How to Make the Most of a Bad Job Situation
Even with an improving economy, there’s still a lot of press about how hard it is to find a good, full-time job: a job that fulfills us and provides financial confidence for ourselves and our families. Too many good hard-working people are stuck having to deal with jobs they dislike and can barely bring themselves to do every single day.
There are no guarantees, but we can improve the probability that something Better! will come along with a few simple steps.
- Focus on other people. If it’s the actual work at your job that you dislike, try to connect with other people at your company. Show them what a positive person you are. Be easy to be around. Good relationships with your colleagues and supervisors can often make bad situations
much more bearable. Be sure to look outside your department as well. Find a small group you can spend some time talking to. Not complaining, just talking.
- Speak up. If you’ve built a positive relationship with your supervisor but often wind up with tasks that you just can’t stand doing, ask for some time to speak to your boss and let him or her know what you don’t like about the work you’re given. Be positive in your words and be prepared to offer specific solutions. Perhaps the two of you can work out a situation that allows you to avoid some of the work you dislike so much. And if you don’t have a positive relationship with your supervisor, why not start right there!
- Keep it light. Find ways to try to squeeze some appropriate humor into your everyday routine. At least smile. This will help you to pass the time and will hopefully have a positive response within your office.
- Enjoy yourself outside of work. As much as you can, try not to take your work home with you. Keep busy with positive outside activities. Enjoy your friends and family so that you don’t have to spend your time outside of work feeling down about your job. Balance is the key.
- Keep your options open. Block the time to polish your resume, check for job openings and attend networking events. The search for something Better! will help give you a light at the end of the tunnel. Take positive action to move your career towards that potentially Better! place.
Teddy Roosevelt had this great advice for any life situation: “Do what you can, with what you’ve got, right where you are.”
Make the most of a bad job situation while working proactively towards something Better! NEVER give up the goal of having work that you enjoy.
John J. Hall, CPA
John J. Hall, CPA, is an author, speaker and results expert who presents around the world at conventions, corporate meetings and association events.
Throughout his 35-year career as a business consultant, corporate executive and professional speaker, John has helped organizations and individuals achieve measurable results. He inspires audience members in corporations, not-for-profit organizations and professional associations to step up, take action and “do what you can.”