Savage law: overcoming post holiday blues
Encore’s agony uncle Chris Savage tackles your agency dilemmas in his weekly advice column.
Hi Chris,
I’ve been back in the office for less than a week after a relaxing holiday break and my stress levels are already higher than before I left. I’m tempted to give my notice. Should I quit or just put this down to post-holiday comedown?
Quit? QUIT??? Are you made of putty? Listen: business is tough. It is always tough. And hear this: it is going to get tougher and tougher. That’s the way of the world. Pressure is a constant and rather than quit, get really, really good at managing the pressure and managing the stress. Your next job is going to be equally stressful (unless you become a monk, right). So work on your resilience rather than your CV.
Bollocks to that! I had high blood pressure and massive stress in my previous role. I found a new job for slightly less cash but way less hours and hassle. I feel amazing, I see more of the people I love and my life hasn’t been this balanced and awesome in years.
If your work is making you miserable, don’t ask, “What’s wrong with me?” ask, “What’s wrong with this job?” Life’s too short to waste it burning out at work.
If you get holiday blues, then you need to find a new job. A job is part of your life and you should really enjoy it. Look around until you find a job you love and make sure it fits in with your life and not the other way around.
In this technology age corporate bollox is slowly fading away. Offices are becoming obsolete and slave drivers are getting found out.
Set the terms at the outset…interview stage 1. I did. My previous two roles, before the interview even got going, I put on the table two things that weren’t negotiable. Salary and Work/Life balance (that’s right for me). Then, I politely asked whether either would be a problem, and if so, then I wouldn’t waste their time by proceeding with the interview.
If you don’t ask, you don’t get.
On another note, I really believe if you’re working late every night, stressed-out and unhappy, then one of two things is happening…
1. Your employer is taking the piss
2. You’ve reached your level of incompetence and should re-think your role.
idk Chris I think being a Monk would be kind of stressy all that itchy wool and cold breezy stone and silence.
Have to say though Dear Reader if you’re being battered by the wooden oar of work-life there is nothing better for you to read than Martin Seligman’s book Authentic Happiness. The best.