If you've ever had a job for any length of time at all, the likelihood is high that at some point you've expressed the sentiment, "I despise my work." This perspective seems to be widespread in today's society.
Let me contrast the feeling of disliking your work with the motivation to seek early retirement or financial independence so that you may have more influence over how you spend your time and how your life turns out. Even if some people have said that they despise their employment, the majority of people desire to take more control of their lives and build a strategy to get there sooner rather than later.
I'm referring to those of us who complain, "I detest my job," but who also believe they are unable to change our working conditions.
Why We Despise Our Current Jobs
There are a variety of factors that contribute to our feelings of dissatisfaction with our work. Here is a brief list of potential reasons: there are too many meetings, the managers are terrible, there is not enough time off for vacation, the hours are too long, I am not recognized, there is too much stress, the job is not satisfying, and it does not match my degree.
Is it okay if I tell you the truth? According to a popular proverb, we are facing first world issues. I believe that there are instances when we fail to appreciate all that we have. I won't go on my high horse and lecture you about how fortunate we are to live in this nation in comparison to other parts of the globe. Also, please understand that I am in no way recommending that someone should continue working in a profession that is giving them stress and ultimately contributing to health concerns.
Now, here is the part that really gets under my skin. I believe that we have failed to keep the proper perspective on our task. That gives me a little bit of chills. What would happen to the economy if everyone was miserable in their employment and made the decision to leave them? It would be a chaotic situation. To our great relief, not everyone gives up their work.
Shouldn't they, though? What kind of action should we take if the circumstances of our employment become intolerable? Do you think we should advise our employer to take a hike? Continue to fight?
If You Despise Your Job, Here Are 5 Things You Should Do.
1. Start looking for work elsewhere.
It gives me chills to place this one first. However, I am aware of the situation. A good many of you don't seem to have any hope of ever being content with the jobs that you are now in. Now that we have that out of the way, let's talk about how you can get another work.
First things first, prepare a résumé that will blow them away. Your CV should provide the greatest possible initial impression of you. Invest some effort in getting it organized. If you believe that would be beneficial, you should seek the advice of an expert. Ask some other people to read it over and provide feedback. This is not the place to cut corners. Most get passed over. Yours should be noticeable among the others. Make sure it does.
Ladders is the ideal choice for you if you currently have a job that earns more than $100,000 per year. There, you may also submit your CV, join organizations to expand your professional network, and do a great deal more. It's an excellent site to educate yourself about the process, even if you aren't actively hunting for a job that pays more than $100,000 per year.
Their website covers a much wider range of topics. You will see a search box where you may input keywords that describe the sorts of jobs you are interested in. The procedure of uploading your resume is a straightforward one. They provide informational profiles on a variety of businesses that you may use for research. You are able to search using a variety of criteria, like salary range, income, location, and many more.
Another fantastic website for finding work is LinkedIn. You may look for the employment you wish to have by going to the Jobs page. You will be able to make the most of your relationships, get introductions, and do much more here.
These three companies would be at the top of my list to contact first while looking for work.
Now that we've gotten that out of the way, let me recommend that this is not the first move you take. I'll explain why once I go over the next few things that need to be done.
2. Allot Some Time for Your Own Introspection
I feel like I could be venturing into some potentially hazardous ground here with this one. When things aren't going our way, we are more likely to make poor choices if we don't take the time to engage in some kind of self-reflection.
Have your eyes been opened to it? The practice of pointing fingers is still going strong. It would seem that the majority of us are unwilling to accept responsibility for the things we do. This is particularly true in regard to the blunders that we make. It is much simpler to see flaws in the actions of another person. In point of fact, it's possible that no one person is to blame for the blunder. It's possible that our mentality has everything to do with it.
The following is what Carol Dweck, who authored a fantastic book on the subject of attitude titled Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, has to say about it:
2. Allot Some Time for Your Own Introspection
I feel like I could be venturing into some potentially hazardous ground here with this one. When things aren't going our way, we are more likely to make poor choices if we don't take the time to engage in some kind of self-reflection.
Have your eyes been opened to it? The practice of pointing fingers is still going strong. It would seem that the majority of us are unwilling to accept responsibility for the things we do. This is particularly true in regard to the blunders that we make. It is much simpler to see flaws in the actions of another person. In point of fact, it's possible that no one person is to blame for the blunder. It's possible that our mentality has everything to do with it.
The following is what Carol Dweck, who authored a fantastic book on the subject of attitude titled Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, has to say about it:
"In one reality, making an attempt is a negative thing. It is a sign that you lack intelligence or skill, just as failure does. You wouldn't need to put forth any effort if that were the case. In the parallel universe, intelligence and skill are derived by one's level of effort.
Your Way of Thinking
The second interpretation is known as the development attitude. The first approach is known as a fixed attitude. If you go through life with a defined belief system, you will probably be unhappy in the work that you do. In an essay that I wrote on the topic of attitude, I explained it as follows:
People who subscribe to the fixed mentality consider their most fundamental characteristics, such as their intellect and abilities, to be unchangeable features. They waste their time recording their abilities and knowledge rather than developing them, which is a better use of their time. They are under the impression that their abilities and wits are the reasons for their achievements. It makes no difference how much effort you put in. According to Dr. Dweck, persons who have a fixed mindset have the mentality that "it's not enough merely to achieve. You are required to be perfect." The idea behind this notion is that once you have something, you will always have it. If you don't, you don't.
