Do you frequently walk into work each morning and think ughhh not this again? I know that feeling all too well! Waking up to a 9 to 5 job everyday feels like you never left work. One minute you’re making your way home and the next you’re turning off the alarm for work the next morning. If you’re someone like me who’s constantly buzzing with ideas/plans of things they want to achieve in life, going to a job you’re not passionate about is mental torture.
Not a day goes by when I don’t ask myself why am I still here. Dealing with the bitchiness, microaggressions and managers breathing down my neck on a day to day basis is emotionally draining. In an ideal world I would never work a 9-5 job and just live my life pursuing all the things I enjoy. However like many others, I depend on my job to pay my bills. I don’t come from a privileged background with an abundance of savings to fall back on. The option to just quit and pursue my goals is not realistic at this present moment. Coming from a low-income/poor background does not afford you the same options as someone with a safety net who can leave their job without any repercussions.
I think society undermines the emotional and physical toll it can have on people who are in a job they don’t enjoy. Within capitalist society, it’s not about whether you like your job, but working as a matter of survival. This harsh reality requires us to find coping mechanisms to help preserve our well-being. Over the past year I have been finding new ways to cope on a day to day basis until I am finally able to make that leap to pursue my career goals. These methods have helped me and I want to share them with you.
Tips to help you survive your job:
1. Have a passion outside of work- Whether it’s reading, community work or dance classes, indulging in a hobby outside of work will bring joy and a sense of fulfilment into your life. Having a hobby can keep you motivated to continue your day knowing that you have something to look forward to afterwards. If you’re in the process of setting up a business you’re passionate about, the dislike you have for your job should act as a source of motivation to spend a little time each day working on that said idea and putting it into fruition.
2. Change your perspective of your job- I was watching a Lisa Nicols video (check her out if you haven’t already) on Youtube and she said something that had a profound impact on me. She said “see your job as your investor”. Once I heard this I stopped thinking of my job as a burden but as something that was funding my goals. When you start to feel low about your job, say to yourself I’m going to work for my ‘investor’. If you picture your job as someone who’s funding your dreams then it’ll make you feel more motivated to go into work.
3. Set yourself a realistic time period for you to leave your job (if you want to quit)- If you hate your job so much that you want to leave, set yourself a realistic and attainable deadline of when you want to leave your job. Take into consideration that your financial situation might fluctuate and any other external factors that might inhibit you from quitting i.e. whether you’ve accumulated enough experience or how long it’ll take you to find another job. I made the mistake previously of over anticipating when I could leave, only to be disappointed when certain financial burdens got in the way. Set yourself a target and focus your mind each day to preparing yourself to meet your goal.
4. Take breaks at work when you get frustrated- If you’re at work and you find yourself feeling agitated about your job, take a few minutes away to recollect your thoughts. Take an extra few minutes away from your computer screen or take a longer toilet break (do whatever doesn’t get you caught out lol). If you’re someone like me who gets easily annoyed this is important. By taking some time out, it gives you an opportunity to remind yourself of your intentions and why you’re at your job in the first place.
5. Set yourself mini goals- Dedicate some time to write down what you want to achieve every week. It’s usually recommended that you write down a few mini goals to achieve each day instead of a lengthy list. Writing down your goals and achieving them will make you feel more fulfilled knowing you’re spending time nurturing your life outside of work.
And lastly. You might dislike your job but i’m sure you can find some good aspects of it too. Your job is probably teaching you excellent transferable skills that can be used for your next job/career choice. That annoying manager is teaching you vital skills about leadership. Your retail job is teaching you how to interact with customers which is vital for having your own business. Your salary is funding those nights out with your friends and start the up money to pursue your dreams. Take advantage of the experiences that your job is offering you. The positives and negatives all make for great live lessons. And remember, you don’t have to be stuck in this job forever!
Are you currently in a job you dislike?
What are the struggles you face on a daily basis? And how do you cope, if at all?
I hope i’m not by myself in this struggle haha.
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