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I Hate My Job! How to Stop Feeling Miserable and What to Do Next

I Hate My Job! How to Stop Feeling Miserable and What to Do Next

“I hate my job.” “I hate my boss.” “I hate my company.” Any of these sound familiar? If you think you’re the only person that hates their job, think again. For most people, there’s at least one aspect of their job they dislike. 

According to Gallup Poll, eighty-percent of people from 200 countries hate their jobs. The Conference Board conducted a survey in 2020 that showed overall job satisfaction was 56.3%. In the U.S., approximately 35% of Americans are not satisfied with their jobs

Whether it’s their boss, colleagues, type of work, or commute, various factors weigh into why one might hate their job. And as one would suspect, this has a direct effect on your overall happiness.

Having a job you hate is actually worse for your mental health than having no job at all according to the University of Manchester. While it may seem hard to believe, those who’ve been there know exactly what it’s like. Most of your waking hours are spent at work, so having a job you extremely dislike can make it hard to enjoy life.

What To Do When You Hate Your Job

So, what can you do when you hate your job, your boss, your coworkers, or your company? For starters, keep your thoughts to yourself. Vocalizing your complaints can do more harm than good.

Speaking negatively about your job or work environment can put you at risk of actually losing it.

Steps to Take:

  • If you have just started the job, there may be things you can do to salvage it.
  • You may be able to work with your employer to switch things up, so you’re happier at work.
  • There are also steps you can take to move on if you hate your job, and you’re not happy at work.

People often spend time at jobs or work they actively dislike or hate. It’s worth the time to look into other job opportunities

Do yourself a favor and try to find a job that you enjoy. Not only will you be happier, but you’ll also be more likely to perform better at your job, which could lead to more opportunities in the future, like promotions and raises.

Think Before You Speak (Or Post)

Even though some people prefer to vent their concerns about their job, it’s best to play it safe and keep those thoughts to yourself. 

Speaking about the subject to your close friends and family is fine, but don’t blast it out to the world on social media. Vocalizing your complaints on social media is risky since coworkers and supervisors might see your comments and inform their superiors. 

And employees aren’t the only ones on social media; employers use it, too. Approximately seventy-percent of employers use social media to research potential employees.

Employers can Google employees, where social media posts may pop up, like Tweets or Facebook posts. 

While it’s hard to keep your frustrations to yourself, it’s for your good. Complaining about your job can in turn cause you to lose it. Stick to strategically planning your departure from the company, instead.

Know You’re Not Alone

It’s common for nearly everyone to wind up at a job they hate at some point, so don’t think you’re alone. It may be your boss, or it may be how the company’s run. Whatever it may be, numerous factors can make you dislike your job.

According to LinkedIn, there are 10 reasons why people hate their job. These are just a few:

  • They’re overmanaged
  • They’re poorly paid 
  • Poor work/life balance
  • They lack passion
  • Etc.

Once you’ve reached the point where you realize you hate your job, the next step is to look closer and analyze why you hate it. Is it a personal issue, something you can solve? Or is it a bigger problem that requires you to talk to your boss?

Assess the Situation

This step may seem obvious, but it’s important nonetheless. It’s easy to let your frustration influence your logic and cloud your judgment. Oftentimes, this causes us to neglect the real core issue that’s causing all the frustration. 

It’s time to take a step back and ask yourself some hard questions, like whether or not the problem is with you or your employer. 

First, if the problem is with you, you should be asking questions like; Is this really what I’m passionate about? Do I always dislike my jobs? Do I feel stuck or unfulfilled? Am I balancing my work life and my social life? 

If those questions don’t relate to your situation, then you need to ask yourself questions like; Is your workload too overwhelming? Are you being sabotaging at work? Is your boss making you feel incompetent? Are you working long, hard hours but not receiving recognition or appreciation for all you do? Is your boss doing something they’re not legally allowed to do? Is a member on your team not pulling his weight, causing your frustration?

Analyzing your situation probably isn’t the action-step you were hoping for, but it’s important to ask questions like these so you can follow the next steps with a clear head.

But remember: it’s not your boss’s job to read your mind. If something is making you unhappy, it’s up to you to go to them and speak up. Most employers are ready and willing to provide solutions to make sure high-quality talent like yours doesn’t get away. 

Addressing your problems head-on with your manager can help eliminate those issues and increase happiness in your work environment.

Try Looking at Things From a Different Perspective 

Of course, the cliché response would be, “Stay positive!” or “Look on the bright side!” You’ll hear those sayings time and time again when you’re having work difficulties. While it may get annoying, there’s still some truth to it. 

Shifting your perspective on the problem can make a world of difference for you.

When you hate what you do for a living, it’s easy to get into a constant negative attitude. And while it may seem comforting for a short period, it can make things much worse.

Instead, approach your difficulties as a way to build character, refine your skills, and conquer new challenges. Ask yourself, is this something I can’t overcome?  

Don’t Quit…Unless You Have a Valid Reason

In cases like these, the frustration can get to you and it’s easy to let your emotions take over. But don’t quit right out of the gate. Take some time to think about your situation and consider some other job options. 

Here are some questions to ask yourself:

  • Is it so bad you need to quit, or are you just going through a rough patch?
  • Is there anything you can do differently to increase your happiness at work?
  • Have you considered asking for a transfer or shift change? 
  • Is there something you can do to convince yourself to stay?

In most cases, there are things you can turn around so you like — maybe not necessarily love — your job. Consider some alternative paths you can take before making such a big decision.

If there’s something you can fix, it’s worth finding the time to do it. Besides, finding a new job isn’t always easy, and some people can’t afford to resign.

If you’ve assessed the situation, weighed the pros and cons, and still think you need to quit your job, that’s perfectly fine. Now it’s time to start searching for other job opportunities. 

But it’s important not to quit your job before you do. Searching for a new job is much easier when you have one. Plus, the more time you have to prepare, the better. 

Once you’ve taken the time to create or update your LinkedIn profile, connect with recruiters, and upgrade your resume. But most importantly, do it discreetly. Don’t tell your coworkers that you’re on the hunt for a new and better job. Spreading the news that you’re planning to leave won’t make your boss too happy.