5 Ways to Find Happiness in a Job You Hate
Let me start by saying this. Anyone can find a job they love. Whatever your journey is, there’s a fulfilling job out there for you that will let you express your brilliance.
But there are times when we have to make do with less than ideal circumstances. If you’ve got student loans to settle or a family member to support, you may have to settle for some job you can’t stand. You already have a plan for the future, but you can’t leave the job you hate yet.
Below are a few tips that will help you make the best of your job situation.
5 Ways to Find Happiness in a Job You Hate
1. Don’t Bring Your Work Home with You
When you’re away from the office, avoid talking about it too much. While it can help to talk with a close friend about your predicament, you should avoid complaining about work too often. Negative commentary can become a habit, and it will drain you of your motivation and make it even more difficult to show up at work every morning.
If you can, avoid checking your work email while you’re at home. Instead of staying on-call 24/7, disconnect when you leave the office and start looking for ways to move ahead with your plans. I advise my clients to set a shut down time before they start their work day. You will always have something on your to-do list so knowing your stop time will help you prioritize your most important tasks and disconnect at the end of the day.
2. Challenge Yourself to Learn New Things
Monotony is a motivation-killer. But you may be able to find projects that will broaden your horizons. Learning new skills could help you get to a better position at your job. It could also become a crucial element to your job hunt in the future.
3. Take Breaks
To get through the workday, take regular breaks. It can be a good idea to get away from the office during lunch. Texting your loved ones can also help if you’re having an especially difficult day. If you work at a desk, make sure you stand-up every 30 to 60 minutes. Your body and mind will thank you for the switch-up.
4. Maintain Perspective
It’s far too easy to get distracted by the details, especially when they’re making you unhappy.
For example, say you have a conflict with your coworkers. Instead of focusing on the grievances, try to consider the situation from their point of view. Is there anything you can do to repair your working relationship?
At the same time, you might also be tempted to generalize too much about your workplace. Even if it seems like all your coworkers are unpleasant, there ARE people at the office who are worth talking to. You might not be able to solve the conflict with your coworker who is causing problems, but you can still build connections with the other people you work with.
5. Improve Everything That’s Under Control
Having a clean and appealing office space is always a great motivator. When you’re unhappy with your job, these details become even more important. You should also keep your mood up by eating well and showing up well-rested. The Mayo clinic reports, “A lack of sleep will affect your immune system and lead to sickness.” It also impacts your mood and productivity, so next time you hit play on another episode of Game of Thrones, think of the consequences on tomorrow… you’ll find it easier to grab new opportunities if you can maintain a positive attitude.
A Final Word
I’m not sure if you can find perfect happiness in a job you hate. But I do know it’s possible to stay motivated in spite of the problems. When your circumstances change or the right moment presents itself, hopefully sooner than later, you can turn things around. It’s never too late to find a better job or make a career change. Schedule a discovery session with me today and I can help you find your way to your happiness.