I’ve had the intro for this blog post sitting in my drafts for ages but as I was still at that job, it didn’t feel right to publish it because people at work knew about my blog. Now that I’ve left, I think it’s about time to share it with you. It started something like this…
I don’t love my job. But, during the almost one year and a half, I’ve learned to appreciate it. While I might not love it completely, I do love some things about it. Yes, I wish that I could say that I wake up every morning motivated to go to work but I would be lying if I said so. Who does, right? Even if you love what you do, I’m sure you wake up some mornings dreading to get out of bed for a certain reason. But we have to do it anyway.
Now my situation is different. It came to a point where I wasn’t happy anymore and felt like a change was long overdue. Meanwhile, I think I made the most of the almost two years I worked there. I was dedicated and always did my best. I learned to be grateful for it because, even though it was soul-sucking at times, it taught me so many things, both professionally and personally.
That being said, I’m sharing five tips to make the most of a job you don’t love.
How To Make The Most Of A Job You Don’t Love
Take some time to reflect.
Working at a job you don’t love can be disheartening at times. While it would be great if we landed on our dream job straight from college, it is part of the process and your opportunity to identify what you like and don’t like when it comes to the work industry.
Maybe you’ll realize that customer service isn’t for you; maybe you’ll realize that, as an introvert, you don’t thrive in big, open offices; maybe you’ll realize that you’re actually into another career path inside of your company.
Take this time to reflect and learn more about yourself.
Explore new opportunities.
Don’t forget about the learning opportunities. Even if you hate your job, there’s still something to learn from it.
Plus, don’t be afraid to explore other options inside your company. Think about what you like the most doing at your job, chat with your boss to see if there are any different assignments you could tackle or even pitch some of your own ideas.
You can also look for other opportunities outside the office. Maybe you’re feeling uninspired with your life in general, so start a side hustle or find a new hobby. Find something you enjoy outside of work. Maybe you just need something different in your life.
Make a list of everything you like about your job.
This is one of the biggest things that gave me the motivation to keep going. It got to a point where I was so focused on why I didn’t like my job that I would forget all the good reasons why I did like it. It wasn’t like I hated it, I was simply focusing too much on the negative side of things.
It was then that I changed my perspective and embraced an attitude of gratitude.
Next time you are dreading going to work or had a bad day at the office, remind yourself of all the things that you actually like about your job. It can be something like enjoying certain tasks you do or your amazing co-workers.
Put your best effort into everything you do.
Dwelling on the reasons why you hate your job will only make things harder for you. Instead, act like you enjoy your job and put your best effort into it. I know this is challenging but it will likely help to shift your outlook and show that you are a dedicated employee. This becomes even more important if you are trying to climb the career ladder.
Remember that this is temporary.
Both of my parents are in the same job for 30+ years but, nowadays, that’s very unlikely to happen in our generation. Although there will be a lot of moments where it seems like you are stuck in your current position and things will never improve, trust me, it does get better. Yes, it might be hard to find a job or even change careers but it is possible. Just remember that all is temporary.
Working at a job you don't love can be disheartening at times. Here's how to make the most of it. Click To Tweet
One of the best work advices that I ever received is that keep on doing what you’re doing at your best. I think that really helps no matter what kind of work situation you are in. I love your positive outlook
That is so true! It can be hard sometimes but it’s so important to keep doing your best no matter what. x