3 (Real) Reasons That Made Me Quit 9-to-5
Humans are not just human resources, they are human beings.
One notification on my phone that I haven’t disabled — rather, it feels like a warm embrace when I receive it — is “Memories.”
Be it memories from my journals or photos/videos captured in the past, they always impart valuable life lessons.
One such photo memory gently buzzed my phone while I was with my son in the sand park, like a sweet whisper from the past.
A photo of me from 2021 captures a phase filled with career turmoil. Despite looking younger in that photo, sadness lingered in my eyes.
This phase ultimately led to quitting my 9-to-5 job in 2022.
I had always blamed my decision to leave on a poor performance appraisal.
Looking at that 2021 memory, I realised it wasn’t the appraisal; it was something deeper.
#1
Some statements sparkle like mirages in the desert — captivating and inspiring from afar, yet lacking substance.
Let me illustrate with an example I followed, which ultimately backfired:
“Work as the CEO of your function.”
“Be a leader in your role, regardless of your title.”
“Act as if you’re the owner of the company.”
You’ve likely encountered variations of these in your corporate life.
The reality behind all these statements boils down to one thing: “Seek approval from your manager.”
Essentially, it means: “Think and work as your manager wants you to.”
I am a rebel.
I have never felt like an employee.
Reality check — I despise the term “employee.”
I took these statements to heart. I operated as the CEO of my function, taking full ownership.
However, one project went awry, and I was ousted from my function.
It hurt because, out of dozens of successful projects, I failed in one.
And I failed because my manager did not align with my vision for that project.
Thus, I say: “Think and work as your manager wants you to.”
If you don’t, two outcomes await:
- Removal from the project or function.
- Termination from the company.
You are merely an employee seeking approval from your manager.
#2
There’s a Hindi Bollywood song:
Duniya me rehna hai to kaam kar pyaare.
Haath Jod sabko salaam kar pyaare.
Varna yeh duniya jeene nai degi, khane nai degi, peene nai degi.
Translated, it means:
To live in this world, my friend, you gotta hustle hard.
Join your hands and greet everyone, my friend, play it smart.
Otherwise, this world won’t let you live, eat, or drink my friend; it’ll just be a charade!
In life, success generally requires two things:
- Hard work
- Sincerity and discipline
In corporate life, however, you need to:
- Please people
- “Show off” hard work
I never quite understood this.
As a human, I experience a range of moods. When you go to a place (like an office) every day, your true self inevitably shows.
Reality check — there’s always a mask on your face, ALWAYS!
Even in performance appraisals, your behavior carries weight.
Seriously?
Are people working to please others or to get the job done?
Very confusing!
#3
One of the biggest challenges I faced in my 9-to-5 was statements like this:
“I think you should approach this problem like this.”
In reality, it means: “You will do it this way.”
This top-down approach is common in most companies.
Every person is unique, yet managers often expect the entire team to think and work like them.
It’s assumed that your manager is a better human than you — you must listen to them.
If you fail, it’s your failure.
If you succeed, it’s the manager’s success.
A better approach would be:
“This is what needs to be done because…”
Followed by a discussion on timelines.
This approach motivates the doer and yields better results over time.
It also filters out lazy and uncommitted individuals, which benefits the company.
What now?
If you’re facing any of these challenges:
- Discuss them with your manager to find solutions.
- Consider changing functions or working under a different manager.
- Explore opportunities at a new company or even in a different country.
And the best advice:
“Quit the 9-to-5.”
The chances of landing your so-called “dream job” are close to zero.
If you find yourself unable to take any of these steps, you might be addicted to the lethal drug — “Salary.”
