Help, I hate my job!!
We've all been in a job we hate, the pushy boss, gossiping colleagues, tedious work and unhappy customers have all made us wish we could be somewhere else each day. Sometimes, we feel so anxious about going in the next day it ruins our free time as well. Don't let yourself feel this way any longer. Make the best out of a bad situation by reading the following ten tips to help you stay positive in your job.
Set yourself a date to quit
Give yourself a realistic time to find an alternative source of income and set yourself a date when you will quit your job. Knowing that you won't be in a work place you dislike forever will make it easier during the time you have left. Once you've set yourself a quit date do everything you can to find alternative work. Join recruitment agencies, apply for jobs, network with existing contacts, or start a night class to get more qualifications. Do whatever it takes to move yourself somewhere you'll feel happier. If you want to change your career but are worried about how you will afford it financially check out my lens How to change your career when you have no money.
Take on a positive outlook
Sometimes we can make ourselves feel worse in a job we dislike as we dwell on how much we hate the work, our boss, our colleagues etc. Make the decision that for the remainder of the time you are in the job you will make the effort to be 100 per cent positive. Smile as you walk into the office and say hello to everybody. Make a list of all the positive things your job brings you (even if it's just the money!) If you have to do mundane tasks can you listen to uplifting music as you work? Put 100 per cent effort into all of your tasks and take pride in your work. Look at any problems as challenges which you will learn from. Don't waste any energy moaning or partaking in any negative gossiping. It may sound corny but being positive will make you feel better and you will have more energy and enthusiasm for finding alternative work.
Change your work environment
Surround yourself with items in your work place which will help you feel better. Put up a picture of a loved one, friends or your pet. Put up a picture of what is making you go to work, perhaps you are saving for a new car, holiday or are working for your kids. Have a calendar and mark of the days until your next holiday. The screensaver on your computer could be a picture that inspires you or makes you happy. Or it could be that a plant helps you feel more relaxed. If you can't put pictures up on display in your workplace perhaps you can carry a picture of what's inspiring you to work on your person. Then when you get an attack of the blues you can look at what is motivating you to be there. If you are allowed, personalise your workspace as much as possible. It can only help you feel better as you walk in on a Monday morning to an environment that feels as inspirational, comfortable and as personal to you as possible.
Recommended reading
THE LITTLE BOOK OF CALM AT WORK
This book is a small pocket size book which you can carry with you at work. It is full of little quotations that will lift your spirits and keep you going during a hard day.
Amazon Price: (as of 10/15/2008)
Take advantage of the company's resources
Every job has it perks and advantages. Think about how your company's resources can help you gain new skills, experience and knowledge to help you progress in the future. Perhaps you can use the Internet at lunchtime to look for new jobs. Can you network with contacts for another job before you leave? Go on workplace training to update your skills for a new job. If you're thinking of starting a business in the future can you get together information about your company's suppliers and customers that you can exploit at at later date? Doing this and other things will help you feel like you're moving forward even though you're still in the same job.
Look into transferring departments/locations
Transferring departments or locations can overcome problems with a nasty boss or unhelpful co-workers. Or it may give you the new challenge and experiences you are looking for. It may also help you build up a wider skill base to aid you in a new job search in the future. Sometimes moving out of the status quo also gives us the kick that we need to keep making changes to our lives to make it better. Moving departments or locations may be the first step in a long line of changes that sees you taking responsibility for you life, your career and your happiness.
Give yourself small rewards
Reward yourself throughout the day for doing your job. Do a task you dislike first and reward yourself by doing a task you love. Give yourself a square of chocolate after each hours work. Take a 5 minutes break or walk around the office. You could even put together a plan of the rewards you will earn throughout the day so you have various treats to look forward to. This may help you look at your day at work differently. Finally, give yourself a reward at the end of the day by reading a magazine, watching your favourite TV show, eating your favourite meal or having a soak in the bath. Make friends at work
The happiest people at work are often the ones whose colleagues are their friends. Find the people in your workplace you like and make a real effort with them. Take a genuine interest in people and they will do the same for you. Ask them about their evening and weekend, their families and work. Offer your help to them. Having a couple of friends to catch up with and laugh with everyday can even help you look forward to going into work. Support and friends at work can really lift your spirits and help you feel better.
Recommended reading
If you are having problems with colleagues or your boss then this book can help you drastically improve your relationships with the people you don't get on with. It is full of simple but powerful and practical advice which is guaranteed to help you make friends with people in and out of work.
How to Win Friends and Influence People
Amazon Price: $14.11 (as of 10/15/2008)
Do something for somebody else
Following on from the point before, helping other people will help you build relationships and make friends. Commit random acts of kindness. Make a coffee for somebody or offer to help them out with their work. Not only will this make you you feel good, eventually you will find people will reciprocate. Also if you're focusing on helping somebody else at work you won't be dwelling on how much you hate your job.
Laugh
Laughter really is the best medicine. Find things to laugh at and don't take things too seriously. Try and look for the funny side of things when your work isn't going as planned. If you have trouble finding things to laugh at in your job, think of something you found funny the night or day before. Laughter and happiness really are contagious, so if you're laughing other people may join in making your workplace seem a lot happier. Jokes and laughter at work can also helps build solidarity among colleagues when the chips are down.
Do something enjoyable at lunchtime
Make sure you have something to look forward to doing in your breaks. Read you favourite book, magazine or newspaper. Go out for a walk, sit in the park or go shopping. Take the time to call or e-mail a friend you haven't spoken to in a while. Even better, meet up with friends who work close by. Listen to music or a podcast on your ipod or computer. Or, be really creative, people do things like rollerblading in parks near their work. Above all, DON'T work. Remember your lunch hour is an hour off - they don't pay you for it. So make the most of your free time. Additionally research shows that people who take a lunch hour are more productive during the rest of the day. If you need more advice......
- Chief Happiness Officer
- For more tips about being happy at work, have a look at this blog which comes with on free online book called "Happy Hour is 9 to 5".
- How to get out of a job you hate
- This article gives very good advice for taking steps to quit a job you dislike.
- How to enjoy your job
- Click here for advice on the steps to take to make sure you enjoy your job to the fullest
- Top ten ways to be happy at work
- This articles give another perspective and 10 more tips on ways to be happy at work.
- I hate my job--Now What?!
- A short article which suggests some steps to take if you hate your job.
Books to help you feel happier at work
How to Be Happy at Work: A Practical Guide to Career Satisfaction
Amazon Price: $14.95 (as of 10/15/2008)
Brilliant Life: How to Live a Brilliant, Balanced Life
Amazon Price: (as of 10/15/2008)
Add a tip for staying positive at work
Do you have any tips for staying positive when you're fed up in your job? Please share your tips here :
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grassosalvato86
You've got interesting information here. I personally hated my first job! Thanks for sharing these advices! 5 stars! Posted June 11, 2008 |
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mulberry
Good tips, I know a few people who could benefit from this...I'll have to share it! Posted May 30, 2008 |
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Recession-Proof
Cool lens, I'm a little ashamed to admit I've stayed in some jobs I've hated. Thank goodness for the Internet. ~jesse Posted May 29, 2008 |
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mjrinella
Good lens! Posted May 20, 2008 |
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ElizabethJeanAllen
Great Lens! We've all been caught in a job we didn't like at one time or another. Surviving until you can move on is all we can do. Posted May 18, 2008 |
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