We need to first establish the reality that for every reward there is a price you pay. You do realize that? It really is important to understand that you always pay a price for a reward – time, energy, money, etc. As long as the delicate balance between price and reward is in reward’s favor there isn’t a problem. Until the cost becomes too high, the trade-off is one we have to/are willing to pay. However, once the balance shifts then other issues arise such as satisfaction, core values like being valued, creativity options, etc. The issue is – balance shifts.
So what happens at this time? Again, many options are available: quit, find a more rewarding position, nothing. It’s the last option that is the most devastating. If you feel like you are in a no win work environment and you do not choose to do something about it, then you end up shooting yourself in the foot.
Shooting yourself can take the guise of complaint (typically the major outcome), spreading dissatisfaction to others, scaling back your goals, scaling back your work behavior, and the biggest detriment – being fired. Fired is the least attractive option – choosing to give notice and find another position is far more effective. And, yes I know, sometimes another position is impossible to find.
There is another option in the midst of finding something else and that is…. finding something positive about what you are doing or can do. This isn’t easy especially since you are typically dissatisfied at this point. But for your own well being, the cost of doing nothing is huge.
There is always a cost… the question is what are you willing to pay for your choice?
