What to do When You Hate Your Job

Working in a job that you hate can be more than an annoyance, it can actually be a hazard. Stress is linked to reproductive health issues, immune and sleeping disorders, digestive issues, extreme weight fluctuations, and more. So yes, that job that you hate could in fact be bad for your health. If you find yourself in a job that you hate, do something about it – even if leaving isn’t a viable option for the foreseeable future. Here are some things that you can do if you hate your job.

Tips to Keep You Sane!

As much as we’ve all dreamed of quitting a job and leaving in dramatic fashion, there are pragmatic reasons that keep most of us from taking such drastic measures. Namely, bills and providing for our families! So leaving your current job may not be in the cards, even if you do hate it. If this is the situation that you find yourself in, try these strategies instead:

Request New Responsibilities

Working on a new project or tackling something challenging can reinvigorate your drive and motivation at work. Many of us simply get bored with our jobs because they become monotonous and repetitive. This boredom can lead to resentment, and over time can cause you to loathe your job. This isn’t good for your health or your wallet. Consider requesting new responsibilities to liven up your day job. It may even lead to a promotion or new role.

Start a Side Hustle

If your day job isn’t enough of a challenge, it might be time to start pursuing work that interests you on the side. Freelancing and entrepreneurship allow you to tackle the work that you want to pursue – on your own time, at your own schedule. Better yet, it allows you to earn extra income, which could alleviate some of the stress you may be experiencing with your current position. If you don’t know where to get started, consider companies like Amway or Fiverr. Both are great gateways into the world of business ownership and self-employment.

Maintain a Positive Attitude

There are many things in life that you can’t control, but your attitude isn’t one of them. If you find yourself starting to resent your job or dread going into the office every day, think of ways to stay positive about your situation. Avoid negative thinking, embrace the things in life that are going well, don’t dwell on the downers, and ask yourself if you might be overreacting to the situation. You may be able to change your perceptions simply through positive thinking.

Create Bonds with Your Coworkers

Even if you don’t like the actual work part of your job, there’s a good chance that you work with people whom you do like. Create stronger bonds with your co-workers and you’ll find that you enjoy work more, dwell on the negatives less, and feel better at the end of the day. Friendships can be incredibly powerful. In fact, you may not be surprised to learn that friendships yield numerous health benefits, both mental and physical. Focus on friendships at work, and the work itself will fade into the background.

For Those of You Who are Leaving…

Let’s say that you are leaving your current job. Congratulations on taking such decisive action, but don’t celebrate too early! Or be hasty in your planning. To ensure that all goes well, heed this advice:

Map Out a Transition Plan

You definitely don’t want to approach your transition half-heartedly. Moving from one company to another is a big deal, so treat it with the respect and care it deserves. Save up money in advance in case you find yourself without a paycheck for a month of two, and allow yourself time to transition your current responsibilities to your replacement. As much as you might be tempted to leave in a blaze of glory, in this day and age, with LinkedIn and Google making it easier than ever to research job candidates, it can be incredibly hard to escape a bad reputation.

Note Your Biggest Work Accomplishments

When writing your resume, it’s best to include some concrete accomplishments. Yes, you should highlight your skills as well, but the odds are good that you will be going up against other candidates with similar skill sets. Ultimately, it is your accomplishments that will help you stand apart from the crowd – not your skills. Hone in on what you’ve been able to achieve in your current position, and illustrate how you can leverage this in your new work capacity.

Keep your Lips Sealed!

Whatever you do, keep your job search a secret! The last thing that you want is for it to get out, because you might find yourself out of a job far sooner than you had anticipated – and with no replacement yet lined up! Be discreet, be respectful, and be cautious. Remember, you may hate your current job, but it’s still a job, with salary and benefits (even if you work part-time, some pay is better than no pay when it comes to job hunting). Don’t give that up until you’re certain you’ve got something better lined up.