Quiet Quitting is the Newest Trend in Pushing Back Against Demanding Bosses, Irrational Deadlines, and Less Pay For More Work
It’s also the fastest way to commit career suicide
If you missed your chance to be a part of the Great Resignation, take heart.
You can still express your job dissatisfaction by becoming a “quiet quitter.”
It means modifying your commitment to your career. And no, we’re not talking about taking on more responsibility — just the opposite. You cut back on your time and dedication to your work. You do the absolute minimum.
“Quiet quitting refers to the personal decision to quit putting in too much effort at work.” Amy Morin, a psychotherapist quoted from an interview with FOX Business
Here’s an example . . .
You’re ill-matched to your job. You took it because you needed the money, or the work appeared easy, or the cafeteria serves blueberry muffins on Wednesdays.
Regardless of the reason, at the time, it seemed like the right thing to do. And now, two years later, you’re bored and restless. Your thoughts are constantly distracted by other interests. You can’t wait to be off the clock.
But rather than quit, you stay. You endure. You tolerate an otherwise intolerable job because you don’t want to go through the hassle and stress of a job transition. So you try to convince yourself that reducing your productivity to the absolute minimum is the answer.
You consider it an acceptable compromise. You may even think you’re making some sort of cultural statement — vaguely identifying your solidarity with those who had the courage to do what you can’t.
As a quiet quitter, you constantly question the company’s policies and programs.
You filter every piece of correspondence with a tainted bias that precludes anything good or positive originating from your employer.
And when you go home at night, the frustration continues. Because doing work that no longer satisfies or motivates is wasting your life.
And it haunts you.
Because you know you’re coasting, just getting by. And frankly, you’re better than that. The opportunity that waited for you — the success that you hoped to achieve — is behind some other door, in some other town.
And now, you wonder . . . Is it too late?
Frustrated and discouraged, you tell yourself you’re fighting the good fight — from inside the organization. Because spreading your opinions, denigrating the work environment, and denouncing your compensation are important ways to validate and rationalize your situation.
I don’t work a second longer than I have to because the company refuses to pay me for it. I’m not someone’s slave, and I’m certainly not committing my life to a company I don’t believe in.
So you intentionally hold back.
And by doing so, you make one of the most serious career blunders possible.
Don’t think the company knows what you’re doing? Believe me, they know!
And after a few months of reduced productivity or displaying obvious negativity, it will be time for the “talk.” It starts with lots of well-meaning questions:
Is there anything wrong?
What can I do to change the situation?
Are you having problems at home?
And then the big guns come out — an inferred ultimatum is tossed on the table.
It usually goes something like this: “We want to help you as much as we can, but we need you at full capacity. We need you here, at work, focused on your job. It’s what we pay you for. And if your situation doesn’t improve soon, we’ll have to look at other alternatives.”
“Other alternatives” is corp-speak for “we’ll fire your ass.”
“But wait!” you say. “That’s not fair! I show up. I turn in the required paperwork.”
No, my friend, it’s more than fair. Intentionally cutting back on your responsibilities at work is turning your back on the commitment you made when you took the job.
How important is that commitment?
How long does a marriage last without commitment?
How long does an entrepreneur pursue her dream without commitment?
How does anything get done unless someone is committed to accomplishing the task?
Quiet quitting may have been coined to describe a rebellious spirit, but in reality, it’s the badge of a coward.
Quiet quitting leaves a trail of excuses and disappointing job reviews. Because it’s obvious — you quit your job a long time ago. You just haven’t left yet. And from the company’s standpoint, you’re beginning to smell.
Seriously, can you blame them?
Reducing your commitment to your job is not about burnout, a lack of challenge, or the size of the paycheck. It’s about correctly matching your interests and talents to a career that gets you excited and that motivates you to put in a few extra hours a week because you enjoy the work.
Can you imagine pursuing a career as a professional golfer, a musician, or a writer? Can you see yourself winning national tournaments, playing stadium concerts, or writing the next run-away, best-selling novel by slacking off and cutting back?
Work — however you define it — is a part of life.
It’s how we express our talent and ability. It brings us the rewards of associating with others who can boost our effectiveness, compensate us for our contribution, and give us a sense of value.
How you go about it is completely up to you.
If your work situation is toxic, unrewarding, or dissatisfying, change it. Have the courage to leave. As an alternative, present your concerns to your supervisor and ask for help in making mutually acceptable changes to your job.
Because when you consider the time and opportunity cost of your current career, you’re either paying a price or making an investment.
Here’s the Takeaway . . .
There have always been quiet quitters in the work environment. But they were previously referred to by a far more accurately descriptive term: Corporate Deadwood.
And sooner or later, company deadwood is gathered up and burned — meaning they’re discharged and shown the door.
Terminated with cause.
A quiet quitter isn’t fooling anyone. Not even themselves.
By taking the middle road of a quiet quitter, you’re accepting a poor substitute for the work you’re truly capable of doing and, more importantly, the contribution you’re capable of making.
The good news? You can choose. You can decide what works best for you.
Have the guts to stand up for yourself. Make the choice to go or stay, and either way, commit to your decision.
Because the alternative — tolerating a bad job choice by sacrificing your professional potential — becomes nothing more than a sad excuse for a life of wasted time and lost opportunity.
Thanks for reading,
Roger Reid | Success Point 360
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Roger A. Reid, Ph.D. is a certified NLP trainer with degrees in engineering and business. Roger is the author of Better Mondays and Speak Up, and host of Success Point 360 Podcast, offering tips and strategies for achieving higher levels of career success and personal fulfillment in the real world.
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