Why do we accept less than we deserve in order to pursue our dreams? Many of us do it. We may work for free to gain more experience in our field. We may do unpaid internships. However, when it comes to paid work, why do we take less than we should? We do this because we feel lucky to have such an amazing job, right? However, is it really such an amazing job if we must sacrifice our rights and accept questionable pay in exchange for our work? It may be a zero hours contract, no contract, never-ending trial periods, unpaid working hours and even below minimum wage. Are we not belittling our own worth? Whilst setting a standard that means future employees can either work for the same, or be considered a pain to simply expect what they are legally entitled to.
These things are bad enough, but it gets worse. When you work for someone who has so little respect for their employees, it rarely stops there. Your boss can do what they want to you, they may say things that a real boss wouldn’t be permitted to say to you. You are leaving yourself open to discrimination, bullying and you can never trust that your work will be acknowledged or rewarded. By accepting less than you deserve, you are at the mercy of your boss. They know they have a hold over you. You have the most amazing job in the world, why would you ever leave? Why would you dare question the system? Often, by accepting these terms you become complicit in this illegal act. Your employer knows this. How do you think they sleep at night? It’s very difficult to work for someone you don’t trust and without a contract there is very little you can do about it. This will lead to resentment. It is not healthy and it will affect you and your work.You may feel constantly on edge, knowing that at any moment you could be replaced by someone willing to work for even less. This is when we must listen to our gut instinct.
It’s not always easy to trust your gut instinct when pursuing your dreams. Yet, this is perhaps when we should trust it the most. If your gut instinct is telling you it’s not right when it feels like it is the best opportunity in the world, listen to it, trust it. I’m not suggesting you should never go against your gut, there are times when we say we have a gut instinct about something, when it fact we just don’t want to do it. However, we seem to be pretty good at listening to our gut when it comes to our personal lives, so I think we should pay the same attention to our professional lives. Chances are if you have found yourself in this situation, you have finally found the most amazing job in the world; you have worked extremely hard for it. You may have studied for many years, volunteered hundreds of hours of your time for free to gain more experience in your field. You have probably supported yourself along the way working in many jobs just to pay the bills, believing this would all lead to you getting that amazing job you deserve. Keep going. You will find that job. However, if you are working for less than you know you truly deserve, listen to your gut, this is not that job.
Thank you for reading. I would love to hear from anyone that can relate to this post.
Visit my Etsy shop – http://lelsloom.etsy.com/
I love the line “It’s not always easy to trust your gut when pursuing your dreams.” So very true.
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A superb blog. We really need to look on it.
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I absolutely agree, I believe many find themselves in these twisted situations. The worst is when we are made to believe we have no choice, and we actually believe it, entering a never ending loop. I wrote something related to your post: http://kristinakoti.com/changes-changes-changes/ if you want to read it 🙂 Thanks 😀
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I read your post. It’s great and definitely relates to this one. Thank you.
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I think its great I found your post today of all days. I had a huge run in with a lady I work with an hour before I left work today. She’s a huge bully and no one will confront her. I’d love to leave said job and start my own business but I’d be terrified because there are bills to pay. I’m pinning this for later as I’m going to think on this.
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Been there – and I think so much of it is to do with fear of ‘if I’m not going to do this HERE, where AM I going to do it? What am I going to do instead?” I couldn’t answer those questions for 9 years, and ended up horribly exploited for most of them. My gut knew it wasn’t the right job, but I was too timid and too browbeaten, to think I could find another one.
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Yeah, it’s not an easy thing to go through. You don’t want to seem demanding, but you don’t want to get walked over ether. I need to find the balance for my next job
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I hope you do. It’s so important.
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It is stressful when you feel like you need to take a job because you are in a bad situation and feel forced to accept it. It’s even worse when your boss is unfair and treats you badly. Only bide your time for as long as is necessary, then move on to a better place as soon as you can find it.
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I’m trying to think of jobs as stepping stones now. Keep going until you find the right one.
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Really good observations- but what if my gut feeling is wrong?
