So, which is it going to be?
or
I have no patience for people complaining about their job any longer. Unless it’s a family member of course. If you have to complain (and it’s a valid step in getting over it), vent with a close friend or a family member with the expectation of moving through it.
I have hated my job, and I’ve had employees who hated their jobs (ouch!) So, I get it. It’s complicated when you have to make money but you hate what you do. It’s also really painful as a boss to know that some of your employees hate their job!
So, what to do?
1. Take personal responsibility. Blah Blah. We’ve all heard this a million times. You know why? Because it’s true! Before you go off and complain, know that every time you do, it’s bringing someone else down. What’s your goal? To complain or to make a change?
2. Look at what you “Love” about your job. Why did you take the job in the first place? It doesn’t matter if you’ve had the job for one month or 20 years…. there’s some reason you are where you’re at.
3. Relish in what you love to do. Really look at it closely. My daughter in law is an art teacher. She’s incredible and has changed many highschool kids who were lost. She embraced their talents and helped them do the same. She loves that! When she talks about it she lights up and glows.
However, lately it’s been really really hard and I believe she would say she “hates” certain parts of her job. The district is letting most of her friends go because of funding. There isn’t a lot of support and it’s just plain depressing.
But, she works really hard at remembering why she does what she does. She loves art and she loves helping kids blossom as they move out of highschool and into adult hood. She loves art! And guess what? I’ve seen her get excited again, and light up when she talks about her kids.
3. Know it’s a process. Take some time. This requires maturity. You have to be emotionally mature to be able to be immersed in a situation that you hate but actually grow from it. You may have to actually do some PERSONAL work. Well, actually you will have to do personal reflection to come out of the situation in a better place. We’ve all heard that if you leave something you hate without changing yourself (job, marriage, relationship), you’ll just create it again in the next. It’s true:)
Now what? If you’ve found some great reasons you took the job (you love art, you love teaching, you love accounting, you love technology), it’s time to evaluate your options.
I know a lot of people who’ve gone through this simple process and discovered that their job gradually gets better.
They stop constantly thinking about the boss or colleagues that they “hate” and guess what? They don’t bother them so much. When you concentrate on what you love, more of that will come into your life.
I also know people who knew that they had to make a change. They thought they loved to do something, but it turns out they really didn’t.
I tried and tried to love working in large corporations. The truth is I loved the people I met but man oh man, I hated the bureaucracy, back stabbing and big committee meetings. For a long time I thought I was just immature (and part of me was), but it really is true that I love working with entrepreneurs and small businesses.
4. Make the decision. So, are you going to concentrate on what you love to do and stay at your job?
Are you going to go out and find a new job?
Or perhaps you’re going to go out on your own. Did you know that the economy is mostly made up of small businesses? It’s true! If you think you can go for it, do it! You’ll never know if you don’t try. And if you don’t try, trust me, you’ll be miserable. I’ve known many people who resist and end up getting sick (very sick) or fired.
5. Make the change! If you’re going to stay to stay at your current job or get a new one, you’ll have to take responsibility for your position and your gro
wth path within your company or organization!
There are people and resources who can help you! One of my clients, Janine Moon, a Career Coach, wrote a book called “Career Ownership“. At her website you can download some tips and buy the book.
If you’re going to go out on your own, do some planning.
Of course there are thousands of things to consider including can you afford it? Will your spouse or partner support it?
I don’t intend to give a dissertation here on starting your own business, but I will say a few things.
Consider that if you might make a lot less money but you may also be a whole lot happier!
This happens time and time again. You don’t know how wonderful it is to work at home until you experience it. It takes a while to get used to the fact that you can do laundry or make dinner when you take a break!
If you have young kids, don’t commit to having them at home full time. Keep them in day care (of course only if they like it!). Give yourself time to get used to working at home before taking it all on. I know lots of people who eventually are able to handle having their kids around and working. It totally depends on you and what you do.
Know you are not alone. Not by any stretch of the imagination! Find support groups, Meetup Groups, online forumns. There are literally thousands of support options in place for entrepreneurs.
Bottom line. We all can LOVE what we do for a living. I believe this to be true! My oldest son is a carpenter. Never in a million years did my husband or I see that coming. He loves working with tools and he loves the creative outlet.
My youngest son is a ceramic artist. We didn’t see THAT coming either!
My husband loves working within large corporations and organizations.
I love working with entrepreneurs. I also love painting, maybe I’ll become a full time artist some day!
Make the choice that no matter what, you’re going to be happy in your profession. Even if it means you’re going to be happy you simply have a job!
I hate seeing people miserable. I’ve been there and I got through it. Sometimes I make a lot of money and sometimes I don’t. But I couldn’t be happier!
What do YOU love to do?
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