Hi Oddies,

Let's Talk About That Whole "Nobody Wants to Work Anymore" Thing

If you've been anywhere near social media, the water cooler, or basically any place where humans gather and chat, you've probably heard someone grumble, "Nobody wants to work anymore."

And let's be real, maybe you've even thought it yourself.

But hang on a sec – is that really what's going on?

Let's dig into this whole mess and see if we can't find some light at the end of the cubicle, shall we?

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Ps. My favorite ways to make side hustle money on a chilly weekend:

Make Money Stack:

• Poshmark: I sell clothes and other items around the house

• Etsy: Dreaming up what to sell on this platform.

• Survey Junkie: Get paid to take surveys

• Howl: How I get affiliate/brand deals as a creator

What's Really Behind This "No Work" Vibe?

Okay, so when people say nobody wants to work, they're not actually suggesting we've all decided to become professional couch potatoes (though let's be honest, sometimes that sounds pretty tempting). There's a whole lot more going on under the surface — and there are a million articles that have explored this information. But let’s sum up the details of what they are all sort of saying.

1. The Great Expectation Shift: Millennials and Gen Z aren't just avocado toast aficionados – they're bringing a whole new vibe to the workplace. Work-life balance isn't just a nice-to-have; it's a must-have. And finding meaning in what they do? That's not optional.

2. The Money Squeeze: Let's talk cash. The cost of living is doing the cha-cha slide up, up, and away, but paychecks? They're doing more of a awkward shuffle in place. No wonder people are feeling a bit... miffed. It feels like the raise you may or may not get every year is barely enough to pay off your credit card bill.

3. Burnout City, Population: Too Many: Remember when "leaving work at work" was a thing? Yeah, me neither. With our phones buzzing 24/7 and the lines between office and home blurrier than ever, how can you not feel burnt out?

4. Job Market Musical Chairs: Robots are cool and all, but when they're gunning for your job? Not so much. The job market's changing faster than fashion trends, and it's leaving a lot of folks feeling like they're wearing last season's skills. AI is taking jobs. That’s a fact.

5. The Pandemic Plot Twist: COVID-19 didn't just make us all sourdough experts; it made us question EVERYTHING. Suddenly, risking your health for a job you're not even that into doesn't seem like such a great deal.

Feeling "Meh" About Work? Try These Mood Boosters

If you're in a slump so deep you could serve soup in it, don't worry. We've all been there. Here are some ideas to help you climb out:

1. Play Detective: What's really bugging you? Is it your actual tasks, your boss who thinks "ASAP" is a time of day, or maybe something in your personal life? Pinpointing the problem is half the battle.

2. Dream a Little Dream: Set some goals that make you want to jump out of bed (or at least not hit snooze 17 times). Maybe it's learning a new skill or swapping careers. Give yourself something to work toward.

3. Spice It Up: Bored? Chat with your boss about taking on a project that makes your heart go pitter-patter. You might be surprised at how open they are to ideas. OR — start a side hustle // odd job.

4. Build Your Fort: Boundaries aren't just for toddlers. Learn to say "no" to that 10 PM email or working through lunch. Your sanity will thank you.

5. Find Your Work BFFs: Everything's better with friends, including work. This one isn’t always soooo easy to do though.

6. Never Stop Learning: Pick up a new skill, attend a workshop, heck, learn to juggle if it'll make your day more interesting. Keeping your brain engaged is key.

7. Gratitude Attitude: I know, I know, it sounds cheesy. But taking a moment each day to think, "Hey, at least I'm not stuck in a phone booth with a angry goat" (or whatever you're grateful for) can work wonders.

8. Explore the In-House Menu: Before you jump ship, see if there's a different role at your current company that gets you excited. Sometimes a change of scenery is all you need, even if it's just moving to a different floor.

Your Skills Are Your Superpower – Use Them!

Think your skills are only good for your current gig? Think again, superhero! Your talents can probably save the day in more ways than you realize:

1. Skill Inventory Party: Grab a beverage of choice and list out everything you're good at. And I mean everything – even if it's just "can binge-watch an entire series in one weekend." You never know what might be valuable!

2. Coffee Date (or Zoom) with the Pros: Reach out to people doing cool stuff that intrigues you. Most folks love talking about themselves and their jobs. It's like free career window shopping!

3. Freelance Fandango: Got a skill? There's probably someone out there willing to pay for it. Websites like Upwork or Fiverr are like dating apps, but for your talents and people's projects.

4. The Sidestep Shuffle: Look for jobs that use your skills but in a totally different context. Good at calming down angry customers? Maybe crisis management is your calling!

5. Be Your Own Boss: Always dreamed of being the one to decide when casual Friday happens? Starting your own business could be your ticket to freedom (and potentially more stress, but hey, you can't win 'em all).

Alternative Careers for the Adventurous Soul

Ready to take the leap into something totally different? Here are some ideas to get your imagination going:

1. Digital Nomad Extraordinaire: With a good Wi-Fi connection and a sense of adventure, you can work from anywhere. Bali beach office, anyone?

2. Gig Economy Guru: From driving for rideshare apps to TaskRabbiting your way through odd jobs, the gig economy is like a buffet of work opportunities.

3. Creator of Cool Stuff: Whether it's writing the next great American novel, designing funky t-shirts, or making animations of cats doing taxes, there's a market for creativity.

4. Knowledge Ninja: Got expertise? Share it! Teaching, tutoring, or creating online courses lets you pass on your wisdom (and potentially make bank doing it).

5. Do-Gooder Professional: Non-profits and social enterprises are always looking for passionate people. Why not save the world and get paid for it?

6. Tech Wizard: With the right training (and a lot of coffee), you could transform into a coding maestro or data science whiz.

7. Wellness Warrior: From personal training to nutrition coaching, helping people feel awesome can be an awesome career.

8. Green Guardian: As the world gets more eco-conscious, careers in sustainability and environmental protection are growing faster than weeds in my neglected garden.

The good news? We're living in a time with more career flexibility and options than ever before. It might take some soul-searching, skill-building, and maybe a few leaps of faith, but finding work that lights you up is totally possible.

So, the next time you feel like work is a four-letter word (which, technically, it is, but you know what I mean), remember: it's not about not wanting to work. It's about wanting work that works for you. Now go out there and find your jam – or better yet, create it yourself! Stick with us at Odd Jobs. We’ll keep sending you the best gigs to try that actually make money. You've got this! 💪✨

Love,

Jen Glantz

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