Learn how to leave a job you hate and find fulfillment in life. Find inspiration and guidance to pursue your true calling.
“If you want happiness for an hour—take a nap. If you want happiness for a day—go walking. If you want happiness for a lifetime—help someone else.” Chinese Proverb
I was once told that I had the soul of an artist. Actively discouraged in childhood, I’d closed off that side of me for a long time. I began my career as a bank teller, an accountant, and a recruitment consultant, followed by more ‘business-minded’ careers. I even spent time in prison…on a work assignment.
Each time, I went further away from who I truly was and the things that gave me joy. But then, after a serious health scare and surviving physical threats in the workplace, I made my passion and purpose discovering how to leave a job I hated.
If you’ve read my Mid-life Career Rescue series or any of my self-empowerment books you’ll know there was a time that I felt so unhappy at work it made me sick, but I felt I had to make that job work or I’d be fired.
I was a single mom, the only one able to support my young daughter and myself. I used to go home with a brave face, but inside I was tired and depressed. My self-esteem was so low I thought no one would hire me. I tried to go to work, grit my teeth and bear it like others did. I felt trapped, anxious and depressed.
I wanted to make a difference in people’s lives. But that wasn’t what my boss wanted from me. “You could make a lot of money here,” he said. “You just need to be more selfish.” For a while, I tried to be someone else—motivated only by money, but every day my values were compromised, and the skills I loved weren’t being used.
I was working as a consultant in one of the world’s biggest, swankiest HR and recruitment companies. Everyone thought I had it made—status, glamor, high earnings. But I hated the hours, and I hated the culture. As I shared in, Mid-Life Career Rescue: (The Call For Change): How to confidently leave a job you hate, and start living a life you love, before it’s too late my boss once threatened to smash my head in—and he had the gall to say this in an open-plan office in front of over a hundred people. No one batted an eyelid. Everyone was scared. But it was a turning point in my life and my career.
I shared the exact steps I, and others took, in my book Midlife Career Rescue: How to Confidently Find a Job, Change Careers, and Start Living a Life you Love, Before It’s Too Late. Nine years after publishing this book (2015), its still changing lives.
Recently I was surprised and delighted to discover an email from a lady in Melbourne who had been guided to my work when she Googled, “How to leave a job you hate.”
Her email to me, edited and shared with Diana’s permission, is below. As you’ll discover, following your passion and finding your joy is where the magic happens. So many people don’t know where to look or how to find that sweet spot. As Diana shares, moments of quiet contemplation via journalling, and listening to the observations of others, can and will enrich your life, guiding you to your passion and purpose.
Incidentally my theme this year is Joy Rich. I reveal more about this on my blog. As I shared with Diana in my reply, receiving her email and also her reflection of where she saw my gifts, added immeasurably to my treasure chest.
Growing up I never heard a complement, was never encouraged, and was activively dissuaded from following my path with heart. Perhaps you too, can relate to this. Take heart and be encouraged—as Isabel Allende shared, “Without my dysfunctional childhood what would I write about?” I feel the same way—about my art, my writing, and who I am. Rubbing up against who I am not, has deepened my conviction and mission.
Below is Diana’s email:
“I’m an artist too, and interested in transforming humanity through joy.“
“I thought I’d reach out to you as we have a lot in common. I’m an artist too, and interested in transforming humanity through joy.
I found you by typing in “how to leave a job you hate” and your book came up. I love your focus on passion, and 100% agree that it’s the best motivation for action.
I did your Passion Workbook, then started my own Joy Journal. I wrote down every instance of joy, no matter how small or strange. Over time, I realised that beauty is very important to me — much more than I realised — and this ultimately returned me to my visual art practice.
Many people consider art my calling and obviously so. I had my first solo exhibition in 2013, which was very well received and attended. But after a while, I stopped enjoying it. It felt like a chore, so I set it aside and did other things.
Recently, my Joy Journal showed me a way to do visual art that makes it enjoyable again: working without external references. It’s so liberating to no longer be chained to anything outside of myself! This is probably why art became a chore: I wasn’t listening to myself, or trusting myself that I could work without them.
When I posted the new work, a long-time follower said: “Your work always makes me feel. Thank you.” This blew me away; I was shocked that something I did could affect a person like this. It made me realise that my work is important to do, not just for myself, but for other people too.
“what other people think you’re good at”
In your Passion Workbook there’s a question about what other people think you’re good at. I never thought this was so important in the calculus, but given my follower’s comment, the penny finally dropped.
My current job I “hate” is in medical. It was something I picked up to pay the bills after studying philosophy but declining academia. It stuck, and I think it did because I stopped listening to my joy, to what makes me happy in the moment.
“On my website, this is my Art page https://mrmrsjackson.wordpress.com/art/, and my Art (Progress) page https://mrmrsjackson.wordpress.com/art-progress/, which documents my “breaking free” process, which started late 2023. Works before this period utilise reference images. I’ve attached to this email old work from 2015 and new work from 2024.
Joy and passion are so important! I don’t know why more people don’t realise this. I believe that if everyone tapped into their passion, most of the world’s problems would be solved.
I adore Diana’s unicorn, rainbow work. I have such happy memories of both. One of the first visitors to my gallery, a child of five, Betty, gifted me a painting she created and entitled “A Unicorn Jumps Over A Rainbow” and a child I counselled many moons ago gifted me with a short story about the unicorns she could see.
Diana shares her Joyful Return on her blog. It’s wonderful to hear how my mission has impacted her. Joy spreads joy. Take a peek here:
AUDIBLE
I write the books I love to read—and listen to. Right now, on Spotify, I am listening to one of my favorite self-empowerment books,
It’s as timely now as it was when I first wrote this book. The chapters are short and sweet—perfect for a short joy burst. Here’s a lovely excerpt, I hope you enjoy it
If you have Spotify Premium, The Art of Success is free to listen to. Available in ebook, Paperback, Hardcover and audio from all good online retailers, including
🎨✨ Dive into a world of color and whimsy with “Don’t Lose Your Marbles” 🌈 This vibrant and playful piece is a celebration of joy and creativity, reminding us to embrace the fun and spontaneity in life. Let the splashes of pink, yellow, red, and green lift your spirits and brighten your day! 🌟💖
DM to enquire. You may also enjoy viewing my butterfly-inspired artwork.
Escape the chaos of the world with these breathtaking color-wash paintings. Immerse yourself in the calming beauty of nature and find refuge.
These beauties make my heart so glad. Just gazing upon them provides an instant refuge from the chaos of the world.
https://www.thejoyfulartist.co.nz/taking-refuge-from-chaos/
You may enjoy this great article about leaving a ‘high status’ stressful career and doing something for fun
You’ll find a range of my books to help guide you to create your best life here: https://www.thejoyfulartist.co.nz/category/books/career-books/
My story: how my dark nights of the soul awakened my passion and purpose
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