The reality is that most people work for money and that’s ok. But unless I’m mistaken, there’s not a rule book that says, “If you work for money, you must hate what you do.” So if you’re a part of the 80% that hate the work they do….it’s time for a change. Unfortunately change is hard and even when we know we need to change, we still fight it. I guess that’s just a part of human nature, but it doesn’t mean that we can’t change. We just need effective strategies to help us change.
Did you know that …
Most people don’t change until the pain we associate with staying the same becomes greater than the pain we associate with changing.
As a result there are many people who dislike their job, weight or financial situation, but because the situation is manageable, they never take the necessary steps to have what they really desire. Are you one of those people? You know you should get another job, but with the economy the way it is, you’ve decided to just stick it out. Or maybe you thought hating your job was normal because everyone you know feels the same way. Whatever the case, you can change and it starts with a choice.
Take a little time to be reflective about your job. Ask yourself the following questions…
Why don’t I like my job? Does the work leave me unfulfilled? Is it an issue with co-workers or my boss? Am I simply in the wrong line of work?
What would it take to make this job better for me? (If there is nothing that would make the job better, it’s time to move on)
Am I in a field I love, but I’ve allowed my passion to be diminished? For example, do you love teaching, but you’ve allowed all the problems of education to affect your passion for helping others learn?
If I could create my ideal job, what would it look like? What skills do I need to do my ideal job? Do I have them already? If not, how can I acquire them?
Do I love my job but hate my pay? What can I do about that? Does another company pay more?
Is my job affecting my health, my mental state or my relationships?
Am I living for the weekend?
What am I willing to do to change?
All of the questions, along with the others you will think of as you do this exercise, allow you to locate yourself. During this process, you can determine whether you really need a new job or you just need an attitude adjustment.
So how exactly do you adjust your attitude?
1. Recognize the need for an attitude adjustment
2. Make a quality decision to change
3. Develop an attitude of gratitude – Be thankful to have a job. List the things you love about your job and put the list on your work space.
4. Evaluate your relationships- Your environment is always working on you and is always stronger than you. So if you take breaks and lunch with people who hate their job, it will rub off on you.
5. Become accountable to someone – Give someone permission to tell you that you are complaining…again
What if you really do need a new job? Here are some steps for you…
1. Recognize the need for an attitude adjustment – if you have developed an attitude of complaining you will carry it into the perfect job so STOP COMPLAINING and DO SOMETHING!
2. Make a quality decision to do what it takes to find a job you enjoy… even if that means going back to school or applying 1,000 times
3. Develop an attitude of gratitude – Be thankful that you currently have a job even if not ideal at a time when so many are unemployed
4. Decide what you like – Make a list of the skills you have and enjoy using as well as the skills you are willing to develop. You may need to seek the aid of a career counselor to help you pair your skills with the right job.
5. Be consistent – Don’t give up if it doesn’t happen overnight. Commit to changing and stick with it.
6. Remember that even the perfect job will have challenges.
This Wednesday doesn’t have to be just another “Hump” day. It can be the day that you choose to make the necessary adjustments to enjoy your life…even at work. After all if you have to work, you might as well enjoy it, RIGHT!
Have a great Wednesday!
