Is it time for a new job?

Hey friends! I’ve been into this whole reading thing lately and I’m looking for some good beach reads for this summer! If anyone has any recs, reply to this email and let me know. I’ll make sure to share them! Is that…a WorkDaze Summer Book Club I smell?

Friday feels: The musical motivation you need to break free and get out there to explore the job market.

—Rod

How to Know It's Time for a New Job

 question 
How do I know when it’s time to move on from my current company? Most people at my company have been there for a minimum of 10 years and I don’t want to get stuck in that cycle, but I don’t want to look like a quitter either. I’m still young and want to explore my options before I get too old to want to switch it up!—E.

 answer 
Couple things here.

1) It doesn’t matter how long your coworkers have been at your company because they aren’t you! You have one life to live, and if you’re getting an itch to explore other career opportunities, get out there and scratch it!

2) If you have kind and caring coworkers, they’ll be happy to see you pursue your goals and dreams.

Bottom line? I’m a fan of trying something new…and, tbh, exploring different jobs. That’s because every new work experience has helped me learn new skills and the difference between what I do and don’t like in my professional life.

A few things that told me I was ready to move on from a job back before I had my dream gig (newsletter writer/voice of a generation)?

• Feeling unfulfilled: When I started rewatching Gilmore Girls for the 100th time instead of working on the project I was assigned, I knew I had to make a change. I was bored, unmotivated, and uninterested in my work.

• Getting curious: I started “just looking” more and more at other jobs and companies (on my work computer 🥴).

• Pondering my future: I thought about my long-term career goals and didn’t see my then-job as a stepping stone to get to them.

If your gut is telling you that your current job isn’t it, get out there and explore your options. You never know what good things you’ll find if you don’t break free.

Thanks for the “Thanks??”

 question 
When people email you “Thank you!” or “Thanks” should you respond back to it? I never do and am wondering if that’s rude or I’m doing them a favor by sending fewer emails?—K.

 answer 
Ah, polite email ping pong (the only version of ping pong I’ve ever won). My advice is to think about who you’re facing off against. Your work bestie? They don’t need to hear you say “you’re welcome and thank you!” 47 times. But the CEO of your company? Shania Twain? Maybe cover all your bases with oooone more response.

Generally speaking, though, I consider a thank you email to be the end of the conversation. Remember, everyone’s inboxes are already overflowing with unread emails, we don’t need a two-word “you’re welcome” message on top of all those summer sale emails we swear we’ll come back to.

Got a Q for me to A? Submit yours here.

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What do burnout and low-rise jeans have in common?

No matter what the fashion girlies on TikTok say and no matter what baggage you’re carrying from your last toxic boss…low-rise jeans and burnout do not look good on you.*

We know breaking toxic habits is easier said than done. But if you’re looking to arm yourself with the knowledge and insight you need, WorkLab’s podcast episode with Gretchen Rubin, author of “The Happiness Project,” is the place to start.

In the episode, Rubin highlights the profound impact of solid relationships and self-awareness in the workplace. She uncovers strategies that unlock well-being, from the importance of having work buddies to adapting schedules for morning or non-morning people…BRB as you slack this to your work bestie.

Our key takeaway from the conversation? Just like the jeans in your closet, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to achieving work well-being. What works for some may not work for others. It sounds obvious, Rubin says, but “that’s actually the most important thing to keep in mind. No tool works for every hand.”

*Just kidding, wear whatever you want. Although my low-rise jeans are never making a comeback.

Things to Slack your work besties

…after switching your closet over from spring to summer during a work call.

Next time I’m channeling my inner Rachael Ray, I need to remember this garlic-peeling hack so I don’t smell like I’ve been vampire hunting for the next week and a half.

Dessert + TV shows? Say less. Find out what show you should pop on after picking a few of your favorite sweets. I got The Office…and much to no one’s surprise, it was already playing in the background when I took the quiz.

Jennifer Coolidge and Jeremy Allen White had a conversation for Variety’s Actors on Actors series. The two talk about how Jeremy prepared in real restaurant kitchens for his role in The Bear and how Jennifer didn’t give up her second job (at a pool hall) until her early thirties.

That’s all for today, folks! Have yourselves the best weekend ever. See you back here on Tuesday! We’re off on Monday in honor of Juneteenth.

IDK WHAT DO I KNOW?! LMAO!

—Rod