Thinking of quitting your job? Don’t until you consider this factor
You know that stinging sensation you get when your coworker gets the promotion that you thought was yours? Or that sinking feeling of doom when you realize that a new hire could take over your role? Most likely, that voice within will tell you: “You’re falling behind.” You are, however, likely ignoring an important emotional experience happening at the same time. It’s envy: simply wanting…
Feeling envious of a coworker's promotion or a new hire taking over your role? That's envy, an emotion we all experience and often suppress without realizing it. While it's normal to envy someone's success, it's important to examine this feeling before making any significant career decisions. Prematurely jumping ship can be a costly mistake, often referred to as "premature game switching."
Envy actually has a purpose: it alerts us to what we truly desire and helps us avoid confusion. By breaking down envy into four components—similar target, intangible desire, relevant comparison, and negative emotion—we can better understand our motivations. Instead of immediately looking for a new job or career path, consider channeling your envy into actionable steps.
Ask yourself what tiny activities could bring you closer to your goals. Whether it's improving your financial skills or mentoring others, directing your envy toward meaningful work can lead to greater job satisfaction and a positive impact on those around you.
Written by urgent.news from Fast Company's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
