I have been in a little bit of a reading slump recently, so I decided to revisit the classic short story by Herman Melville, Bartleby, the Scrivener, mainly because I just wanted to read something I knew I could finish in a day (it is less than fifty pages). 

It’s always interesting to read something again with a new perspective. The last time I read this story, I was in the midst of working a toxic agency job with an immature boss that loved to play the victim and tried to cover up her faults with a $20 gift card to a random restaurant every time something went wrong in the company, and was unfortunately still naive enough to believe that putting your head down and working hard was what got you the promotion.

Like Bartleby, I started off at my old job doing my best to go above and beyond. I worked extra hours and handled responsibilities above my pay grade whenever I was given the opportunity to “prove” that I could handle the next step up. For a while, it filled a certain void and gave me a sense of purpose. Who doesn’t love getting compliments on their work and being told that they are doing a great job?

After a couple hard lessons involving office politics and immature behavior from the higher ups, I started to embody Bartleby’s state of mind.

“I would prefer not to.” 

I became so much more comfortable at work once I started pulling back and not going “above and beyond” a.k.a. doing things above my pay grade because our agency wasn’t properly staffed. Thankfully, I got a new job and was able to leave my toxic agency without looking back before they were able to retaliate in any way (and yes, that’s something they had a history of doing even though it is illegal). 

But this expectation to always “reach for the stars” at work isn’t just a toxic agency thing. The tough job market is pressuring people into going above and beyond online for better employment opportunities. I understand the benefits of consistently posting on LinkedIn and learning how to brand yourself to potential employers, but to quote the apathetic scrivener, “I would prefer not to.”

If you’re aiming to create your own business or move up to a high up position in the corporate ladder, it makes sense for you to constantly showcase your expertise and create content around your work, but I don’t think the average person should feel compelled to do the same. We shouldn’t have to commodify ourselves for a job opportunity, even if employers only see us as such. It’s incredibly soul sucking to make your side hustle also about your job, just so you can make more money or to move up a little bit quicker than others.

Everyone wishes they could have more money. Even rich people (tax breaks say hi). I wish I had enough money to comfortably buy that $300+ bottle fragrance that’s been on my wishlist for months, but you’ll never find me singing for my supper when I’m not on the clock. I simply do not care enough about my work or my job enough to do more than what is required of my job. 

Want to convince me to take on extra work by dangling a promotion in front of me? To cover for someone while they’re taking a two week vacation in Europe? To work during the holidays because the company isn’t staffed properly?

This is all you’re getting from me:

“I would prefer not to.”