Thank God It's Friday
By John Seraichyk -
I have often wondered where the phrase Thank God it's Friday originates. Or, alternatively Thank Goodness it's Friday or Terribly Gleeful it's Friday. Furthermore, who founded Hump Day(this is the middle of the week and the day you need to get through to get closer to the weekend)? And, why are there snooze buttons on alarm clocks?
For nearly thirty years, I have interviewed thousands of professionals who sought out the valuable assistance of my organization because they hated their jobs. I call these people Thank God its Fridayers or TGIFers. These people wish their lives away, working for the weekend or through the weekend. Either way, they all agree, this is no way to live.
Early in my career, I met with a middle-aged professional (I'll call him Jim) who told me he would depress the snooze button on his alarm clock five times before getting out of bed on Monday morning. Jim also explained that he would rise from bed sixty minutes earlier every day on the weekends or when on vacation and didn't need an alarm clock to get himself going. I surmised this gentleman hated his job so much he started dreading Monday morning on Sunday afternoon! Jim was so depressed about his work situation that the only thing that got him to work on Monday was the grand thought of "Hump Day" or his ever-persistent alarm clock. However, when he was on vacation or excited about the day ahead, he would sprint from bed without the use of an alarm clock, full of vigor and excitement.
During my thirty-year career as professional employment and career search consultant, I have met and worked with thousands of people like Jim. If Jim lives to be seventy-five years of age and sleeps eight hours a night, he will have spent twenty-five years of his life in bed! Furthermore, if Jim works eight hours a day, he will spend another twenty-five years at work!
Jim will most likely use his non-working hours for personal chores, waiting in lines, waiting at traffic lights, going to the doctor, the dentist, time at his mothers-in-law, traveling back and forth to the job he hates, picking up the kids, dropping off the kids, washing the car, cutting the lawn, meeting with teachers, and at funerals or wakes.
Are you getting the picture? If you hate your job, you won't have much time to enjoy life. This is especially true for Americans. The average American takes fewer than two weeks of vacation per year. The average European wants four weeks off, and many take daily siestas. In America, a nap might cost you your job.
Did you know that most heart attacks occur on Monday morning? According to Dr. Joseph Mercola (www.Mercola.com) and many other research studies, 20 percent of heart attacks occur on Mondays, which is more than on any other day. The experts say these heart attacks are directly related to anticipated or existing job stress, which is usually at its peak on Monday morning. (Google this topic sometime). So then, what are TGIFers to do?
If you are or are becoming a TGIFer, then it's time for a career action plan. You can find many books regarding this subject. But reading a book on finding your dream job is like reading a book on how to play golf. You can read for days, weeks, or months and never become proficient at either! Contact Us today if you are undervalued, undecided, underpaid, not appreciated, ready for a change, trapped in your current role or you just plain hate your job, and we will respond with our best advice and direction.
Twenty-five years is much too long to be unhappy!
Transition Onward,
John Seraichyk
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