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Good question. In my opinion that real gut feeling is very rarely, if ever, wrong. I guess if you are really unsure you could weigh it up against other feelings you have towards the job. Is this something you are going through just now?
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Finding your purpose in life is difficult. Trusting your gut is difficult too. Sometimes you have to go through hard stuff to get to the good stuff
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Bring on the good stuff!!
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This reminded me of when I worked in retail. It’s such an under-appreciated job, and I worked my booty off everyday there without so much as a good job or a thank you. Leaving that job was the best thing I ever did!
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Good for you!
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This was a really good post! As a teenager I am constantly undermining my self worth. Now I will stop and think if I deserve something better!
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Yes! “This is the greatest place to work”, “You have the best job in the world”, “We pay you so much and take very good care of you” “No one else would pay you as much as we do”….on and on and on. I was there for years. Not there now. Best decision I ever made. Not that it was all bad, but so many times, when you are a very capable person, you will be handed so much work that eventually you’ll break. Don’t allow your boss to take advantage of your hard work either.
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Good for you for getting out of that.
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AMEN sista! This was such a great post, and something I struggle with, not only professionally, but personally as well. I struggle to give up on things that I’ve put time into. Relationships, majors, jobs, etc. But All the time in the world means nothing if you’re. not. happy. Kudos to you for realizing this and being aware.
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Thank you! Now lets just see if I can apply all this to my future jobs 🙂
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Well written. I feel laziness and complacency combined with a fear for change is what keeps us where we are, and for most parts, chains us to our present predicament; constraints movement towards where we belong.
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Thank you. It’s easy to think we won’t find something better, but the truth is we have to keep looking.
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A very nice blog post. Very honest and true to life (for me anyway).
http://www.annanuttall.com
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Yes I’ve certainly been there and even though I was scared no one would want me in midlife I made the break and never felt better. I also found that I was still considered to be an excellent employee and wondered why I took so long to make the change. #blogsharelearn Sue from Sizzling Towards Sixty.
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Thank you!
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Why do we accept less than we deserve in order to pursue our dreams? Great question. A lot of people ask themselves that and don’t have an answer for that. I think a lot of have low self esteem and that leads to not believing in themselves.
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True. Which is a shame because if we don’t believe in ourselves then no-one else will.
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I always believe in “you don’t get what you deserve, you get what you ask for”. Great post by the way. I enjoyed reading it.
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Thank you.
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I so get this post. I had a similar experience that I wrote about. I worked in a very toxic environment and am now trying to find my way.
http://dailydumpshitshow.blogspot.com/2016/07/toxic-truths.html?m=1
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Thank you. I’ll give that a read too.
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I think lots of people would accept a work situation like that because they believe or even just hope it will improve. Unlikely with the same employer, though….
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i agree, and i think its because we grow up bealiving that we have to work inwhat pays better not what we love to do.
really love the post
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Thank you
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Great post right here, I’ve felt like this a million times
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Thank you
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sometimes you have to take the things you want instead of waiting for them to come to you.
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Very true. That is what I’m working on right now 🙂
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It seems as though we sometimes don’t give ourselves the credit we deserve. We may not think we are worthy enough to ask for more when in fact we should already be receiving more.
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I agree with that. Why I it so hard to ask for more?
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Great reminder about self-worth. Your time and energy is worth a whole lot . It’s important to remember not to waste it.
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Thanks for the comment.
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The gut is really instinct and intuition and it can be strong . I am a big believer in gut level guidance.
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I like that “Gut level guidance” 🙂
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Your blog is beautiful as is your words. You have a marvelous inspiring talent
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Wow. Thank you for such a lovely comment.
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Totally agree – but finding the balance between getting the bills paid and trusting your gut is hard
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Exactly. Especially when you feel that it’s such an amazing opportunity
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This is incredibly motivating and uplifting ☺
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Thank you. It felt good to get it all out.
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100% agree with trusting your gut. If you can’t trust yourself who can you trust?!
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Exactly 🙂
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It does get very stressful when you are forced into a situation and you don’t know the choices that you have. I got myself of an non-family friendly company, and found one that is but there will always be things that i have to grit my teeth and bear with.
