The Work Awakening

The Great Resignation. The Great Reshuffle. Many have been grasping at exactly how best to articulate these weird times in the workforce.

Over 38 million workers quit their jobs during 2021 (8.6 million during September-October alone!). Why?

Analysts credit everything from wages and work perks to flexible and hybrid working models. The grass might actually be greener from one company to the next as they engage in a mighty battle of benefits. From pet insurance to extending parental leaves and tossing out antiquated definitions of words like, 'parent'. They're all racing to be perkiest.

While I'm very supportive of these changes in the industry (and SO long overdue! Why did it take a global pandemic to give our best to our employees?), I think we all know that none of those wonderful perks or benefits have anything to do with why people quit or choose to work somewhere new. It's not that extra dollar an hour or the logo swag.

It's not the head. It's the heart, y'all!

Indeed surveyed over 1,000 people who had quit at least two jobs since the pandemic began. 92% of those surveyed agreed, "the pandemic made them feel like life is too short to stay in a job they weren't passionate about".

The age-old sentiment, 'live like you're dying'. It's reminded us what matters most.

While it took a global health crisis to motivate us, last year had all the crunchy, gritty qualities of a last straw... and every ending brings a new beginning...

It feels like a Work Awakening. The death of procrastination when it comes to chasing our dreams. The disappearance of any tolerance we may have had for spending our time on things that don't fulfill us. Lowered bullshit thresholds and the abrupt loss of our interest in being inauthentic. The birth of an age of meaningful improvements. The dawn of our ability to prioritize joy. The reprioritization of reasons we stay and go. The primal pull toward work that matches our personal value identities. We won't settle for work/life balance. We demand work/life integration. Work as an extension of who we truly are. Jobs that feel meaningful. The courage to become the change we want to see in the world.

The Work Awakening is the catalyst for our reshuffles and resignations. Like catching a yawn, we'll inspire each other to let who we truly are, lead us.

If you're a job seeker, remember that heart is the competitive edge. Do what you feel connected to, not what you feel obligated to. One person's voluntarily vacated seat is another person's dream job.

Employers, we aren't saying we don't appreciate all the new work perks. Keep it up! :)