What to do when you really hate your job

by Teresa Godwin

Jobs, organizations, and people change over time and if you dread Monday morning then read on.

If you are unhappy with your job you have three basic options:

1. Put up with it.

At first glance, this is probably the least attractive option. But sometimes it is the only one available. Life can narrow down your choices. For instance, perhaps your skill is specialized and you think you won't be able to find alternative work, especially if retirement is on the horizon.

Think about all the things that your job does for you - pays the bills, keeps the roof over your head, enables you to have a holiday, giving you some control over areas of your life. If your life at work is tolerable, then putting up with things as they are may be the best option for you AT THIS MOMENT. Focusing on the positive aspects of your work can help you cope.

2. Make some changes.

Change can be scary; sometimes we would rather just moan than do anything about what is actually causing our unhappiness. You need to know what the problem is before you can set about solving it. Think clearly about what you really dislike. Is it your boss? The work you do? Your colleagues? How many of these things can you influence? What changes can you make that will make your days at work more rewarding? Sometimes just small changes can have a big effect.

Is there any scope for swapping parts of your job, even on a temporary basis, with a colleague? Could you ask your boss for some experience in a different part of the organization? Is there anyone at work who you could talk to about your problems? Perhaps there may be a possibility of reducing or changing the hours that you work. Getting back in control and influencing your work can give you the boost that you need.

3. Leave

Big decision. Never leave on the spur of the moment. Plan your career and your next move. Maybe you won't actually need to leave the organization to get a better or more rewarding job. Does your organization advertize some jobs internally? Where could your work where your skills and abilities would be appreciated? What is the demand likely to be for your talents? What do you like doing and are good at? You may be able to use your current job to finance additional training. Give yourself a clear objective. Do your research first.

So you are not as stuck as you thought. You can make changes, sometimes quite small ones that will help you maintain your sense of well being. You can make the most of what you have and make some changes to how you think about your work, make some integral changes to how you carry out your job, or plan your next move. Life is too short to be spent wishing you were somewhere else. You have choices to make - make sure they are good ones!