Hardik found himself trapped in a demanding corporate job, which he often referred to as being a ‘corporate slave.’ Despite the allure of an attractive salary, the job demanded his presence for grueling 12-hour days, five days a week, leaving little time for personal well-being and leisure activities. Most distressingly, it was straining his romantic relationship. Adding to his troubles were the stringent restrictions imposed by his employment contract.
Despite his best efforts, Hardik couldn’t shake the profound unhappiness that gripped him. Realising he needed expert guidance, Hardik sought help from a consultant. Months later, he was in a better mental state. In an interview with a business news channel, Hardik shared the steps that helped him move toward health and happiness.
First, I needed to work on shifting my mindset from feeling like a ‘corporate slave’ to recognising that I am in control of my life and had the power to make choices that would lead to a happier and more balanced existence.
While I couldn’t change the workplace rules, I could set and assert boundaries within my control like limiting after-hours work communications and even setting realistic expectations with my immediate senior.
To addressing the job-related stress I was experiencing, I needed to include 2-5 minute stress-management techniques, such as mindfulness exercises, deep breathing, and relaxation practices, in my 12-hour work schedule. These techniques would help me handle the pressure at work more effectively.
Even with a demanding job, I needed to identify small pockets of time throughout the day for activities I enjoyed, whether it was a quick workout, a short hobby session, or a romantic gesture for my partner.
Most importantly, I needed to pre-plan my weekends and holidays to ensure I could spend quality time with loved ones, plan leisure activities, and pursue my hobbies.
He advised me to start by reflecting on my life goals and priorities; what truly mattered to me outside of work. Identifying one’s core values and aspirations is the first step in finding happiness.
Next, he advised me to define my financial goals and explore investment strategies that align with them. After all, money was one of the major lures for me in taking up my current job.
He placed urgency on me to create a long-term plan for transitioning out of my current job and into a career that went better with my personal and professional aspirations.
Even though I was overworked, in the short run, he suggested I should invest in professional development to improve my skills and increase my value in the job market, opening up more options for better future career choices.
I set achievable time-milestones then set out looking for opportunities that went with my values, offered better work-life balance, met my desired lifestyle needs, and provided professional fulfillment, even if they initially paid less.
Recognising my need for emotional support, he advised me to connect with trustworthy people in my network and find mentors. He mentioned that they could even help me explore potential opportunities outside my current job.
I dedicatedly worked on each of the steps and eventually laid the foundation for a more fulfilling life. After all, life isn’t only about making money. One must strike a balance between aspiration, greed, and happiness. And this happiness wasn’t only about the individual but also about their immediate family and loved ones.
