Don’t be your own prisoner
I rarely open up about this story. At the time, it was quite distressing, but perhaps some of you will relate and find it helpful?
I know I’m not the only one who’s felt “stuck” or powerless before.
At the end of 2015, I moved to Australia in search of a new adventure and a better life (a classic Brit move).
I was one of the fortunate ones and managed to secure a job that would sponsor me for a visa, rather than spending several months working on a farm.
However, what I didn’t realise at the time was that this could be more complicated than I expected.
The combination of being sponsored by a company for a visa and having a health condition was like wearing golden handcuffs – only these were encrusted with three hundred diamonds.
There was no way I could leave my job until my permanent residency was granted, or I’d have to leave the country and the life I had built.
On top of that, my health condition meant the process took even longer and cost me more of my hard-earned dollars.
So, painstakingly, I waited it out in the same job – nearly six years – until my permanent residency was finally granted.
During that time, I went through many phases:
Burnt out
Lacking self-worth
Anxiety
Questioning who I was and what I was doing
Feeling a lack of meaning and purpose
Not being challenged
Feeling undervalued
Bored out of my mind
Although I didn’t appreciate it at the time, I learnt how to be resilient and squeeze every last drop of juice from the proverbial lemon.
I gained valuable insights into how to get the most out of any job, and now I understand why – I needed to learn these lessons so I could share them with my clients!
Don’t make yourself a prisoner.
Here’s how you can free yourself from your own version of diamond-encrusted handcuffs:
Take your power back. Understand that you have a choice. I don’t know your situation, but whether or not it feels like it – you always have a choice. For me, even though it didn’t seem like I had one, I did. I chose to stay because getting my permanent residency was my priority at that time. By acknowledging that it was my choice, I reclaimed my power.
Get intentional about using your strengths. If you don’t know what your innate strengths are, take a strengths test like VIA Strengths or CliftonStrengths, and then consciously apply your top 3-4 strengths every day.
Notice how you gain more energy, motivation, and alignment in your daily tasks! For example, if one of your top strengths is honesty, try giving more thorough, honest feedback to your colleagues or clients.
When we use our top strengths, we shine!
Keep learning. If your current job isn’t challenging you, it might be time to seek out new learning opportunities. For me, this was what lead me to going back to University to study Positive Psychology. I wouldn't be where I am today if it wasn't for this experience!
When it comes to learning; you have options:
Speak to your manager about spending some time with another team that interests you.
Explore professional courses that align with your long-term goals. For instance, if you aspire to be a leader, a leadership course might suit you.
If you dream of starting your own business, consider learning about social media marketing.
If you’re unsure about the future, follow your curiosity. What are you interested in learning? Learning is a sure-fire way to reignite your inner spark, keeping you motivated until the next chapter begins.
