If you feel stuck in a job you don't enjoy, maybe there are things you can do to make it better.
Let's face it, your job is the place where you spend the majority of your day. If you hate your job, the odds are good that it is affecting your entire life. It's really hard to leave negativity at work and not end up taking it home with you. Before you know it, you are unhappy with your entire life, not just your job.
With the tough economic times we have all been going through lately, simply leaving a job you don't enjoy isn't so easy. Finding a job in today's market isn't impossible, but until you find the perfect fit, there are many factors that might keep you chained to a job that is not your dream. If you feel that you have to stick it out, there are some things you can do today that can make it a little better.
Here are 5 things you should stop doing at work, that will make you happier:
- Stop refreshing your inbox – Email can suck up a whole lot of time during your day. If you find that you are spending a great deal of time dealing with your inbox, plan out a couple of email breaks. Almost any email can wait a few hours for you to respond. This will help you become more productive and will stave off burn out.
- Cut out the gossip – Gossip just breeds negativity. Even if your office is a nest of gossips, bite your tongue. Every time you want to say something snide or mean about a co-worker, try to think of something nice to say about them. Negativity is contagious, but so is positivity. A positive workplace is a much more pleasant place to be.
- Don't eat at your desk – I had a job where the culture insisted that people should eat lunch at their desk rather than take an actual break. There was a lot of pressure, and those who opted for an actual break were viewed as slackers. This is just silly. Taking an actual break and getting away from your desk in order to eat lunch can make you more productive because it gives you a change of scenery and helps clear your head.
- Don't coast through your day – When you feel burned out and hate your job, it's tempting to just quit but still show up. Instead of counting the minutes until you can leave, look for new challenges. If you don't think there are any new mountains to climb at work, look at some career training courses or even consider going back to school. Think of things you can do that will get you motivated.
- Don't let jealousy ruin your workplace – There are bound to be people that achieve more or get promoted while you flounder in the same position. Don't be jealous. Working as a team means setting aside your own ego. When someone achieves something, try to be genuinely happy for them.
When you are trapped in a job that you don't enjoy, it can be really tough. Instead of being miserable, chose to be happy. You don't have to change jobs, just change your attitude.
What do you do to make your workplace a happier, more productive one? Please share your thoughts in the comments.
By Melissa Kennedy- Melissa is a 9 year blog veteran and a freelance writer for Administrativejobsblog. Along with helping others find the job of their dreams, she enjoys computer geekery, raising a teenager, supporting her local library, writing about herself in the third person and working on her next novel.
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