Hate Your Job But Can’t Quit?

By Mel Sim

Read this then to know what your next step is.

You dread going to work. You don’t feel like you fit in with the work culture. You think your boss is out to get you and your colleagues aren’t exactly the warmest people around.

Sounds like all the right reasons to quit? Unfortunately, not everyone can quit a job simply because they don’t like it.

Whether it is because of money (either the money is too good or you really need the monthly pay cheque) or hiring is slow in your industry, there’s really nothing much you can do but to chin up and bear with it until you have what you need to officially quit your job.

So how do you make it through day after day working in a place where you don’t want to be? Plus feeling stuck and out of options can have serious repercussions on both your mental and physical health, from higher levels of stress, feelings of fatigue all the time, losing sleep, being more impatient, a compromised immunity … everything that can make work even worse!

Sounds like your current situation? Thankfully, you can make your situation a little more tolerable until you find a way out. Here’s how.

#1 This will all come to an end
Repeat this to yourself whenever you’re feeling down about it. Because there really is a light at the end of the tunnel and you need to do whatever it takes to get to the tunnel soon.

Until then, think of your current job as a means to an end. But don’t start slacking or going into work black face and all every day. Being fired for having a bad attitude isn’t your other option. Instead, start planning your eventual exit by updating your resume, signing up for notifications on job sites and looking out for new opportunities. Focusing on your exit strategy can help make your current situation seem less bleak as you have something new to look forward to.

#2 Make the most of your current situation
Your company has some training programmes you can sign up for? Do it – even if you don’t plan on staying long at the company. Networking events you can attend to represent your department. Where do you sign up? Whilst you may hate your job right now you should also try your best to gain as much from it to benefit yourself for future job opportunities.

Whether it is meeting new clients (a good way to build your rapport and network!) or signing up for a new project (to gain new knowledge and experience), you shouldn’t turn a blind eye to current opportunities. It may give you the skills you need for your next role or who knows, you may end up liking your new tasks that work may not suck as bad.

#3 Don’t harp on the negatives
It’s easy to fall into the trap of vent about how much you hate your job to friends, family and on social media (make sure your boss isn’t on your friends list though!). But you know how when you give too much attention to one thing and that’s all you can think about? Ditto in this situation.

If you wake up every morning absolutely hating the fact that you have to go to work, you will definitely be miserable the whole day and week. It will actually make your current situation worse than it really is and heighten that stress level because all you can think about is how much you hate your job!

Instead, think of the positives – like treating yourself to a nice lunch, especially when you’ve had a bad day. Or maybe you get to leave at 6pm every day and you can tune in to that podcast or audiobook on your commute home. Focus on those instead so that your Mondays to Fridays can be more bearable until you find a job you actually like.

#4 Talk to your boss
That’s right – there’s really no harm in talking to your boss about how you feel about work (that is if the boss is not the problem in the first place!). Maybe you are feeling disenchanted about your current situation, or you don’t feel challenged enough or feel like you’re doing way too much for your pay grade. Instead of being angry and disappointed inside, why not share your grief with your boss and talk about how things can be improved instead? Most bosses will do their best to give you the opportunities you need to grow in your role. If not, then perhaps it is really time to quit.

#5 Continue being awesome
You don’t want to be that colleague who is always angry and sarky and so obviously hate her job. Whatever your situation, it is still important you keep being professional and friendly. Being mean to your colleagues and adopting a couldn’t be bothered attitude will make your situation worse.

So even if you had to drag yourself out of bed this morning, do what you can to at least be cordial at work. At the very least, make sure you continue meeting your KPIs and do your minimum best. You are after all still being paid for being at a place you don’t want to be – and that’s a positive already.

Photo by Christian Erfurt on Unsplash

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