Free AI web copilot to create summaries, insights and extended knowledge, download it at here

Abstract

h1 id="6ce1">The 25% Rule</h1>“Noah, I hate waking up in the morning. I hate working. I don’t like marketing anymore. Is it because I am not good at it?”He smiled and took some time before replying.“Look, in my 20s, I had a similar problem. I was in a high-paid job, working long hours. I earned more than enough to get anything I wanted. But I hated all of it. I was thinking of switching career paths as well. And eventually, as you can see, I did.”“Did switching help?”It did. But that’s not the point. Maybe changing your career path is the way forward. Maybe not. But first, you need to understand what is happening better. I want you to follow the 25% Rule first to check that.Check if you dislike more than 25% of your work. Maybe you hate the meetings or something else which doesn’t amount to 25%. Maybe you hate 1 day of the week. If it is below 25%, you have to accept that.He continued, “A job is not going to be able to meet all your needs. Remember that it is not custom-made according to your personal needs. But if you like 75% of it, that is good enough.”“And if I dislike more than 25% of what do I do?”“First, ask yourself if you disliked them in your previous role. If you didn’t, then you will get an idea about what you need to change.”Noah paused for a second to see if I was following him.“Look for things you enjoy. Add that to your ideal work requirement. And start looking for another job. Looking at your background, it doesn’t seem like you hate marketing. You seem to be rather good at it. It is the job

Options

that’s weighing you down.”That 25% rule changed my perspective.Not only in my career but also life. Nothing in life is perfect. But if I like 3 out of 4 aspects of anything, I should continue with that. Maybe over time, I will love more of that thing. Or maybe I will find something that will meet that additional 25% need.For example, I enjoy doing creative work. If my job doesn’t provide opportunities for that, maybe I can come to Medium and use it as a creative outlet. Medium will not replace my work, but it will help me fulfill my creative needs.Even in relationships, this rule can be applied. My partner and I both love traveling, eating exotic foods, and watching movies. She doesn’t share the same love for sports but that’s ok. I can watch sports with friends.I am guessing very few people are lucky to find a job they fully love. Even with actors, they might love the acting, fame, and success. But some of them hate the publicity tours and <a href="https://bestlifeonline.com/celebrities-who-hate-being-famous/">constant spotlight.</a>Just like that, this 25% rule helped me become align my expectations, find a better role, and be more positive.I now know that I may not like everything, but I can focus on the positive and let that fuel me.With that change in mindset, I now understand that we all have our needs. It is unnecessary that a job — designed for the company — will be able to meet my personal needs perfectly.It is not the role of a job to adapt as per our needs.It is our role to find a job that makes our life better.</article></body>

PERSONAL GROWTH STRATEGIES & STORIES

Why Do I Hate My Work?

The perspective that changed my career

Anything I did, my line manager wanted me to update that.

I was surprised.

I used to be quite a successful marketer. I knew what I was doing. I have helped my previous companies get to numerous successes. Even with this company, I helped them achieve commendable growth.

But the expectations changed. The constant micro-management was hurting me.

I was working 12–14 hours a day. I was neglecting my family and my own well-being. I was becoming overweight and mentally stressed. I was close to hitting rock bottom.

Every morning, I’d wake up and sigh. I was not looking forward to working. Somewhere along the way, I lost the joy of working.

I started hating marketing and chasing revenue. Yet, that is what I was good at.

One day, I was browsing through LinkedIn. I saw a post from one of my Professors. My Professor was opening up 15-minute slots to talk about career, life, and growth with anyone.

I quickly signed up for a slot on a weekend.

When the day came, I almost didn’t join because I was so tired. But I am glad I did. He gave me something that helped me tremendously.

The 25% Rule

“Noah, I hate waking up in the morning. I hate working. I don’t like marketing anymore. Is it because I am not good at it?”

He smiled and took some time before replying.

“Look, in my 20s, I had a similar problem. I was in a high-paid job, working long hours. I earned more than enough to get anything I wanted. But I hated all of it. I was thinking of switching career paths as well. And eventually, as you can see, I did.”

“Did switching help?”

It did. But that’s not the point. Maybe changing your career path is the way forward. Maybe not. But first, you need to understand what is happening better. I want you to follow the 25% Rule first to check that.

Check if you dislike more than 25% of your work. Maybe you hate the meetings or something else which doesn’t amount to 25%. Maybe you hate 1 day of the week. If it is below 25%, you have to accept that.

He continued, “A job is not going to be able to meet all your needs. Remember that it is not custom-made according to your personal needs. But if you like 75% of it, that is good enough.”

“And if I dislike more than 25% of what do I do?”

“First, ask yourself if you disliked them in your previous role. If you didn’t, then you will get an idea about what you need to change.”

Noah paused for a second to see if I was following him.

“Look for things you enjoy. Add that to your ideal work requirement. And start looking for another job. Looking at your background, it doesn’t seem like you hate marketing. You seem to be rather good at it. It is the job that’s weighing you down.”

That 25% rule changed my perspective.

Not only in my career but also life. Nothing in life is perfect. But if I like 3 out of 4 aspects of anything, I should continue with that. Maybe over time, I will love more of that thing. Or maybe I will find something that will meet that additional 25% need.

For example, I enjoy doing creative work. If my job doesn’t provide opportunities for that, maybe I can come to Medium and use it as a creative outlet. Medium will not replace my work, but it will help me fulfill my creative needs.

Even in relationships, this rule can be applied. My partner and I both love traveling, eating exotic foods, and watching movies. She doesn’t share the same love for sports but that’s ok. I can watch sports with friends.

I am guessing very few people are lucky to find a job they fully love. Even with actors, they might love the acting, fame, and success. But some of them hate the publicity tours and constant spotlight.

Just like that, this 25% rule helped me become align my expectations, find a better role, and be more positive.

I now know that I may not like everything, but I can focus on the positive and let that fuel me.

With that change in mindset, I now understand that we all have our needs. It is unnecessary that a job — designed for the company — will be able to meet my personal needs perfectly.

It is not the role of a job to adapt as per our needs.

It is our role to find a job that makes our life better.