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I guess in your case it’s about finding that balance
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Such an inspiring post. I’ve found myself in a few situations that made me rethink why and how I got myself there in the first place. Then I found a way to get out of it as fast as I could.
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Did you find it easy to get out fast?
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There is a lot of talk about this in blogging now and what led me to decide to not do reviews for products anymore. The truth is if you work for free, you are more or less saying you don’t have value especially when companies can afford to pay you. I know there are those that don’t agree with me though. Great post.
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Thank you!
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seriously for one to be true to theirself is something different compared to what you get to be, why should one be seen lower or lesser than they deserve to be? this is hard to take in alot of things and am glad i see someone writing about such a topic.
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Thank you. I feel that I still have more to write on the topic 🙂
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Valuing your worth is a hard thing to do yet once you do it, it feels amazing! Great post. Ree Love30
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Thank you!
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This is amazing post, I love it so much! It´s something I needed to read 🙂
http://www.inspo-book.blogspot.com
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Thank you. That’s nice to hear
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I love this post! As a person who overthinks and overcomplicates everything, I find it really hard to follow my dreams because I usually make myself give up on those dreams once I make the too complicated…
Also I usually don’t feel the need to get “awarded” for something I did, because I don’t think it’s a big thing, yet on the other hand I want to get awarded for the things I worked har on but usually no one notices.
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Thank you! Maybe we need to start rewarded ourselves?
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This was so inspirational!
♥: Jasmin N
Little Things With Jassy
Bloglovin’
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Thank you!
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Nice post, I really enjoyed reading this!
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Thank you!
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Great job on the post! I complete agree. If you gut isn’t feeling it, start looking else where. I needed to read this. Thank you
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Thank you! I definitely needed to write it 🙂
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This post is dead on! Not taking less that what we are worth is what most of us struggle with and we need to not be afraid to ask for that raise or promotion. Great post!
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Amazing.
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Thank you!
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I think sometimes it’s a matter of appreciating what you’re really worth. Some of us, especially women, suffer from the impostor syndrome, we think we’re not good enough and we shouldn’t even have that job. I say we should work more on building our confidence and than we’ll be more willing to fight for our rights! xx thanks for visiting my blog (Penny Plain Fit)
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I agree with every word of that. Thank you!
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I love this post! I have been in this position and ultimately left because it wasn’t right. I think people stay because of fear and want a sense of security. In the end I believe everything works out for the better and we should all go after what we deserve.
http://www.creatorshaven.com
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This inspires me. I totally agree
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Great post! I’m lucky that I have a boss that allows me creative freedom as long as I get the job done. I wish everyone could find a job like that.
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Wow. Spot on. Love this post. And it’s very confronting. You’re right. But by saying that, I must admit it to myself either. I recognize your story. Thanks for sharing. It really helps me realize.
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I’ve been there. It was not easy but I’m glad it’s already way behind me. Trusting your gut is important but to follow it up into action is another thing.
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Nice one
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Awesome blog post! So inspiring and heart lifting. Thank you for sharing it. ❤
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I watched on episode of Charmed ones and Piper was bullied by her boss. When she asked him why he said because I know you won’t say anything and you’ll do the job alone. I realized that your boss is just here to make money, and that’s why you must know you worth.
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A really nice post, i believe in mind over matter and it never easy but action speak louder then words. xx
http://www.annanuttall.com
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Great post. Follow your gut and trust your instincts. Sometimes this is quite hard to do!
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I absolutely agree with this, many find themselves in these awkward situations. The worst is when we are made to believe we have no choice, and we actually believe it, entering a vicious cycle.
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#inspiration ❤
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This was really well written! I loved it. It’s definitely hard to do what you’re passionate about when you’re simultaneously trying to make money to pay bills, etc. It’s all about sacrifice and figuring out what’s important and worth it to you!
Jasmine / http://www.jasminekeclipse.com
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Has starting an Etsy shop helped you feel less weighed down by a job that gave you less than you deserved? I’m fascinated by this emerging “You Economy,” and I wonder how more people can find a way to take more charge of their day-to-day.
