Hate your job?
Well, you’re certainly not alone. We’ve all been there. If not now, then at some point in time. At this point in my life, I consider myself to be one of the lucky ones. I love my job, and I can’t picture myself doing anything else. Last year around this time, I had a stunning realization that I no longer had just a “job” – I was building a career doing something I love. And boy was that a great feeling!
In my case, though, it wasn’t always all rainbows and unicorn farts. I’ve worked jobs that I’ve hated. I spent over five years as a bartender in a rundown joint. (That’s a nice way to put it.) I learned several very important lessons during those five fateful years, though. Some of them, I’ve found, come in very handy if you hate your job.
Take Pride in Your Work
No matter how much you hate your job, don’t be a slacker and don’t do the minimum just to squeak by. As tempting as this may be, it could actually make you hate your job more or even cause you to lose it. Instead, do your best at any tasks assigned to you, and still try to go above and beyond each and every day. You might just get recognized for your extra effort and get a promotion to a job you don’t hate. Even if the Boss Man doesn’t recognize you for your hard work, though, taking pride in your work can give you a self-confidence boost, which can boost your morale in general.
Don’t Bad Mouth
This is a huge no-no! I don’t care how much you hate your job, your boss, or your co-workers, never bad mouth your job or anyone associated with it. The risk that your bad mouthing will get back to your target is just too great. Also, avoid bad mouthing your job on your personal social media pages. Many employers these days do monitor employee social media accounts and pages. With that being said, I do understand that some people just need to rant and rave to get things off their chests. If you must do this, make sure your rants only come out in trusted company, like your spouse or trusted friend.
Find Your Sense of Humor
I’ve had more than my fair share of bad luck and rough patches in my life, and it was always my quirky – and somewhat twisted – sense of humor that gets me by no worse for the wear. If you hate your job, never lose your sense of humor. The ability to find the humor in just about any situation is an excellent way to cope with the negative aspects with your life, including a job you hate.
Focus on the Positive
It’s tempting to constantly dwell on and complain about all of the negative aspects of a job you hate. Unfortunately, negativity can quickly become an ugly monster that consumes every other aspect of your life. Instead of focusing on everything you hate about your job, focus on the positive aspects, no matter how small they may be. For instance, maybe you have excellent benefits, or you look forward to interacting with certain customers each day. Make a list if you have to, and post it where you can read it every day. You might also want to take time every night to write down all of the positive things that happened to you while at work that day.
Take Care of Yourself
I know how easy it can be to fall into unhealthy habits when you hate your job. It may be small, like constantly worrying, or it could be a nastier habit, like excessive binge drinking. No matter how much you hate your job, don’t let it consume you. Take good care of yourself and be aware of picking up any potentially unhealthy habits. Even constant worry can be unhealthy. Do stress reduction techniques, eat well, get enough sleep, and avoid excessive drinking. If things are really bad, understand that there’s no shame in seeking the help of a professional therapist or counselor.
Do Something About It
Even after you employ all known coping strategies when you hate your job, you basically have three options. You can continue to hate it and complain about it, you can make the best of a bad situation, or you can do something about it. If you truly hate your job and it’s making you utterly miserable, maybe it’s time to do something about it. If you’re in a position that possibly qualifies you for a promotion or raise, ask for it. If you just need to get away from that particular job and company, then start working toward that goal. Get your resume together, and start your job hunt. A word of warning, though – no matter how much you hate your job and no matter how satisfying you think it might feel to tell everyone off and leave, don’t quit just yet. Make sure you have a job already lined up before you quit, since there’s no way of knowing when you’ll find work again. Also, when communicating with prospective employers, never bad mouth your current employer and make it clear that you’d like to give at least two weeks notice before you quit.
