Reading this piece reminded me of how recruiters motivate candidates to make a change when they are unhappy (passive) but not doing anything about it. Let me know if you agree.
Most of the time, we compartmentalize our dissatisfaction and frustration. It’s something that we try to sweep away and force a grin in spite of our obvious unrest. And the more we strain for indifference, the more the wheel of discord keeps spinning.
For a long time I thought that my frustration and unhappiness was something annoying, yet inevitable, that had to be tolerated or ignored. Maybe you’ve felt like this too. It’s difficult to see unwanted emotions as anything but undesirable. Ignorance doesn’t help much, does it?
But what if these alleged mind-leeches were actually beneficial? And what if they were actually there to serve us, and to do some greater good?
Passive vs. Active Dissatisfaction
There are two ways to approach dissatisfaction: passively or actively.
Passive dissatisfaction most commonly involves complaining about something, but not doing much to change or transform the situation. It’s pretty much saying “This sucks, but it’s just the way it is.”
Active dissatisfaction, on the other hand, is looking behind the curtain of our unhappiness and asking, “What is this trying to tell me? What is the purpose of this dissatisfaction?”
Continue reading “Your Dissatisfaction Is A Gift”