Society as a whole is gradually becoming more open to the concept of seeking out work that you truly enjoy and embracing those opportunities but, for many, work sucks; it may be a place of dissatisfaction rather than one of pure joy. This can be due to any number of reasons. Perhaps you are in a position solely for the money rather than for the work that you are doing on a daily basis. Maybe you are in an entry-level position that serves as a placeholder until you can get the job that you want. You may even be in a job simply because it was the only option available to you in the moment. Regardless of why you are in a job you may not be in love with, the truth is that this position is going to remain your reality until you are able to carve another path for yourself. Ultimately, it is up to you to shape your reality. Would you prefer to show up to work every day with a negative attitude or be present each day with a positive one? If you have chosen the latter option, here are 7 ways that you can deal with your work situation and change the course of your professional outlook.
1. Figure out Where the Source of Discontent Is Coming From
A lot of people can say that they are not in love with their jobs but not a lot of people can truly tell you why they are unhappy in detail. The problem with this is that you may only be unhappy with a couple of things but, since you are choosing to say that you are unhappy with your job as a whole, you could be missing out on the wonderful parts of your position that make it worthwhile. Take some time to sit down and hash out where this discontent is coming from. Are you unhappy with the amount of money you are making? Are there people in your workplace who are making your professional life miserable? Are you spending too much time getting to and from your workplace? Are you working too much and are able to properly take care of yourself and other aspects of your life? Whatever the issue may be, it is important to take note of these problems as this will help you determine where you are not satisfied in your job, and will give you something to work off of so that you don't blame your job as a whole for your dissatisfaction. ((Jo Green Coaching:
What to Do When Work Sucks))
2. Focus on the Positive Aspects of Your Job
No matter how bleak your current outlook of your job is, the truth is that there are always positive aspects to every professional role, even if you have to look a little bit harder to find them. These positives can be found in almost any part of the workday and it is up to you to frame them the right way so that you can look forward to them rather than dread them. Some positive aspects may include...
- A long lunch break and several small breaks that give you time to re-energize.
- Being close to your house so that you don't have to stress about extensive travel in the mornings or evenings.
- A larger salary that allows you to lead the lifestyle you want.
- Positive employees who pump you up and make you feel ready to tackle the workday.
- Being able to indirectly help people through the job or service that you are performing.
Although these examples may or may not apply to your own professional life, they serve as a reminder that you can always find great parts of your job if you are looking for them. Once you find the parts that make you happy, make sure to focus on those throughout your work day to improve your mood and your overall take on work.
3. Discover a Greater Purpose in Your Job
A job is never just a job. Is a job a service that is performed so as to achieve a certain purpose for other people who are willing to pay for it. This means that whatever you are doing is helping someone else with their own needs and to help them improve their own quality of life. That's not to say that every job holds the same level of quality in terms of purpose but, your work does matter and it does contribute to something. If you are having trouble finding what this something is, consider the purpose of the company that you work with. Perhaps you work for a fast food establishment and you are not able to see your immediate impact based on your role. If this is the case, for example, you could choose to take a look at some of the impact your organization is making and frame it in such a way that your work is helping them to reach those goals. Purpose allows people to feel more motivated and positive about going to work. There is always an underlying purpose to what it is you're doing. Find it and work with that purpose in mind!
4. Make the Rest of Your Life More Enjoyable
If you are relatively unhappy with your life and you are going into a job each day that you don't necessarily enjoy either, your move and your perspective on life isn't going to improve any time soon. Remaining miserable with your life conditions is no way to live. While you may not be able to change your situation, you are in control of your life and your attitude. You can make adjustments in your personal life that will help to make your work life more bearable. Think about what it is that you want out of life and what you can do to increase your current quality of life. Are there goals that you want to reach? Are there things that you want to do more of that you haven't been pursuing lately? More often than not, our professional life can shift our focus away from our personal lives and, we will lose track of fulfillment in this area. Changing the way that you live your life can greatly improve your mindset towards your current work situation.((The Art of Charm:
What to Do When Your Job Sucks))
5. Learn More About What You Would Like to Be Doing
People will often think about the fact that they would rather not be doing their jobs but, they don't often think about what they would be doing instead. If you don't like your job, it can be proactive to learn more about what your alternative career path would look like. If you weren't working this job, what would your new and improved job look like? What would your position be? What responsibilities would you have? What impact would you make? How much money would you be making? Why would you want this job over your previous one and how it would it improve your current situation? Don't just fantasize about your current situation. Figure out what you would rather be doing so that you can take your first step towards a new life when the opportunity presents itself.
6. Create a Plan That Will Help You Reach Your New Career Goals
If you do have a better career path in mind and you simply need to get out of your job and into one that you would prefer, you will need to create a plan that you can work towards regularly -- one that will be successful in landing you that new professional role. Based on the questions you asked yourself in the previous point, find out what it will take to reach the career of your dreams. Do you need any further education to get there? Are there any requirements that you have to meet beforehand? What obstacles do you need to clear along the way? Take a look at this guide and get more inspirations about how to set carer goals:
How to Set Ambitious and Achievable Career Goals (With Examples) Your plan will vary widely depending upon the difference between your dream job and your current position but, you will get there in time if you work towards these goals every day and take the necessary steps needed to make the transition seamless. Figure out what you need to do, make a plan and a timeline, and crush your goals!
7. Take Control of Your Work in the Meantime
Part of making your work suck less is learning the art of acceptance. You cannot change everything about your job overnight and, you need to accept that you will be in your current position until you are able to shift into a position that you truly enjoy. However, this does not mean that you can't make your current job more easily acceptable at the moment. Take control of the situation and take control of your work while you still have the job that you are in. Whether this means making the changes in the things you do not like (if you can) or taking control of the work that you are given, changes can be made to better suit your needs. Get organized, grab your job by the horns, and guide it towards a better tomorrow. After all, this is your reality!
The Bottom Line
While your job cannot change at a moment's notice, your outlook can and the most valuable tool you have at your disposal is yourself. Use that mighty brain to your advantage and cultivate a better mindset as you plan for the future that you want, rather than choosing to remain negative about your work life.
More About Fulfillment at Work
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