Why are many humans on an endless quest for greener grass? Rather than enjoying the here and now, we convince ourselves that retirement, a different job, a bigger house, or a new relationship, will be the key to our happiness. But is the grass really greener? And even if it is, will the sight of that lush green grass satisfy us, or will we continue to yearn for even greener pastures?
As the news of my upcoming retirement is getting out at work, I’m having lots of conversations with co-workers about my career. Many have asked me why I’ve stayed in the same business for 34 years, and at the same company for 23 years. In a world where people change jobs constantly, it’s a fair question.
I just finished reading Live Life in Crescendo, the final book by 7 Habits of Highly Effective People author Stephen R. Covey. (Steven’s daughter, Cynthia Covey Haller, worked on the book with him and completed it after his death.)
The book is full of inspirational stories of people who have made amazing lemonade when life handed them the sourest of lemons. One of the quotes I wrote down as I read the book is:
The grass is rarely greener; maybe you just need to water your side instead.
Live Life in Crescendo, Steven R. Covey and Cynthia Covey Haller
This quote is powerful. It’s a reminder not to neglect the lawn we already have in our quest for greener grass. It’s also a reminder that, no matter what situation we find ourselves in, we can make things better with a little care and attention.
So why did I stay in the same business for 34 years? I thought about leaving many times over the years. But when I did, I’d ask myself if the grass really would be greener on the other side. And then I’d weigh up the reasons to stay. And when I decided to stay, I looked for ways to make the grass greener on my side of the fence.
Ways to Keep Your Grass Watered
Here are some of the ways I kept my side of the grass watered over the years.
- Building up my knowledge and expertise, so I could be the “go to” person to help my colleagues learn and grow.
- Approaching every assignment as a learning opportunity. Even after 34 years in the same business, there are still many things to learn.
- Taking the time to get to know my co-workers as people and learn about their lives outside of work. As I look back on my career, people made all the difference. We’ve supported each other through births, adoptions, marriages, divorces, deaths and illnesses.
- Volunteering for workplace committees, task forces and professional organizations. These things go a long way toward making the workplace better.
- Recognizing that work is only one aspect of life and that it’s okay to take time to look after me and my family.
I’m not suggesting we reject every opportunity and stay in the same place forever. However, I think it’s important to understand our values and motivations so the moves we make, or don’t make, are done for the right reasons.
As I prepare to move on to my next chapter, I look forward to enjoying grass that will be a different shade of green—and finding new ways to keep it watered.
I’ll close with the wise words of the late Erma Bombeck, from The Grass is Always Greener Over the Septic Tank.
In a world full of septic tanks, be the green oasis that brings joy to weary wanderers.
Erma Bombeck
How do you keep your grass watered? Drop me a comment below with your ideas.
Learn more about me in my bio and on my personal blog at BoomerEcoCrusader.com. You can also find me on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest.
Congratulations on your upcoming retirement! I appreciate the idea of the grass possibly not being greener, and the tips for watering your own 🌾
Thanks for the good wishes, Todd. Here’s to green grass for all!
It’s hard to stay content in one workplace for me, I’m a rolling stone. I admire people who can find inspiration to come back and keep watering the grass where they are. I need to learn to do the same: stay content and keep watering the grass.
From the day I was born my folks never stayed long enough in one place to put down roots. My mom and dad finally bought the house in their late thirties- early forties im Donetsk. What a turning point it was, my mom is still there and stepdad died of covid three years ago.
Do I want to commit to one job and buy a house nearby? Yes and no, my experience is not very positive or diverse to know how to do it right.
One thing I know I want to be normal, I want to belong and I want to stay in one place long enough to call it home.
Thank you, Milena. You’re not alone. I think many people get restless if they stay in one place for too long. I have been fortunate to have had the opportunity to do many different jobs and work on a variety of projects without needing to leave for greener pastures. One of the advantages of working for a large corporation, I suppose.
I hope you find someplace to call home!
I love your point about taking the time to examine values and motivations. So many shades of green to leap into…or not. Good to take stock and be deliberate, I say. With you, Michelle! And congrats once again! 🥰
Thanks, Vicki! You’re right. As other readers pointed out, no workplace is perfect so you have to look at the overall picture and weigh up the pros and cons.
🥰😉🥰
Congratulations on your upcoming retirement! At first as I was reading the quote “The grass is greenest where you water it” went through my mind, so I was happy to see a variation of the quote! Yes, outlook is very important in life, assuming we’re in a healthy, non-toxic environment. I have worked for both kinds of companies, and I have to say that living within a toxic environment and striving to stay san and healthy – emotionally and physically, is exponentially harder. Indeed, it is wiser to look at one’s environment and make that decision. Best to you in your future!
Thank you Tamara. You’re right about the toxic work environment. The same can be said for toxic teams and leaders in otherwise-healthy workplaces.
All the best on your retirement! I retired twelve years ago, and I can confirm what older people told me. They said that they had never been busier than since they retired! 🌺
Thank you Cheryl. That seems to be the consensus among many of my already-retired friends.
Change can be good occasionally, at least for me it has been beneficial… although it can often be scary too. Sometimes, taking a leap into something new can be refreshing. It may lead to something truly rewarding and enriching in life, but I haven’t changed jobs too often myself, mostly out of necessity. However, every workplace ultimately has its own ups and downs. Few workplaces are perfect (if any), so it’s pointless to expect that. Good post!”
You’re right when you say no workplace is perfect. I think you have to take the bad with the good. As my father used to say “The devil you know is better than the devil you don’t know.”
Such a great point about being happy where we are. I love your constant ability to learn and your note that people made all the difference. Wonderful!
Thanks Wynne. I will miss the people I work with the most when I retire. The group I work with now is wonderful. Makes it hard to leave but it’s time!
I think that it’s part of the human nature being constantly unhappy of what we have. Thanks to this post of yours I took an important decision right now. This is a very useful post Michelle!
Thank you Cristiana. I’m so glad you found the post helpful!