9 to 5 Job Meaning
For many people the 9 to 5 job meaning borders around any job that requires its staff to work from 9 to 5. In the actual sense, the 9 to 5 term is used to describe normal routine jobs that are most time boring and unfulfilling. Your purpose is to collect the cheques and keep your life afloat. It is also called a 9 to 5 job because it is the normal working hours for many employees. In Nigeria, it is from 8 am to 5 pm.
The 9 to 5 That Kills
Zero work-life balance
The 9 to 5 job that kills gives no room for a work-life balance. If your work consumes you so much, you have no time to actually live, that 9 to 5 will kill you. A lack of work-life balance will cause you to withdraw from the world and lose yourself. Eventually, you might lose your mind. A lost mind is mentally unhealthy and an unhealthy mind is the quickest killer.
No job security
One of the motivators of a 9 to 5 job is job security. A good 9 to 5 will make you feel secure as this will boost your productivity and willingness to work and grow a business. A 9 to 5 that will kill you has no job security, your position is constantly shaken. It is emotionally and mentally scarring to constantly have to look over your shoulder at work. This simple act will create a disturbed member of staff who is paranoid. Imagine if every member of staff feels the same way, everyone will crumble.
Little or no room for growth
A job with little or no room for growth is not a job, but a simple fact, a death sentence. Every job should foster growth because a job is a position that gives you the power to impact others and yourself. Your execution of that job determines your growth. A good 9 to 5 will not keep you stagnant, it will make room for growth. If not within the organisation, you can grow beyond it.
Stifles creativity
A 9 to 5 job that will kill you stifles your creativity. In every organisation the need for creativity is constant. You may not be drawing or designing but executing tasks and strategies requires creativity. Making sure the brand is number one requires creativity too. However, an environment that stifles this creativity will kill you faster than a snake bite. A worthy 9 to 5 job gives you room to be creative while following the guidelines set by the house style.
Office politics
Office politics in itself kills a standard 9 to 5 operating business. This form of politics is the use of power, influence and social networking to influence decisions in the organisations to favour the company or individual(s). However you wish to put it, office politics is selfish and is a constant thorn in your flesh when you are not the beneficiary.
The obvious presence of office politics at a 9 to 5 job will demoralise workers who are not ready to suck up to the influencer. Also, it stimulates a nonchalant approach to work. This is because staff members could care less, office politics will still ruin the fun.
Takes a toll on your mental health
Any job that takes a toll on your mental health can kill you. Every 9 to 5 is tasking in some way or another. However, a job that results in a mental break down should be avoided. Mental health is defined as the state of an individual who is functioning at a satisfactory level of emotional and behavioural adjustment. One who is mentally unwell cannot work effectively.
In Nigeria, the mental health awareness covers new grounds every day, however, most people will pick the damaging 9 to 5 jobs over their health. A good majority do not even know they are mentally unhealthy. Symptoms include Feeling sad or down, confused thinking, withdrawal from friend and activities, low energy, insomnia, inability to cope with daily issues, trouble understanding, paranoia, delusions, hallucinations, excessive fears, extreme mood swings, anxiety, sadness, hostility, substance abuse, suicidal thoughts, etc.
You anticipate 5
Millions of people in the workforce go to work only to anticipate at 5 pm. That is the hour of freedom. It is normal to anticipate the close of work and enjoy work, however, it is a problem when you just want to be anywhere but at work. A 9 to 5 job like that can be depressing. This way, you have detached yourself completely from your job. Your body works but your mind is elsewhere.
It is your only option.
When you are aware that your 9 to 5 job will kill you but you stay anyway, it is awful. The economic situation in Nigeria has made the majority vulnerable and, be sure the job will do its work. Some people have to settle for less than their qualifications demand because there is no other option. The lack of options is a choker.
Alternative Lifestyle
Freelance
Freelancing is a fast-growing alternative lifestyle to the 9 to 5. A freelancer is self-employed and is not committed to any employer for a long term period. If you do not like the 9 to 5 job structure and you want something a bit more flexible. This lifestyle is easily adaptable for creatives and individuals who work directly with creatives in fields like marketing, public relations, editing, sales, etc.
Entrepreneurship
If you do not like the 9 to 5 job, employ yourself. Delve into that one thing you have always wanted. Invest your funds and rip the benefits. However, entrepreneurship might sometimes be presented as a gold mine but it is not for everyone. Entrepreneurship takes a lot of guts and capital, it also requires a lot of mental and emotional strength. It is not as safe and secure as a 9 to 5 because income is neither fixed nor steady. However, if you are passionate, you will love it. Entrepreneurship is the process of designing, launching and running a business if you want to know.
