W-O-R-K
Though it may not always be the case, for some there is a reason why they say, “work is a four letter word.” Many people walk into their workplaces each morning dreading the day that lies ahead.
There are many factors that may cause this: poor boss or coworkers, underutilization, burnout, underpaid, etc. And, if you have no other alternative in the works, it gets harder and harder to put on a positive face everyday.
But, as we all know, our jobs are a large part of our lives and they provide us a means to live. Finding a solid work-life balance, even in jobs you may detest, is crucial in the long run.
Five ways to cope
Kat Boogaard of The Muse came up with a list of five ways to combat this hate. These include: assess your situation, have the tough conversations, switch your perspective, vent about it, and do your best work.
This list is a great jumping-off point. Like any other problem in life, if you start to feel disdain toward your job, it is important to get to the root of the problem in order to begin the alleviation process.
Once this is determined, it may be necessary to speak to your employer about options to improve the situation. This may be in the form of a promotion, raise, or less/more work. Without confronting the situation with the person in power of changing it, you’re left with complacency. (And, word to the wise, complacency is generally not a fixer.)
Get it off your chest
Let’s skip ahead to venting. This, again like any other life issue, can be a solution in and of itself. Perhaps there isn’t a true problem you have with your job, but you just need to get frustrations off of your chest.
However, there could be a deeper problem you’re not seeing that venting will shine a light on. This will then re-route you to taking the steps to fix it: establish a cause and seek options from an employer.
Happiness comes from within
I skipped over ‘switch your perspective’ because I feel that can be coupled with ‘do your best work’. These two have to come from within.
It is unlikely that situations such as these can be mended without an attitude change. If you go into work day after day with a downtrodden attitude, you will never see a silver lining.
“You can do it!”
These two steps can be the most difficult to implement because, again, they are internal. Something as simple as hanging a motivational quote in your cubicle or office can help to brighten your mood.
Once you feel better with your perspective, you need to focus on the task at hand: your job. By ensuring that you’re giving 110%, you will feel better about yourself and your performance. It is likely that, in turn, you may look at your job more positively.
Good ‘tude = good mood
While workplace situations are circumstantial and what works for some may not work for others, it is important to remember what an impact a positive attitude has on your wellbeing. Our jobs may not be a definition of who we are, but they are an important aspect of our lives.
Hate toward your job can bleed into other portions of your life. Therefore being proactive in creating the best workplace situation will help you in the long run.
#StopHatingYourJob
