Stuck in a dead-end job?

Or a cul-de-sac as Seth Godin calls it in the Dip.

What does a dead-end job looks like?

You work and you work and it just doesn’t seem to end. You are burning the candle not only from both ends but also from the middle. You are expected to be available all the time you are awake. You are on their WhatsApp groups and what not. You are expected to reply at 11 in the night and on a Saturday afternoon.

And you are paid miserly.

Whatever money comes, goes away.

Nothing is happening.

So, what to do when you are in this situation.

First, decide that it’s over. Don’t delay, don’t procrastinate. Don’t say after this or after that. Just rip off the damn bandaid. You can’t do much if you don’t have time or energy.

Two, proactively handle your finances. How much money do you need and how much do you want? The first one is for survival and second one is for thriving.

Third. Start valuing your time. Create a schedule. Become a pro.

If you can give 12 hours to the dead-end job, you can give 6 to your career.

Start building your portfolio by publishing one article or blog every day. Start building your network by emailing and calling 5 people every day. Start building your skill-set by spending 1 hour learning every day. Read about persuasion, negotiation and selling.

Do this work as if you already have the job that you dream about. Don’t wait for anyone’s permission.

This is it. Once you are spending these hours on a daily basis (no internet), just plain sitting down and doing these tasks, everything will start falling into place.

The biggest challenge here is to gain the courage to end this masochistic relationship with your employer.

Unless you are enjoying being miserable, there is just no choice.