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I’m not sure yet. It’s a wee bit on the side that I started last winter and never really did much with. I have two others jobs, but I am hoping to get some sales on my Etsy shop this autumn/winter. Thanks for the comment
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In creating a life I absolutely adore, I realized that I am living my dreams. I have a job and a life that are in harmony.
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your first sentence: ” Why do we accept less than we deserve in order to pursue our dreams? ” resonates with me so much….A blogpost well written!
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I can totally relate to this. I have always been settling for less to achieve my dreams, for years, and it has never gotten me anywhere. I am in a point of my life I don’t know what else to do to get there.
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Wow , that was a pretty good read . So much truth in it , I am believer a following your gut and heart , no matter what. I rather regret the mistakes I might have done, than the missed opportunities !
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I can totally relate to this. I left the world of Nursing because I felt that the patients, doctors, and the administration do not give much respect to me as a professional and do not recognize my abilities. I believe I am better off in an industry where my skills are given much importance. I am now a writer and I’ve never been happier 🙂
airinaapril.blogspot.com
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Very motivating! Thank you for sharing. Always follow your instincts!
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This is SO important! We all need to learn to value ourselves.
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Grat post, thanks for sharing it. Sometimes we just need to trust our gut but are too afraid of doing so
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Self-worth is really the key word here. We should never settle for less than what we deserve, or else people will take advantage of us.
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This inspires me
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Definitely made me think, we do need to live our one life doing what we love and making sure we are treated right – professionally and personally.
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I think we are so conditioned to work hard and to not rock the boat when we finally get that chance. We do have to find the courage to listen to our gut when we feel something is wrong.
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Yep. That is exactly how I was made to feel
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Beautiful post. We talk about self worth a lot and while you don’t want to put a price on someone…we need money to survive and it takes time to make money so we do have worth. What really shocked me is how people are to scared to ask for the pay they deserve. Sometimes smaller companies really can’t pay it but you don’t know till you ask.
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Yeah and sometimes they just don’t want to pay as much as they can.
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This is so true!! I wish people wouldn’t settle for less. I would definitely want to leave my job if my boss was not treating me the way I want to be treated. Lovely article.
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Never seek yourself short. Always be true to your self worth
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Good post and great observations… and motivating!
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Thank you
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It’s usually best though not always easy to trust your gut instincts.
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I left my job literally just a year ago to be a stay at home mom. I thought one or the other would make me happy. Turns out I still feel a bit stuck. I love your blog layout and colours, by the way.
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Some years ago, I was working a job in a career that I really wanted to pursue. Yet somehow I ended up in the worst possible scenario. My boss took more of my contracted pay than she gave me, threatened to fire me if I asked for sick days or needed a day off to care for a sick child and constantly gave me the work that no one else wanted. I finally had to decide whether I was going to let her treat me that way or go my own way. I decided to quit and am now self employed in the same industry, making my own hours and loving my career! I trusted my gut instinct which I believe is what you’re talking about here. Great post!
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I am someone who believes in dreaming big and working hard but I have known people to roll over thinking they will get more opportunities. No you are been taken for a ride.
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True. It happens to too many of us
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Whoa! This is a very good post! Very motivational. Thank you for sharing 😊
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You’re welcome. Thank you for reading
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You hit it right at the spot… I am currently in a situation where I feel used by my employer, won’t go into details too much, but sometimes I am almost crying while I am working my butt of and I am just getting NOT ONE BIT of appreciation for the work I do… It seems that she thinks I can do magic or something. Actually I am getting pissed off while writing this, whoops.
So I am currently hunting for the next job, I want a real job, where I have a good contract and where I can build a career… If I don’t find a job sometime soon I might get into blogging fulltime… Who knows 😉
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Blogging full time sounds good. What would you like to do?
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Very inspiring!
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Thank you
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So so so good!! You are so right- it is not easy to pursue your dreams. But it is always worth it! xox
http://beyondblessedblog.com/
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Damn straight! 🙂
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