Speaking from my own experience, in the three years since graduating from graduate school, I've changed four companies (laughs). Only the first one and my current company have been somewhat longer; the other two lasted a month and a half and three months respectively, and neither really counts as part of my resume.
But if there were a good company, who would want to keep leaving? Were the companies I left really that bad? Not necessarily. They were all large companies, but some didn't match my interests and were just temporary shelters, while others had chaotic company systems and personnel issues, which is why I left.
Actually, analyzing objectively, I can categorize this into three types of workplace anxiety.
1. Frequent job-hopping that won't stop, unable to find a sense of achievement
In the workplace, some people experience frequent job changes. Going through four or five companies in just one year—finding a job might seem easy, but every job leaves them unsatisfied. Either they're dissatisfied with the salary or company management, or with interpersonal relationships or work content. Frequent job-hopping becomes a habit, but when will it ever stop?
2. Many interview opportunities, but forgetting what you want, ultimately landing a job that isn't what you wanted at the time
When first graduating, everyone has plans for what kind of career they want to pursue. However, some careers require "experience" rather than education. Large companies might not care if you're a "Slash" talent—a resume full of varied experiences without a specific field might seem like you've gained a lot, but in people's eyes it becomes "just dabbling."
Therefore, when starting the job search, there are many setbacks. You forget your own requirements and ideals, and in the end you don't stick to your original desired job. You settle for a "passable" salary, and negative attitudes emerge. When you see friends around you loving their jobs, you can't help but ask yourself whether you're worthless.
3. Can't escape the comfort zone, ultimately becoming a "boiled frog"
After spending many years at a company, you watch colleagues around you come and go in cycles, and you want to have the courage they do. But after years of work, you've never experienced a job change, or even switched departments. For three to five years you've been doing similar related tasks, and you no longer know how to write a resume or attend interviews. In the end, you want to leave but don't dare to, unsure where the future lies.
What should you do?
1. Adjust your psychological state
Many people think this is "stating the obvious," but a person's mental well-being and their attitude toward the outside world are closely related. Fresh out of school, you might think you can take on great responsibilities, but you must recognize that this is unlikely. (Extended reading: The Korean drama"Misaeng"realistically reveals: Work is a process of building "trust".)
So for friends with workplace anxiety, you must maintain a positive and optimistic attitude toward life, view every matter objectively, work hard to do what you should do, treat others generously, or consciously shift your attention to activities you're interested in, allowing your unsettled mindset to gradually calm down.
2. Find a sense of achievement
A sense of achievement can make people more confident and help you understand what "achievements" you can accomplish in this job and how to accomplish them (Extended reading: Learn to "hide anxiety" in the workplace and grow from opportunitiesby seizing chances to perform) rather than staying in one place, repeating the same cycle, without seeking change.
Once you've gained a sense of achievement, you can better eliminate workplace anxiety, because someone with a sense of achievement typically feels more fulfilled internally and is filled with strength. Therefore, those suffering from workplace anxiety should continuously increase their sense of achievement, recharge themselves when appropriate, and continue working hard for your career.
3. Find meaning in life, not meaning in work
Many people become fixated on career development, their boss's attention, and what their peers think. In essence, they're concerned about the pressure others place on them, creating a "comparison" mindset. They think others are developing well and progressing smoothly in their careers, so they want to do the same things, or they believe their own work has no meaning and no future.
However, the truth is "work is only part of life." There's no need to focus solely on work while neglecting family and leisure. Work can be a tool for earning money, a way to make friends, or the pursuit of life ideals, but the key is to find meaning in your own life from it, rather than meaning given by work. This way, work won't tie you down emotionally.
