How to Stay Positive until You Can Get out of a Job You Hate

Aug 31, 2017

Are you feeling stuck in a job you hate, and thinking about how to break into the career you want? You’re not alone. Many people have endured such struggles, and gone on to great success. Many of them work full or part time while they go to technical colleges to prepare for a career they’ll love.

While you’re waiting for the day when you can hand in your resignation, thinking positive will make your work days easier. An upbeat attitude can also prevent your interim job from dragging you down, and interfering with your future. Shore up your strength with these 7 tips.

Search for the good points. Find at least one thing you like about your position. It could be a task that leverages your strengths or being able to eat your lunch outside in the park. Maybe you can restructure your job so you spend more time on the tasks you’re good at, or you can bring a book or podcast along to turn your lunch hour into a mini-vacation.

Focus on others. Helping others is a powerful way to take your mind off your own troubles. Go the extra mile to help out a customer or lend a hand to a coworker who’s feeling overwhelmed. Volunteer in your community to sort cans at a food bank or clean up the neighborhood park. You’ll build your confidence when you see that you’re making a difference in other’s lives. Plus, they’re likely to reciprocate, and want to be there for you when you need support.

Look ahead. Everything is temporary so don’t let your current job bring you down. Do something each day to invest in your future. Try to put aside some portion of your paycheck for savings so you’ll become more financially secure. Plan fun and enriching activities you can look forward to in the evening and on weekends. Research educational programs in your local area, and order their brochures to find out more.

Change your self talk. Stop telling yourself you hate your job. Using more neutral language can help you feel better even if your work conditions remain the same. Tell yourself that it’s unpleasant or not something you want to be doing for the rest of your life. Give yourself a pep talk when you need some motivation. Review your past accomplishments, and recognize that you have the potential to keep learning and growing.

Shift your attention. How much time do you spend thinking about your job? Chances are you’re not being paid for all that mental effort when you’re out of the workplace. Make it a rule to stop worrying about work on your own time. If you find it hard to switch gears, try telling yourself you can think about it for 10 minutes a day, and then gradually cut down the time.

Reach out for support. You need a strong network to help you thrive and survive life’s challenges. That’s especially true if you’re going to juggle work, school, and family responsibilities. Let your family and friends know what’s going on with you. Ask them for the specific help you need whether it’s moral encouragement or going out for coffee when you need a break.

Manage stress safely. Feeling pressured can make you more likely to give into destructive behaviors like overeating or overspending just when you need to be taking better care of yourself so you stay strong. Find constructive ways to deal with stress like physical exercise or listening to your favorite music.

At Chattanooga College, you can train for a fulfilling career in highly popular fields like Computer Networking, Criminal Justice, and Medical Assisting. Contact us today if you’re looking for a change.

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