Independence Day
Written by Pat Perry
President, ERC
Only in America! How many times have you uttered those words or heard them in response to the great freedoms we enjoy in this country. I for one feel incredibly fortunate to have opportunities that would not be afforded to me and my family in most other countries on this good earth. Our Constitution continues to be challenged, but has stood the test of time well. Our forefathers certainly had great vision for the future.
The beauty of our freedom in America is the opportunity to control our destiny. For instance, how we earn a living is a choice. I have yet to meet someone who is truly being forced to work in a certain occupation or stay at a company or be satisfied with their compensation. Unfortunately over the past 29 plus years serving in human resources related jobs I have met hundreds of people who act as if a gun were pointed at their head forcing them to serve a "life sentence" of job dissatisfaction.
I remain perplexed as to why people stay in jobs they hate. "Living" for the weekend and only enjoying two out of every seven days is a tough road.
Retirement is often "sold" to us as the time of our lives when we are truly free to enjoy life. Let's see if I understand this concept. I'll trudge through life until I have enough money to get out of the "rat race". Then I can really enjoy every day. So let's see - if I work forty years and am fortunate to live a full retirement (about 25 years on average) I can look back an tell my grandchildren how great life was for about 2/5 of my adult life. Yea, right. I would not wish this on anyone.
Why not retire today (if you hate your job)! I propose to folks that they should not put off retirement from jobs where they are unhappy. When people are dissatisfied with their jobs, they suffer, their company, friends and family also suffer. Unbelievably, people even get killed over job dissatisfaction.
There is an interesting irony in our American culture. We publicize and encourage people to follow their dreams in this land of opportunity. On the other hand, our culture also encourages people to focus on the day when they don't have to do what they supposedly like to do anymore.
An ideal situation for many folks is to follow a path that allows them to live out their lives in a way that supports their passion. From people who love to lay brick to those who put out fires to those who buy and sell companies, a common denominator of their happiness is that their work is their passion. I am sure you have heard the saying, "love to work at work you love".
What a country!
If you bought sparklers for your July 4th celebration, you should light one up tonight. Either celebrate the fact that you are free from job dissatisfaction or make today your Independence Day! Perhaps one day you can look back and see the foresight you once had to enjoy the great freedom this land has to offer. What a finale!