This attitude of striving for perfection is harmful. Do you consider yourself to be perfect in your own eyes? If that's the case, what kind of effect do you believe it has on the people who work around you? You must be willing to do a critical self-examination in order to investigate the part that you play in your discontent in your current job. People that have a growth mentality are continually on the lookout for new opportunities to learn and expand their knowledge.
Put some of these questions to yourself and see what you come up with.
Look closely at the aspects of your employment that bother you the most if you include yourself among those who declare, "I detest my job." Is this a department inside the company? Do you despise your superior? Is it a monotonous task? What is it that you would want to do differently with the firm if you had the chance?
3. Communicate with Your Supervisor
After giving it some thought, if you believe that you've exhausted all of your options, it's time to have a conversation with your manager. However, before you begin, you need prepare yourself mentally so that you can succeed. It won't go well for you if you go into it with an attitude, or if you go into it with an accusatory tone. Do not engage in the discussion until such time as you have calmed down if you are now upset and unable to rid yourself of that anger. The failure to communicate effectively is often at the heart of many of the issues that arise in the workplace.
I'm not denying that your manager is a jerk in any way. It's possible that this person is a jerk. To clarify, what I want to say is that it does not necessarily imply that they are not willing to change. Before you set up the meeting, give some thought to what it is that you want to say. Put your ideas down on paper. Talk it over with your better half, whether it be your husband, partner, significant other, or a close friend. Check it out with a reliable friend or family member. When you do so, be cautious to examine seriously the arguments on all sides of the problem. There are always going to be two different perspectives on a tale. While you are thinking about what was said, you should make an effort to understand how your supervisor sees the situation. Consider the situation from their point of view.
Avoid making conclusions about the world that are based on your emotions. The facts are what they are: the facts. Even if you have a theory on why someone does something, it doesn't make it a truth just because you have the theory. It's only someone's viewpoint. Consider all of the alternatives, not just the ones you've already thought about.
Everyone is engaged in a conflict of some kind. It is probable that a person feels dissatisfied with themselves if they are a jerk. They bring baggage with them that you are unaware of. You are carrying around secrets that they are unaware of. When getting ready to conduct difficult talks, it is useful to have an understanding of this facet of the human condition.
4. Expand Your Skillset
Let's imagine that after answering the questions that came before, you discover that there could be another position inside the organization that is a better match for you. Have you received the training or education necessary to qualify for that role? If not, what steps would need to be taken in order to acquire such skills?
After you have determined the answer to that question, the next step is to formulate a strategy for obtaining the education you need. The majority of firms in today's world provide support to further your education. The majority of people desire to assist individuals who are interested in advancing their careers with their organization. Obtaining that knowledge can help you become a more valuable employee if you do so. Make a strategy to improve your education or acquire new skills if it turns out that the job you desire and the talents you need to attain it are not offered by the firm where you are now employed.
According to the findings of the research by Pew Research that was mentioned before, those in management positions had a considerably higher likelihood of being content with their professions. They are full-time workers who get a salary in addition to good perks as part of their employment package. Those who work in "manual operations" in retail have less perks and worse job satisfaction than people in other jobs. According to the results of the study, more than half of those whose annual salaries are at least $75,000 report that they are "extremely content" with their employment situation.
To advance your career and earn a better salary, you will need to acquire the necessary extra skills, degree, or certification. You may improve your financial situation by improving your education and your talents.
5. Create Additional Streams of Revenue for Your Business
If you are dissatisfied in your present job and are working long, stressful hours, it may seem impossible to find alternative sources of money to supplement your income. Go return to step two and examine your state of mind to get a quick review. We are going to work with the assumption that you desire to grow better and advance your standing. You'll have more freedom in your life after you've achieved financial independence. Having a diverse financial portfolio is one of the most effective ways to reach your goals.
It is conceivable for busy individuals to have several sources of income. There are a variety of techniques to generate income that do not demand a significant investment of time. Do you not know where to begin? I got it. If you're one of those individuals who say, "I despise my work," and you feel like you're in a rut, it might be challenging to consider other ways to make money on the side. In the event that this describes you, I beg you not to lose hope. There are a lot of different methods to make some extra money, and it doesn't matter whether you're an introvert, an extrovert, or even a mix of the two (yes, it is possible).
People who have achieved the greatest success and can retire with ease are those who have several sources of income. It might come through an investment in real estate, dividend-paying stocks, a company, or even something as simple as a part-time employment. You may be surprised to learn how little time and money it takes to get started with a few of these supplemental income opportunities or investments.
Do not believe that it is impossible just because you lack the necessary time or expertise. You have an abundance of both of them. The process of concentrating on a strategy to generate more money is more akin to a marathon than a sprint. It will not help you get out of the work tomorrow that you despise.
On the other hand, knowing that you have a plan to leave the area could make it simpler for you to tolerate the situation or make you feel better about it.