Dear Friends,

This week we are launching two new newsletter features. I receive so many questions in my inbox, and rather than answer them privately, I felt it would be useful to publish some of these problems and their solutions in the Ask Sam section. We will also be doing a monthly “The Book Shelf” section which will feature some of my favorite new releases.

Enjoy! 

Hi Sam!

I was fortunate to snag what I considered a "dream job" about two years ago at a Fortune 50 company. The job included a 40% salary increase from what I was making, I work from home two days per week, there's little overtime, great benefits, my manager is easy to work with and I have less than a 10 minute commute to the office. Sounds fantastic, right? However, there's one big problem. I hate the actual job. It's redundant and boring, and the work is not particularly suited to my strengths and skill set. 

So what should I do? Am I just burned out? Should I start focusing more on the positives? Can I learn to love a job I hate?

- Bored to Tears, Bridgewater, NJ

Dear Bored to Tears,

Those perks and salary sound great but they won’t compensate for unhappiness and boredom. You deserve to have your inner flame ignited. If you are spending eight hours a day in a job you hate, it is impossible to live up to your potential. You have been in this company for two years which is a respectable amount of time. Given that you are in a Fortune 50 company, your best bet is to take advantage of its size and move departments and positions within the company. This will be an easy transition in terms of commute and culture. If Plan A doesn’t work, look outside of the company.  It is easier to get a job when you already have a job, so now is the time to find your next great position. 

In life, in love, and in work, never settle for boredom.

xoSam

 

Whether you are partnered or single, set aside time to decide what the family culture looks like and what the rules should be. This is a fun and exciting way to embark on the rest of your parenting journey and establish a foundation for you to return to. Once complete, involve kids in the Family Constitution and update it regularly. 

With a strong culture in place, kids gain confidence and pride in where they came from, becoming more connected with you. The tighter the familial bond, the greater their respect for you and the family, and the easier for parenting becomes. 

Once you establish your family culture, communicate it clearly to any sitters, nannies, or anyone else who watches your kids. Just as you would with a list of emergency contacts or a grocery list, pass along the Family Constitution.

Like every slice of your pie, this is a work in progress, but by being intentional in your parenting, you are going to proactively create the culture you desire and all of that up-front hard work will pay off in spades down the line.