Hi!
In the past week there has been some thought-provoking conversation online about the idea of “Quiet quitting.” In short, the concept means NOT quitting your job, but not doing anything at all beyond your precise job description. It describes people opting out of all the extra tasks or responsibilities they’ve taken on, all the extra work or time or effort they’ve been putting in without being recognized or paid. This feels to many people like the answer to still earning a paycheck but not feeling so overwhelmed.
In short, people are searching for things they can control, without having to communicate their needs or struggles.
In most situations, this isn’t going to work.
But if you read that description and it sounded appealing to you, that is important to notice! That means that you are feeling overwhelmed, underappreciated and at a loss for how to make things better at work. Or maybe at home or in your relationship or in your volunteer role, or your extended family.
And if you read that description and it reminded you of someone who works with (or for) you, or someone you live with… that is also excellent information. That means perhaps they are feeling overwhelmed, without knowing how to communicate their struggles.
I’m not asking you to stand on one side of the quiet quitting issue or another. I’m not asking you to make a moral judgment about whether or not this is an acceptable path. Though plenty of people online will jump into that fray if you want the argument.
I’m asking you to
- Notice if you or someone in your life is quiet quitting.
- Ask yourself or that person why that is.
- Figure out the struggle behind the behavior – and how you want to navigate that.
Quiet quitting isn’t a great longterm solution – but it is an important symptom that someone is less resilient than they would like to be.
And if I can help, please hit reply and let me know.
All my best,
Dr. G
