us purpose or fit into the picture of what we want for our life. I recently had a high-achieving client who was reevaluating his career path. He was experiencing a conflict between what he wanted and the logical and expected next step in his career. He was named valedictorian of his class, went to Ivy League institutions for two degrees, and landed a job only someone with his credentials could secure. Yet, after having a child, he felt overwhelmed with the demands