Tag Archives: shift work jobs

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Shift Work Jobs. Are You Really Cut Out For One?

shift work jobAs I write this post, somewhere in the world right now it’s the middle of the night and even though most are sound asleep and tucked into bed, there will be someone, somewhere – working.

In fact there are literally millions of people on the planet who work in some kind of job involving shift work.

There are also many who work in roles that are not technically classified as shift work, but due to the extra hours placed on employees to get a job done, many employers expect their employees to stay back and work after hours – many of whom are unpaid.

The sad reality is we are becoming a society that never stops.

24/7 is becoming the new 9 to 5.

So if you’re new to shift work or about to begin a shift working job, have you thought deeply about what you’re about to embark on? That is, whether you’re really cut out for working irregular hours.

Because shift work is hard, and it’s certainly not for everyone.

I remember my first shift working job interview (at the tender age of 21) was for a Passenger Service Agent position working at the international airport.  The 3 person panel interviewers did not mention anything to me about how working irregular hours was going to impact on my personal health and well-being.

And it does. Enormously.

Of course it’s not all doom and gloom.  It’s about being prepared.

Here’s a few ideas to help get you started.

1. Be very organised. Plan your meals in advance and buy your groceries accordingly. So many shift workers experience ill health and weight gain soon after starting shift work because they feel too tired to eat properly. Always remember that the fastest and most convenient way to acquire food is not usually the healthiest.

2. Keep your friends and family informed.  Let them know when you’re working irregular hours because unexpected visitors and phone calls don’t help an already disrupted sleeping regime.

3. Keep your body moving. In many cases, exercise is the first thing to be given the flick when starting a new shift working job as your energy levels tend to flounder. The key thing to remember is that exercise will provide you with more energy, whereas no exercise will only escalate your fatigue.

So if you’re new to shift work and unsure whether it’s going to be right for you, give yourself a fighting chance by taking extra good care of your health. Make it your number one priority so that your transition from non-shift worker to shift worker is a much more enjoyable and easier one.

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Shift Work Career – Are Your Limiting Beliefs Holding You Back?

As you get up and go into work every day do you ever feel like you’re trundling through life on a treadmill? Do you feel like your shift work career has reached a bit of a standstill?

If so, then welcome to the ‘Frustrated Shift Workers Club’.

You see for many employees who have stayed in their shift working job for a number of years, this feeling of “going through the motions” is particularly evident.

And the problem with staying in a job for a considerable length of time is you begin to feel “comfortable” and the idea of changing jobs to further your shift work career can feel a little overwhelming.

Actually I’m going to rephrase this and say extremely overwhelming.

If fact many of us lose confidence in our ability to go on and do something different.

This lack of confidence stems from negative thoughts going through our head which can sometimes lead to placing imaginary ceilings or restrictions on ourselves – whether it be in our job, if we’re wanting to lose weight or in the amount of income we are earning.

These restrictions or limitations are called our limiting beliefs.

So if you don’t believe you are good enough to go on and do something else then that’s exactly what’s going to happen. You will stay put in a job or a shift work career you no longer enjoy.

You basically resign yourself to thinking … “well this is how’s it’s going to be.”

Yet one of the greatest threats in life is our comfort zone.

You have to learn to have the courage to step out of it. Learn something new so that you can grow and prosper! Don’t get stuck in the status quo.

So even though you may feel this is not possible right now – you really do have a choice.

It’s a decision.

You can make the decision to improve your shift working career (or even quit shift work altogether and do something completely different) – or you can stay where you are and spend the rest of your life feeling miserable and blaming others for your unhappiness.

But this is not living – it’s just ‘existing.’

Even though you may have certain responsibilities and financial commitments in your life right now, you can always start by taking small steps. Enquire about signing up for a course part-time or do some volunteer work to learn new skills.

If you really want your circumstances to change you will find a way.

So if you’re feeling frustrated in your current shift work career, you have to be prepared to step out of your comfort zone and take a few risks. Don’t let your limiting beliefs hold you back because in essence that’s all they really are – a belief.

Start believing you can do anything you want – change your attitude and your way of thinking and then watch your career (and your life) take a massive leap forward in the direction you’ve always wanted.