About the Author

Felicia A. Williams is a freelance writer and blogger. She spends her time raising her family and writing. In addition to being the Insurance Feature Writer at Suite 101 and freelancing wherever she can, Felicia spends her time tinkering around with her sites, Tidbits and Stuff (a site full of useless and useful information), BLULOW, (all about living green) and Visit Hudson Valley.

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Are You Mentally Unemployable?

June 27th, 2008 • Related • Filed Under

I always thought I was fickle, but that’s not the case. In browsing through a forum the other day I found the proper diagnosis for my condition. I am Mentally Unemployable!

For those of you who just can’t seem to find the right job to keep you challenged and happy, maybe you’re suffering from the same condition. Here are a few clues to help you self diagnose:

You might be mentally unemployable if you don’t want to go to work at a job. The mentally unemployable don’t mind working, but it’s just the need to get up, get showered, dressed, make the lunches, get the kids off to school. They partake in the usual the usual morning madness of rushing just to hurry up and wait in traffic or on the train or in the elevator to get to a job where you spend hours in strategy meetings reviewing the same thing over and over again.
The mentally unemployable understand the merit rating system. If I work real hard, I should get really paid. If I sit at the water cooler all day, I shouldn’t get paid.

A mentally unemployable person’s middle name is efficiency. Mentally unemployable folks tend to find a faster more accurate way to accomplish a task. They get work done and get it done well.
The mentally unemployable just cannot stand the thought of wasting several prime hours in the morning commuting when they could actually be accomplishing a task that brings them closer to their goals.
The mentally unemployable are constantly flooded with ideas and new ways to accomplish tasks. Their minds are constantly flooded with brilliant ideas only to be shot down by upper management (who really doesn’t understand).
The mentally unemployable are bored at work. They lack a worthwhile mentally stimulating challenge.
The mentally unemployable constantly think of ways to earn money doing something they enjoy. It’s more than just a passing thought; it’s more like an obsession.

The irony of it is that the mentally unemployable are usually well-respected good employees because of their driven nature. They know how to view and analyze a situation, come up with a plan of action and implement it. They know what it takes to get things done.

If you suffer with at least half of the above symptoms, my friend, you are in the same boat as I am. Welcome to the mentally unemployable club (do not confuse mentally unemployable with work-aversion-itis).

Now that you have your diagnosis, what are you going to do about it?

There Are 13 Responses So Far. »

Comment by Jennifer Walker (3 comments.) on 8 July 2008:

That’s me to a T, and that is why I put in my notice yesterday! I just can’t bring myself to put energy into this crap anymore–and I’m getting really sick of other people’s need to “develop” me. I don’t need development, I need to be left alone to do my job! Oops, I’m ranting…
Comment by Felicia on 10 July 2008:

Jennifer, You are an inspiration!

I wish you the best. Congrats on quitting your job. Your energy and passion for your new venture is going to carry you a long way!

I’ll keep checking your blog to see how you’re doing.

Best wishes!
Comment by leen on 4 August 2008:

Until today I seriously think I’m the one with the problem while everyone else seems to be finding their niche and work happily ever after, I’m still trying to figure out how to avoid having a boss at all.

Now I know I’m not mentally retarded in the employment world, what a relief….fuh!

Thanks for the article.

leens last blog post..A Quick Story
Comment by Jessica (1 comments.) on 9 August 2009:

WOW!!

Well!

At least I know i’m not alone.

I’ve been unemployed for about a year now….lol…it’s ridiculous how much I can relate to this article…
Comment by Felicia on 9 August 2009:

I have the feeling there are a lot of mentally unemployable folks out there (they just refuse to admit it).
Comment by Seema on 12 September 2009:

Hey Felicia,

While I’ve been reading all your posts regularly…I do not drop in a comment so often.

While I have been suffering from this “Mentally Unemployable” state since 4 months now….job is indeed a struggle!!!

Your blog has been a real inspiration. Though residuals is not currently my way of earning…I am planning to take it up soon after I leave my job.

Read this post at just THE RIGHT TIME …
Comment by Seema on 13 September 2009:

Hey Felicia….

I finally have touched the stepping stone to residuals

Just signed up for Suite101 and got accepted as a contributing writer. Any piece of advice for me?
Comment by Felicia on 13 September 2009:

Congrats, Seema.

My only advice is to keep writing. The Suite 101 editors will guide you. If you follow their minimum writing requirements you’ll earn money. If you write more than the minimum, you’ll earn more money.

Good luck!
Comment by Patricia on 19 November 2009:

It is interesting to know I am not alone. I didn’t figure it out myself, but a boss of mine told me, “you are unemployable.” This hurt my feelings a lot. I am smart, educated, and just like you said! I blame it on our education system. Many of us are indigos. Google or bing this for description. Not all students need to be taught the same way! I am all for the Montesori Schools and other new thought schools that concentrate on a students strengths and talents along with facts and figures!
Comment by Felicia on 19 November 2009:

Indigo, I never heard of that phrase before. I don’t know if I’m an indigo or not, but the thought of working at a job makes my stomach turn.

I think your boss did you a favor when he/she told you that you were unemployable. I wish someone would have told me that earlier. It would have saved me a lot of time trying to figure it out on my own.
Comment by DQ (1 comments.) on 2 December 2009:

Felicia,

I just found your site last night, and it has been a wealth of inspiration already! This article sums up what I’ve been feeling about work since I set foot in my first corporate America job a few years ago. I have an entrepreneurial/ non profit background, so it’s been an adjustment going from “my” schedule to “theirs.” I am ready to break free.

I’m no longer sad to be mentally unemployable. I miss being my own boss anyway.
DQ´s last blog ..What I Know for Sure
Comment by VC Drake (2 comments.) on 8 December 2009:

I love it! That’s brilliant. I saw this post at the bottom under “A Few Favorite Posts” and instantly clicked it. It is so great to read about how I feel about jobs outside of the home and now I have a name for it too!
Comment by Elizabeth (1 comments.) on 28 December 2009:

For me this is so true I have made it my mission to earn from home only and never have a boss again. I love being around people but I do not like to waste my time working for a few bucks and never really going no where. Nice post and thanks for sharing your thoughts.