5 Warning Signs That the 9-to-5 Grind Isn’t For You
Many people hail cushy corporate jobs as the pinnacle of career success. Despite the hype, working a traditional 9-to-5 isn’t always the best way to make the most of your talent. Those who have drive, ambition, and passion may feel stifled by a desk job’s monotony and rigid structure. Luckily, those same qualities are the secret ingredients needed to flourish in a self-regulated career.
Now more than ever, the availability and popularity of creative and travel-friendly jobs have skyrocketed. If you’ve ever dreamt of striking out on your own, now is the time to consider ditching your day job for a more rewarding path. Here are a few signs that a 9-to-5 isn’t meant for you.
What next?
If you resonate with any of the signs below, you might want to avoid the burnout of a traditional job. Instead, consider finding a travel-friendly career with a flexible schedule. Jobs in bartending, freelancing, hospitality, and travel nursing all allow you to choose when and where you want to be working.
Travel nursing is particularly unique for those yearning for more power over their schedule, as healthcare jobs often have strict agendas. If work-life balance sounds appealing, job marketplaces such as these can set aspiring medical professionals on the fast track to 9-to-5-free living.
You want your work to have a direct impact
Corporate jobs can often leave you feeling like a cog in a machine. Your work contributes to the company overall, but you may not get the chance to see any direct benefits. Finding a job where you are in total control can be more rewarding. Being on the ground level allows you to see the whole nature and value of your hard work, even if it’s as small as a smile or compliment.
You like being creative
You would be hard-pressed to find a job that didn’t come with specific rules and workflows. The cage put around your ideas makes it incredibly difficult to flex your creative muscle. Opting for a freelancing or travel-based job makes it easier to exercise a little creative freedom when it comes to the work you do. Hobbies in photography, DIY, art, or baking can easily be turned into monetized products or consulting work.
You want to be your own boss
If you would rather listen to nails on a chalkboard than have to report to someone else, a 9-to-5 probably isn’t for you. Not wanting a lot of overhead doesn’t necessarily mean that you have a lousy relationship with authority figures, just that you might be more effective at managing yourself than being controlled by someone else. The need to be in charge is especially prevalent in those that want to start their own business or find a job where there’s no pressure of someone constantly looking over your shoulder.
You want more control of your schedule
Relying on a limited PTO bank doesn’t allow for much travel or necessary time off. You may want to include more adventures in your life, spend more time with your family, or need more versatility to accommodate an illness or injury. Whatever your situation, dump the idea of having to save up your time off and take your schedule by the reigns. Having a heavier grip on your day-to-day makes it easier to carve out the type of life you want.
Wrap up
Don’t let your hobbies and passions go to waste on a suffocating 9-to-5 job. Develop your skills and put them to good use by looking into non-traditional jobs that can better utilize them. Finding the freedom to travel and use your creativity is more rewarding in the long run.
