Employment is not the only option

Underemployment is running rampant in America right now given the uncertain economic conditions and recent layoffs. Underemployment is when you have a job but the job can barely support your cost of living. So, in turn, you have to have a side job to make up for what your main income is lacking. Most of the time, people pick up odd jobs like ridesharing or food delivery to make up for the income they need. It can be a miserable existence to have a job that is not helping to make ends meet and having to supplement your income taking on another job, leaving little time for yourself or your family. 
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Unemployment is also a common theme in many households all over this country. People are getting laid off at unprecedented rates without the emergency savings in place to compensate for the job loss. This is sending people in a panic where they are turning to public assistance for help or they are taking any job they can get their hands on, often leading to them accepting jobs that they are overqualified for. In turn, they are underemployed, making much less money than they did previously for a job they know they will hate. Desperation can lead to some unfavorable consequences on an emotional and mental health level.

Although this may be an unpopular opinion, it is worse to be underemployed than unemployed. Here is why; underemployment can be miserable when you are doing something you are not passionate about and getting paid less. At least when you don’t have a job, you can fantasize about the options or opportunities out there for you that you might love. However, when you commit to a position that you know is not a good fit for you, it can be hard to get out of it. This is because you have already committed your time and energy and you may not want to risk not getting another job in its place.

Now, I’m not saying don’t take a job if you are in dire financial need. However, if you do have emergency savings, you may want to consider how you can capitalize on the time you have to spend on something you are passionate about. Maybe there is a new skill you want to learn or a business you want to get started. There is nothing wrong with considering the possibility of pursuing your dreams because you may not get another opportunity. Your job loss may be exactly what you needed to feel confident enough to move forward with what you have always wanted to do. Therefore, don’t count yourself out by just taking a job because that is the safe option. I know more miserable people in jobs than I know out of work. Seize the moment and use your time wisely.
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Even if you do have stable employment, never depend on a job to fulfill you or connect you to your purpose in life. Make room for your interests and pursue your passions after work or on the weekends. This will help reenergize you if your job is draining. It also assists you with feeling empowered and in control. We all need to feel this way given so much uncertainty going on in this world. The only thing we can control is the talents that we have that make us happy.
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If you need assistance identifying your gifts/talents or learning how you can monetize them, download our app to plug into our Mentor marketplace. Our Mentor marketplace makes it faster for you to connect to the right people for your business or career offering you a more straightforward path to business or career success. It puts you in the driver’s seat rather than you being an innocent bystander. Sometimes, it is not about the money you can make with your passion but helping you identify what your passion is. This is where true happiness resides but it is up to you to find it!