Whether it's your first entry-level position job or a career you've outgrown, chances are you might have been stuck in a job you hate. There could be plenty of reasons why the gig you have now makes it hard for you to get out of bed. Your boss could be scarier than Miranda Priestly from The Devil Wears Prada, you're forced into a mind-numbing amount of over-time, you don't care about the work you do, or you feel like you're wasting away nine hours of every day — these are all valid reasons for counting down till Friday and rueing the arrival of Monday.
And while most people would tell you to just quit already, sometimes that's just not possible. People have rent and bills to consider, and it's not exactly easy to come up with a replacement job on the fly. It takes time and patience — which is why you're sticking it out. But just because you hate your job with every fiber of your body doesn't mean you have to simmer in that feeling. You can look for the tiny silver lining spots, and turn that deep hatred into a dull, annoying ache. Below are seven ways to like the job you hate, at least till you're ready to move on to something better.
1. Write Down The Things You Actually Like About It
While the majority of it could be crap, there have to be some things you like about your job. Maybe it's next to one of the best cupcake bakeries in town, or one of the workers is pretty funny to hang out with come lunch. Maybe it's a super short commute from home, or it allows you to wear whatever you want. Whatever it is that redeems it, write it own. Create a little list to remind yourself it's not 100 percent bad, and think about that list every morning on your way to work. It'll help.
Lifestyle writer Somer Sherwood at xoJane wrote, "First, I think it helps to make a list of all the good parts, and repeat it to yourself every day. Seriously, say it or think it every day." Even if you start counting down till five o'clock the second you get on the elevators, have your redeeming list at the forefront of your mind. It'll help you hate a little less.
2. Cut The Negativity
It's only natural that when you hate something, the knee-jerk reaction is to complain about it and loudly. But that's not helping things.
Adam Dachis, lifestyle writer at Lifehacker, wrote, "Instead of complaining, consider solutions. Try to find ways to improve things. If you can't change the way things work in the office, consider ways to help you cope with those problems. Being more proactive and less negative may not fix everything, but it can improve your situation." Even if your solution is something like "Grab drinks with the bestie every Wednesday to help me through," or "Eat a bite-size Snickers every time I get steamrolled," it'll feel good knowing you're finding solutions for the things that bother you most.
3. Use This As Practice For Your Dream Job
Even if you hate it, you have to admit that you're picking up some skills there. So instead of focusing on how much you can't wait to break free, use it as an opportunity to grow the skills you need for your dream job.
According to Lifehack, "Even in a miserable job, you have a wealth of opportunities to polish your skills. Have a boss who’s a hothead? This is your time to get paid to practice dealing with difficult people...Find ways to streamline the processes at work. How can you be more efficient in dealing with email and phone messages? How can you better manage your time? Build good habits now that you will take with you when you leave."
Examine where you're lacking in qualifications or experience and use this time to brush up on it. Hate public speaking? Ask to run a meeting (because who cares if you mess up.) Aren't the most organized? Pick up systems and skills for it from the office. Use those hours wisely and you'll feel like you're building towards a better future.
4. Make Super Fun Plans
We spend a huge portion of our week in our offices, and if you hate where you work that can be significantly depressing. To balance that out (and lessen your hate) make sure you plan super awesome things to do with your time off. That way you have something to look forward to and don't feel like this black cloud has taken over your life.
Career consultant Jennifer Winter suggested, "When I was at my lowest with my lousy jobs, I tried to make as many plans with friends or doing activities I enjoyed as I could. I always had something to look forward to, rather than only something to dread—going to work." If you give yourself something to be excited over, getting through that nine to five won't be so bad.
5. Earn Extra Money Outside Of Your Job
Do you love to paint? Maybe you've got a clever eye when it comes to repurposing vintage? Or do you have a talent for writing or baking? If you have a side hobby that could earn you some extra money, try selling it as a side gig. That little enterprise could give you hope (and confidence!) that your job isn't the only thing that could ever give you income.
Lifehack suggested, "Consider consulting or selling your creations. Having an outside income helps take the sting out of a miserable work situation...Earning a second income is a consistent reminder that you are able to earn money apart from your main source of income." So roll up those sleeves and get to work during the weekend — it could be just the boost you need to quit.
6. Remind Yourself This Is Only Temporary
It might be tough now, but if you hang up a reminder that this rough patch is only temporary, it'll be easier to get through the work week.
Lifehack pointed out, "When I once worked in a job I hated, I helped bide my time by hanging a reminder on my bulletin board that said, 'This is only temporary. De-invest.'"
Whether it's hanging up a quote that'll keep your head up, or posting up a picture for a trip you're saving up for, or a print-out of a future work space you can have as a graphic designer or novelist or painter, the little reminder that this is temporary will help you out during those stressful moments.
7. Wake Up Early
Give yourself a little me-time before work to put in a pep in your step and make the next nine hours more bearable.
Winter offered, "I started gradually waking up just 15 minutes early at first, until I was up to a full hour. I filled that time with things I enjoyed, my only requirement being I wasn’t allowed to do anything even remotely related to work." So take a bubble bath, linger over a plate of pastries, go to a bakery for some fancy coffee, put on Netflix before you get into your work clothes — just do something fun that'll remind you your life is pretty sweet.
And it doesn't have to stop being so just because you're not where you want to be yet with work. Just remember: You will be.
