THE TRAP OF 9 TO 5 EMPLOYMENT
Disclaimer: I am not against being employed in a 9 to 5 job. This post is about pitfalls to beware of.

The last 9 to 5 ended in July 2020 quite suddenly due to the impact of COVID on donor funding.

Some of what I am sharing is what I reflected on especially after my contract which had been renewed for almost 10 years was not. I had 2 days notice via a quick call that it would not be renewed and that was it! (story for another day ).

Here's some of what I realised after and even discussed with colleagues who also had the same experience:

1. You are not indispensable. So don't take things too personal.

2. Save! Save! Save! The lull of a regular salary can make you careless. For us, the 26th of the month was the sweet spot. People actually freaked out if for any reason, there was no 'alert by end of day'. I, by God's grace had some premonition and started saving from 2 years before. I could have done better because I finally felt the pinch about a year of being out of full time employment.

3. Personal development is IMPORTANT! Very few of us colleagues made the time to acquire post-graduate degrees because we were “too busy”. Personally, I had flunked out of a masters programme and didn’t follow up on other chances. I managed to get a professional certification but I could have done better.

4. Build your social capital: Don’t get sucked into the office politics so much that you don’t make connections professionally and personally.

5. Make time for your family: It was after I left that I realised that I didn’t reeeeeallly know my children as well as I thought. Many experienced that with COVID because the stay-at-home re-introduced us to family and it was shocking. Wave your hand if you know what I mean.

6. Don’t burn bridges: I thought I was treated shabbily and wanted to lose it BUT I didn’t. No one can quote silence so no matter the temptation, keep connections (they may be weak but let them exist), you don’t know when you might need them.

7. Manage your time wisely: In retrospect, ALL the tasks that used to take me forever in 9 to 5 are now a bump in the road. Those long chats over a 2 hour lunch and meetings which go on forever? I realised, we waste a lot of time because a salary will come regardless. Use saved time for personal development, family and building social capital.

8. Self care: Rest and take care of yourself. Nothing can buy good health after irreparable damage has been done. USE your health insurance to care for you/your family... check ups, eyes, teeth, gym. Use it!

There are more but this is the time I have for now!

Watch Out for SMJAY CONCEPT..... We making a difference

Threesha:

Threesha:
There's a mini flat in Ijegun-Ikotun Lagos

Tiles
Interlocking floor
Parking space
Water

Rent
=N= 200,000
Call zero 8 15 one 346 five 7 nine

Kindly share or rebroadcast.

Thank you

SMJay:
is this available?

Threesha:
Yes

SMJay:
The number is switched off

Threesha:
Kindly try again