Hate Your Job? 7 Ways to Make Your Workplace Work for You

 

A recent national survey indicated that over 70% of Americans do not like their jobs and inside this figure are a large percentage of people that actually hate their jobs. Now there is good news for all of you who suffer from “ job fatigue.” Here are seven quick and easy ways that you can turn this around hating your job to liking your job in a matter of days.

  1. Create a new attitude. With a pen and a piece of paper you can change your attitude in a matter of minutes. Right down a sentence that describes how you feel about your job. For example, “I hate this job because…” “You might have said, “ I hate my job because it is boring.” Now draw a line from what you wrote to the other side of the paper and write a statement that is absolutely true, however it feels better than what you just said. For example, “My job may not be very interesting however it provides me with money to do and buy things that I like.” Once you have written this statement you will immediately notice that you feel better. The game continues when you write more and more statements that really are negative and then draw the line and write something that again is absolutely true and just feels better. Reread these statements daily and watch the job you hate suddenly become something you enjoy. Expand your positive statements over time.
  2. Create the perfect company to work for right where you are. Find a piece of paper that you can post within your line of sight at work or put in your car or someplace at home that you will see every day. Write on here everything that is good about the company you work for and the work that you do. Add to the list every week. If you are having trouble, because you really, really, hate your job, start the list with silly fun stuff. “ My office building is nice,” “ There are nice people in the same situation,” “ I do get things accomplished,” “My office chair is comfortable,” “Some people appreciate my work,” “ Our company provides a good product/service,” “ Things are getting better around here every day,” “ I see people trying to make things better,” and so on. There are good things even in what seems like the worst situation.
  3. Play More . Make sure your work is counterbalanced with lots of things that you really enjoy. Don't leave work and go home and sit in front of the television. Find things that you truly love to do that are playful and fun. If you have kids or dogs or a partner in your life, find things you can all do together that make you laugh and bring joy to your life. Often we think we hate our jobs because we hate our lives and the reason for that is that we are playing less and less. Good, active play whether it be cards or crafts or sports brings a whole new perspective to our world of work. Find simple ways to integrate a few minutes of play into your work day. Take a break and walk, sing a song or read something that will make you laugh.
  4. Let the people around you shine on you. Take a notebook and write at the top of each page the name of each person you work around and with on a regular basis. Now each page with a name on it write something good about that person. Talk about simple things like they have a nice smile, they dress well, they always say hello, they return your phone calls or email, they are always willing to give a hand when you ask, and so on. Focus on finding all the good traits, and just ignore the bad for a while and you will find yourself in a better place surrounded by great people
  5. Look at the education you are getting and put it to work . Every work experience, even the worst we have all had, is giving us information and an education. Sometimes, it is about what we don't want, but still information. Use your current position to see what you are learning about work and life. What new skills are you acquiring? What have you learned that you can use to make things better around you? How can you help change the current situation? What positive feedback have you offered to make things better? Where can you help? If no one has asked for your feedback and help, how can you get them to listen by being positive about changes that need to be made? Even writing about the changes that could be made will make you feel better. When the day comes someone does ask, you'll be ready to respond.
  6. Stop whining and avoid whiners . It is a fact that what you say and what you think make what will happen. One of the best things you can do to make your workplace work for you is stop talking about how bad it is. Stay away from those who talk this way. If you have to take a walk during lunch to avoid this conversation, do that! Do crossword puzzles on your break to keep from getting caught up in the negativity. Half the time we hate our jobs because others have made us believe things are bad, or it is bad for them and not for us. DO NOT go home and whine to your friends, spouse or the kids. This only makes a bad thing worse and does nothing to change the situation.
  7. Find the connection . Find out how what you do really makes a difference. If you work in a service job, find the connection between what you do and the gift of that to the people you serve. If you answer the phone, build things, sell something, provide a service, get into the swing of how valuable that is to the people who receive the benefit of what you do. When you feel connected to the outcome of your work you are less apt to see your job as drudgery and enjoy it more

Life is too short to hate our work. Not all work is perfect, easy or fun. Making your work work for you is really not that hard with these simple tips in place and your willingness to see what is good in the bad.