How to make your job bearable
Posted by cccastellon on February 3, 2008
A lot of people hate their jobs. Or haven’t you noticed? The frowning clerk at the store. That smirking barista or the government employee who just shrugs her shoulders and tells you that it’s the only way they do things. Blame job hate for these people’s behavior. They hate
Count your blessings. Some people don’t even have a job that they can hate. Think about it.
their bosses, their co-workers and their customers. They also hate the fact that you can afford to shop in their store, or that you’re employed by a large, multinational corporation with a lot of perks. Sometimes people take jobs only because of the money but later realize that it’s a bad fit. This person might even be you.
If you also hate your job and may be planning to get out. Look before you leap. Unless you can afford to, it’s foolhardy to suddenly quit (especially if you have a family). If possible, try to bear with your current position while formulating your exit plan. Here are some tips you can use.
- Be thankful. Count your blessings. Some people don’t even HAVE a job that they can hate. Think about it.
- Love your job (again). What is it about your job that made you sign up in the first place?
- Get involved. Involve yourself in your office activities. They may have a need for your unique talents. You can also get to see the company in a whole new perspective.
- Save up. Build a war chest of finances so you can walk away if it gets really bad.
- Polish your resume. Record your achievements as they happen. This exercise also builds your self-confidence and keeps you prepared in case you meet a potential employer.
- Network. Your current job can be your path to meeting your future employers or clients (if you’re planning to put up your business).
When the right time comes, you can rest easy knowing that you can make your move without leaving a trail of broken professional relationships and burned bridges. Everybody wins.
Kennette Reed said
Great advise. I’d also like to add the importance of getting clear on what makes you happy. What gets you excited? What do you enjoy doing for hours on end? What things do you enjoy so much, you’d do them even if you didn’t get paid? What work or activities did you previously enjoy, but rarely do now (this includes looking at what you enjoyed in your childhood)? Answering these questions requires both introspective and retrospective thinking.
It really boils down to finding work you love. Until you discover your passion, work will never make sense. Take the time to discover what works best for you, and everyday will be a great workday. Until I took the time to discover my passion, I was always losing interest in the work I did. Now, I wake up everyday with excitement and new ideas. It’s a wonderful feeling.
Kennette Reed
http://www.discoveringyourpassion.com/
http://www.stepsalongyourpath.com/
http://www.resiliencecoach.com/
cccastellon said
Kennette:
Thanks for visiting! I agree with you that work will never make any sense until you discover your passion. Uncovering this will take some time. True story: in the past I’ve put off doing the things I love (for practical reasons). Now I’m rediscovering the joys of pursuing my passion, the things I love doing. I’ve also been blessed with another chance to pursue them.
Regards,
Carlos