Focus on how much you don’t want to do your job, and that becomes your experience.
Think about how it’s not fair that you don’t have a job you love, and focus on thinking you should leave and that will shape your attitude.
Get stuck on all the details around you, and they impact your sense of confidence.
Give them an inch, and your circumstances will take a mile, stripping your life of any joy, passion, or meaningful stimulus.
This is how people get lost, but there’s a remarkable opportunity here: The opportunity to not let your circumstances dictate your experience.
Regardless of whether you’re sick of your job, are bored sitting at the same desk every day, or are tired of the same faces, you get to choose how you feel. You get to choose how you perceive your circumstances. Forbes Leadership
Here is the reality: many people do not like their jobs and can’t do anything about changing their circumstances.
When unable to change the situation, the challenge is to change yourself.
Here are some practical steps you can take towards being in charge of your life, even if you feel stuck in your job and are wondering if you should leave.
Dani Arbuckle at Demand Media offers several suggestions for maintaining a good attitude when you find yourself in a less-than-optimal work situation, aka – a job you hate
Focus on the positive aspects of your job. Remind yourself why you are doing the job. Even if you are working just for the pay, the income allows you to enjoy other aspects of life.
Talk to someone about how you're feeling. Use a friend or family member to vent about your situation. Use the time to discuss the situation objectively and to help find solutions.
If possible, discuss problems with your supervisor. If there are changes that could be made to improve your job, bring them up with your supervisor and explain how they would improve the work environment. Even if your supervisor can't help, taking control can help improve your attitude.
Do something. Take steps toward improving your professional situation, such as searching for a new job, returning to school, volunteering in an industry-related setting, or mentoring someone. Taking action produces hope for a better situation and improves your attitude toward the job you hate.
Give yourself something to look forward to when you are done with the day's work. Take up a hobby, join a social organization, or schedule a regular workout routine. The workday will go by faster if you have an enjoyable activity lined up at quitting time.
Many times there can be a sense of guilt when staying at a job you don’t like.
After all, isn't it evidence of a lack of courage, fortitude, or passion if we stay in a position we don’t completely “love”? At least, that seems to be the message we hear.
As discouraging as it might seem, plenty of people survive in jobs they strongly dislike. And, believe it or not, there are actually a few logical reasons for sticking it out and hanging on.
Here are five good motives to do just that—even just for a little while longer.
Money. Let’s be honest—feeling fulfilled and emotionally enriched by your position doesn’t pay the bills. However taboo, money is an important factor when you’re thinking about leaving your job. So, if your current position is giving you a hefty paycheck for your misery, it might be worth hanging onto.
No, you don’t need to tough it out for your entire career. But building up a decent savings account will give you a sense of security when you move on to something better—especially if that next position involves a pay cut.
A Promising Future. Oftentimes, you can love the company you work for. The culture is great, your co-workers are phenomenal, and you have a somewhat flexible schedule. It’s simply just your day-to-day job duties that are causing your unhappiness. If you hate your job, it’s still important to think about your potential within your current company.
Prestige and Connections. You might hate your position, but that doesn’t mean it’s completely worthless on your resume. And this is especially true when it comes to the reputation of your employer:
Is your organization well-known and highly respected within your industry?
Will sticking around for at least a year provide a nice resume boost and open other career doors for you?
Are you meeting powerful and well-connected people who might come in handy down the road?
An Expanded Skill Set. When you feel trapped in a job that feels like it’s sucking the life out of you, it can undoubtedly be tough to stay positive. But, regardless of how much you hate your job, you need to realize that you’re still getting something out of it. Every job (no matter how miserable) presents an opportunity to try and learn new things.
So, if your current position allows you to become skilled in an area where you could improve, it might be worth sticking around to refine those skills.
Uncertainty. Typically, I don’t ever recommend jumping ship until you know exactly what you’re moving on to. And you’ll have a hard time determining your next step if you don’t have a clear idea of what you really want to do.
Use your current situation to help clarify what you don't want in your next job.
Remember, you get to choose how you perceive your circumstances.
If you need to jump, then jump. But be informed and take time to make the decision.
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