When Your Job Doesn't Fit, Your Wallet (And Health) Pays the Price
When Your Job Doesn't Fit, Your Wallet (And Health) Pays the Price
4 ways this type of burnout is silently draining your productivity, health, and bank account.
Every night before work I felt restless.
Sometimes I’d lay in bed till 3 am, staring at the ceiling unable to sleep.
….heart pounding…mind racing, yet unable to figure out what’s wrong.
A nagging feeling was telling me that the job I had wasn’t the right fit.
It didn’t represent me at my best, but I ignored it. I pushed through by telling myself that I should be “grateful” to be employed and maybe it’d get better if I gave it more time.
Spoiler alert: It didn't. Here’s why:
What I was experiencing wasn’t the “normal” stress of a challenging job. It was misalignment burnout — a slow, insidious drain on my energy, passion, and ultimately, my paycheck.
Misalignment burnout is a silent thief. It robs you of joy, focus, and energy.
It’s not just about hating your job. It’s about feeling disconnected from your values, your purpose, and your own potential.
This disconnect creates a constant stress response, wearing down your body and mind.
But there’s hope. By recognizing the signs and taking proactive steps, you can break free from the grip of misalignment burnout and create a career that brings you joy and satisfaction.
Are you paying the price for misalignment burnout?
Here are four ways this hidden career killer is sabotaging your success:
1/The productivity paradox: doing more, achieving less
When your values and skills don’t align with your role, it creates a friction that sabotages your best efforts.
You might be putting in the hours, forcing yourself to do work that doesn’t come naturally, but it will only lead to frustration, procrastination, and a sharp decline in productivity.
A Gallup study found that only 36% of employees are engaged in their work, with a staggering 15% actively disengaged. That lack of engagement translates directly to lost productivity and ultimately, financial loss for companies and employees.
How I turned this challenge around: Once I left my last call center customer center job, I decided to get clear on what my strengths and passions were by taking assessments and journaling.
Turns out that teaching/training was a better fit. From there I sought out roles that would leverage my natural talents, allowing me to work in a state of flow versus friction. I was able to change careers in less than 2 years.
2/The health hazard of misalignment
Chronic stress from misalignment can wreak havoc on your physical and mental health.
You may experience headaches, insomnia, digestive problems, or even more serious conditions like heart disease and depression.
The World Health Organization recognizes burnout as an occupational phenomenon, linked to increased risk of illness and decreased well-being.
How I turned this challenge around: One previous job I had would stress me out so bad that even my children told me I should quit.
I eventually did just that and incorporated stress-reducing activities into my life like walking, meditation, and deep breathing exercises.
I also spent a few years in therapy to reset and reframe my outlook on the future.
3/The financial drain of misalignment
Misalignment burnout often leads to costly mistakes, poor decision-making, and missed opportunities.
You might miss deadlines, overlook important details, or simply lack the motivation to go above and beyond. My last bout with misalignment burnout cost me a raise and that really hurt. I’m still feeling the ripple effects of that loss today.
A study by the American Psychological Association found that workplace stress costs U.S. businesses an estimated $500 billion annually in absenteeism, turnover, and decreased productivity.
4/The career cul-de-sac
The first time I associated the term “cul-de-sac” (meaning dead-end in French) with my career was after reading, “The Dip: A Little Book That Teaches You When to Quit (and When to Stick)” by Seth Godin.
Here’s what Seth said about the Cul-de-Sac:
“There’s not a lot to say about the Cul-de-Sac except to realize that it exists and to embrace the fact that when you find one, you need to get off it, fast. That’s because a dead end is keeping you from doing something else. The opportunity cost of investing your life in something that’s not going to get better is just too high.”
Feeling stuck in a misaligned role can lead to a sense of hopelessness and stagnation. You may feel like you’re on a treadmill, going nowhere fast.
This can result in missed promotions, lost opportunities for growth, and a general feeling of dissatisfaction with your career trajectory.
I am currently in a Cul-de-Sac in my current job (not the field). There’s nothing particularly bad about it, yet it is not giving me space to be great at the things I am naturally good at or passionate about.
I expressed my interests in doing something that aligned more with my strengths, and interests (coaching, employee development, and organizational development).
The response was, “we don’t have a position for that type of work.”
How I am turning this challenge around: I’ll admit, that response from management was discouraging, but I reframed it as fuel to pursue my dream of owning my own business.
I incorporated my business name, created a newsletter and a few digital products.
I’m completing my M.S. Organizational Psychology program(1 classes left). I intend to focus on consulting in talent and organizational development.
If you’re feeling stuck in a cul-de-sac, it’s time to take action. Start exploring your passions, invest in your skills, and don’t be afraid to create your own path.
Final Thoughts
Misalignment burnout is a silent career killer, but it doesn’t have to be your fate. You have the power to break free and turn things around.
By taking the time to understand your values, strengths, and passions, you can create a career compass that guides you towards deeper alignment and career satisfaction. I created a Career Alignment Compass to help you if you need it.
Invest in yourself, explore new possibilities, and don’t be afraid to break free from the mold. Remember, your career is a journey, not a destination. It’s never too late to make a change and create a career (and life) that fulfills you.