Explore the World's Best Ideas
Join today and uncover 100+ curated journeys from 50+ topics. Unlock access to our mobile app with extensive features.
9
178 reads
Americans regularly quit their jobs in the ‘60s and ‘70s, but that pace only began to slow in the ‘80s. Among a barrage of Reagan-era spending cuts, deregulation, and shifting corporate culture, American workers became devalued in the economy. As their purchasing power stymied, they shackled themselves to their jobs — even the BS ones — for affordable healthcare and a financial safety net. The era also intensified the cultural belief that today sees quitting as a sign for losers, unloyal job hoppers, or (worse!) millennials.
11
118 reads
A likely culprit of this mojo rejuvenation is the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, Americans found their lives upended by shutdown measures. They were laid off. They became their children’s full-time teachers and part-time social outlets. Those lucky enough to keep their jobs struggled as their industries transformed amid ever-revolving kaleidoscopes of rules and mandates. All of which generated immense stress that eroded people’s well-being.
10
60 reads
Workers are now prioritizing flexibility, work-life balance, and benefits more than salary. Additional motivators are dissatisfaction, a search for safer working environments, a desire for work that aligns with skills and values, and better pay.
10
61 reads
That depends. Yes, that may be a bit of a dodge, but it’s also the only acceptable response. Such a question can’t be answered in an article or through a multiple-choice quiz. It requires a deep analysis of what makes you satisfied at work, what you need to live a fulfilling life, whether your job meets those needs, and how you want to grow your career. No one can divine whether the stars have aligned in your favour for you.
10
45 reads
11
46 reads
They happen outside your control, and you have to decide how to respond. If the restaurant you worked at closed during the pandemic, you encountered a negative moment. If a former coworker offers you an attractive new job because of the current labour shortage, that’s an unexpected moment.
10
37 reads
Jumps are voluntary changes. You choose to change your situation, and you do so. Those joining the Great Resignation are taking this leap.
It becomes complicated when we hit a ceiling. These do-over moments aren’t barriers to your progress. When you hit a ceiling, you need to make a jump, but you are voluntarily standing still. You are the barrier.
Sometimes when you’re stuck, you have to ask, “Am I blaming other people right now? Am I blaming my boss? Am I blaming the economy? Am I blaming coworkers?”
10
30 reads
The lesson from this moment in history is not that people are quitting. It’s that they’ve decided to seize the moment and work for something better. Good enough is no longer good enough.
They want meaningful lives, work that is fulfilling, and the opportunity to strive for their passions. Whether that comes from a large do-over moment or a small change is irrelevant. Either way, we’ve entered the Great Affirmation.
10
34 reads
IDEAS CURATED BY
"There's no money in poetry, but then there's no poetry in money, either." ~ Robert Graves
Learn more about economics with this collection
Identifying the skills needed for the future
Developing a growth mindset
Creating a culture of continuous learning
Related collections
Similar ideas
Read & Learn
20x Faster
without
deepstash
with
deepstash
with
deepstash
Personalized microlearning
—
100+ Learning Journeys
—
Access to 200,000+ ideas
—
Access to the mobile app
—
Unlimited idea saving
—
—
Unlimited history
—
—
Unlimited listening to ideas
—
—
Downloading & offline access
—
—
Supercharge your mind with one idea per day
Enter your email and spend 1 minute every day to learn something new.
I agree to receive email updates