Written by: Cindy Saunders, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
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 that shapes 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 in their lives, but there’s a remarkable 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. You get to choose the richness of your experience of life.” Forbes Leadership
We’ve all read articles about loving what you do, or when it is a good time to leave your job ... especially now during the great resignation. It's everywhere.
Here is the reality: many people do not like their jobs and can’t do a thing 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.
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 something that can improve 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 at 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 these days.
In fact, here are five good motives to do just that—stay in a position even just for a little while longer: (inspired by Kat Boogard)
1. 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 switching jobs. So, if your current position is granting 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 allow you a sense of security when you move onto something better—especially if that next, more fulfilling position involves a pay cut.
2. A Promising Future
Oftentimes, you can love the company you work for. The culture is great, your co-workers are phenomenal, and you even 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.
3. 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?
4. 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 is allowing you to become well-practiced in an area that you could use some improvement in, it might be worth sticking around to refine those skills.
5. 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.
If you need to jump, then jump. But be informed and take time to make an informed decision.
I frequently talk with employees about this decision. I'd be glad to review your situation and provide some guidance in a no-charge-no-sales Coaching session.
>> Reach out at hello@leadersrise.net. To schedule a call.
Take control of this decision and make it the "best-next-step" that you possibly can!
Connect with Cindy on Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin and visit her website.
Cindy Saunders, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Cindy Saunders is a Leadership Coach and HR Professional with over twenty years of experience working in manufacturing, mining, finance, and staffing industries. She is the founder of Leaders Rise, a Leadership Coaching company. Her leadership and coaching style is characterized by her drive to develop informed and engaged work environments through leadership coaching. She combines Emotional Intelligence, Workplace Styles, and Leadership Principles in her Coaching and Leadership Development Programs. Cindy considers strong and authentic leadership throughout an organization as an essential key to success. Cindy is a published author, holds designations as Global Professional Human Resources (GPHR), Senior Professional Human Resources (SPHR), SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) Strategic Human Resources Business Partner (SHRBP), and is certified as an Executive Coach with the World Coach Institute (WCI).
