We’ve all been there, hunched over computer screens watching the clock, and waiting for another terrible work day to end.
You dislike the management, the company culture, or the lack of meaningful work on your desk. In short: you hate your job.
But no matter how much the job sucks, quitting might not always be a feasible option for you. So here are a few tips on how you can stay positive at work in the meantime:
1) Think about your next job:
Before you hand your resignation in, think about what you want your next job to be. Are there skills you need to develop to make yourself more employable in a few months? Use your time at work to enhance your skill set by volunteering for new projects or taking on new responsibilities. This will help you stay motivated and show your boss some initiative at the same time.
2) Think about your salary:
It’s not about how much you get in your bank account every month but about the good things you can afford with your paycheck. Are you saving up for a once-in-a-lifetime trip? How about a new house? New car? Designer shoes? When you can’t get yourself out of bed in the morning, just focus on what each minute at work actually buys you. At the very least, you can be thankful that you have a job to pay for the roof over your head.
3) Smile more:
Studies have shown that smiling decreases stress and can actually make you happy. Smile at your colleagues and resist the urge to send passive-aggressive emails. You might be fed up with your job but you don’t have to inflict misery on everyone else. After all, no one likes working with unhappy people so make the effort to be positive and nice to your colleagues. You never know when you might need to ask them for a reference.
4) Keep a list of all the good things:
Start making a list of all the positive things about your job, your colleagues, or your workplace that you might miss when you leave. Will you miss the expensive coffee machine that pours a perfect espresso every time? The free fruit bowl? Going to your favorite place for lunch? How about after-work drinks with your colleagues?
5) Dress better:
Take pride in your appearance and go out of your way to dress better for work. When you look good, you’ll feel better, walk taller and be less likely to stab the next person who dares to ask you for something (even if it’s only to avoid getting blood stains on your favorite outfit).
6) Stop whining:
Constantly talking about your problems actually makes you feel worse. You might think that complaining to your friends is therapeutic but all it does is keep re-enforcing the negative feelings you already have about your job. The next time you’re out with your friends, stop thinking about what it’s like being in the office and just enjoy being out of it.
7) Live outside the office:
Try not to get caught up in the daily grind. Instead, take a breather every now and again to do something you genuinely enjoy, whether it’s going to the cinema, working out, meeting friends, etc. By scheduling your activities after a work day, you’ll also have something other than the “close-of-business” to look forward to.
Try to stay actively engaged until you’re actually out the door instead of wallowing in your misery. No matter how much you hate your job, don’t forget that it’s only temporary and that you are in charge of your own happiness!
