I, like many people I know, would rather work somewhere for a little less money because I loved where I worked. The friends of mine who don’t have kids always know that they have options. And having options scares employers. If you have kids, you can’t quit as readily. If you have kids, you need to be able to easily transition and, how ironic is it that, fiscal years and raises come at the time when you could actually make that transition most comfortably?

Some employers want to keep you more scared than you are happy. They’ll pay you to give up your joy. But, if you don’t have to sell it, don’t. Sure, every day won’t be exciting or joyous but every day should be tolerable. The moment you realize that your job would be intolerable were it not for the paycheck, it’s time to start looking. Even if you have a family, there’s nothing wrong  with securing an option that will reintroduce joy into your life.

Though we do not know how numbered, we do know that our days are, in fact, finite. Don’t let one pass and feel that it was wasted. Keep your joy. Protect your mental health. If you need help with your résumé, don’t hesitate to give me a call and we’ll make magic happen.

Photograph of DJ Ken “The Brooklyn Bouncer” Reid doing what he loves and getting paid for it.

Make joy a priority.