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Episode #88
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I want to talk about something that’s become a trend in the last year and that’s Quiet Quitting. I’ve been hearing more and more about it and I just want to have my say on it, because it’s REALLY been bugging me.
WHAT’S THE DEAL?
The ‘quiet quitting’ trend all started with a video. Bryan Creely, a US corporate recruiter turned career coach, posted a video to TikTok and YouTube in March 2022.
The video said “I recently learned about this term called ‘quiet quitting’ where you’re not outright quitting your job, but you’re quitting the idea of going above and beyond. You’re still performing your duties, but you’re no longer subscribing to the hustle culture mentality that work has to be your life”.
The video got over 400,000 likes and that kicked off the rise of the quiet quitting trend. It became such a buzzword, it was named one of Collins Dictionary's words of the year
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
The supporters of quiet quitting say it gives them back control over their time. They have more energy for their personal life.
Those against it say that the big problem with quiet quitting is that it’s a fine balance to remain engaged in your primary tasks and not getting involved in anything else. You have to cut yourself off emotionally and mentally to avoid those people around you that need help, or projects that you know you would be great on. Your colleagues might have to pick up extra tasks and may get resentful, and then you can feel isolated.
Also, the danger is if you don't get the balance right, management may think you are slacking off. Then there is a risk you could either be performance managed out or be ‘quietly dismissed’ where your employer makes it difficult for you to stay and you end up resigning.
HERE'S WHAT I THINK
So what’s my view on ‘quiet quitting’ To be honest, I find it a bit sad. That anyone would want to do it, I mean. I believe whatever you want to do in life for your work, either as an employee, a freelancer or a business owner, you should be happy and engaged in it. Maybe not every day but overall it should be something you want to do, right?! You should be motivated and happy and enjoy what you do so that you want to go the extra mile not just because it’s expected.
A Global Gallup survey on employee engagement showed that 21% of workers are engaged with their work and 19% are totally disengaged. So 60% are neutral, neither engaged nor disengaged. That is a lot of people! Yes, a small amount will be people who are quite content to do the job to the letter and no more. But the majority of that 60% do want more, they do want to progress and be fulfilled in their work. But for some reason are stuck, frustrated, unappreciated, unfulfilled, burnt out or sick of a toxic work environment. They are the people who are now turning to quiet quitting out of desperation. It’s a kind of rebellion against the idea that you have to work crazy hours, devote your free time and weekends and be constantly exhausted to be appreciated in your job. That your work has to be your life.
But I don’t think work/life balance is an issue if you love what you do. Work does not have to be your life but let’s face it, there won’t ever be a full balance as we spend the majority of our time working. But if the work you do inspires, motivates and engages you, that balance does not seem as important. Because you are just as happy working as you are in your personal life.
So, I don’t believe quiet quitting is the answer to being unhappy in your work whatever the reason. It’s a sign you need to change. Either stay and be part of the solution and try to change the status quo where you are. Or move on to a place where you can find the right balance, where doing the minimum would not even be an option, because you WANT to do more, you just can’t help yourself.
In my view, if you find yourself thinking about quiet quitting, you actually need to be planning for actually quitting. Whether that is to change to a different career or to become your own boss is not the issue, you just can’t stay where you are. Your soul will die if you do. If you are someone who needs fulfilling work and wants to advance and progress, you owe it to yourself to move on. Quiet quitting is not the answer.
WHEN QUIET QUITTING WORKS
Having said all that, there is one time when a form of quiet quitting can work. And that is when you already have a plan B you are working to. So by that I mean you know that you will be leaving, but it suits you to stay where you are to pay the bills while you work on your escape plan. This is something I talk about with my clients. I call it the ‘cruise control’ way of working.
If you have cruise control in your car you’ll know that it’s when you select a speed and it will keep going at that speed until you intervene to speed up or slow down. So imagine that the speed you are on now at work (or when you were last happy in your job) is a high speed. You are going fast! You are committed to everything that you do, put your hand up for everything, and you’re always looking to impress so you can get a great annual review and progress up the ladder.
Now, if you are happy and passionate about what you do, this level of speed is sustainable, but if you are now less engaged or disengaged then it gets a lot harder to keep it up. Which can lead to burnout.
But if you have decided that you want to leave to become your own boss, you don't need to keep up that level. Because you are not looking to impress, you just need to get from a to b at a steady pace. So you can take your foot off the gas and lock in a speed you can handle but that leaves you time and energy in the tank. You don’t drop below it or speed up.
To do this you have to emotionally distance yourself from the company. You need to stop caring as much about its success and your part in it. Otherwise, you will constantly feel guilty when you are not doing what you know really is your best.
The difference or cruise control from quiet quitting is that this is a short-term gig only. Whether it's 6, 9, 12 or 24 months, there is an end in sight. Plus you are not disengaging yourself completely, you stay motivated and focused on your work and with your team, and you are not doing the bare minimum. You find a level of work that is manageable and where you can still perform well, but also find the time and mental energy to work on your escape plan.
I’m not saying it’s easy, you do have to get the balance right. But once you do you will be much happier. It will become something you do for money while you build your new future. All things that had driven you mad before just will not matter. You are leaving, your boss just does not know it yet!
THE BOTTOM LINE IS…
I believe quiet quitting should not be the answer to the hustle culture or unhappiness in your job in general. Work for most people is non-negotiable, we all want to earn a good income, but you have the freedom to choose what you do, when and where you do it and who you work with. Never forget that. You have the choice.
So if you are fed up, frustrated, unfulfilled, stressed or burnt out in your job. Do something about it! Break the cycle. Make your decision about what you want to do instead. If you aren’t sure what that is, then check out my free course on how you can decide your next move (see link below ⬇️)
Through a series of videos, I talk you through step by step how to get clear on what your next best move is. Then once you have made your decision, slip your job into cruise control and prioritise planning your escape route and navigating yourself out of the employee circus and into a new world where you call the shots!
Links Mentioned
>>FREE COURSE<< If you're feeling stuck and uncertain about what to do next in your working life, be sure to check out my free course "How to Decide Your Next Move." I guide you through the simple steps you need to take to get crystal clear on what you will do next in life, beyond the 9 to 5.
