According to Gallup’s Annual State of the Global Workplace 2024 Report, 60% of people worldwide are emotionally detached in their job – and 19% say they are miserable.
This is disheartening, as it can be so challenging on your mental health to have to show up at a job you hate. You find yourself dreading the commute to work more and more, stomach in knots, and counting down every minute till your workday is over.
You know you need the money, but the agony you go through internally is sucking the life right out of your soul.
If this resonates with you, what can you do?
Without a doubt, you’re not alone. There are millions of people who are unhappy with their job and are desperate to figure out how to escape it and go after a job they love.
Here are some ideas on what to do about it.
6 Ideas to Help You Not Hate Your Job
1. Begin a New Journey
The good news is that if you’ve come to this point in your life, accepting the reality that your job is bringing you down, you can now start a journey to change your reality. You can begin to do some soul searching and determine what kind of job you might actually like – or even love!
Some of the common reasons for people to dislike their jobs include:
- inadequate pay
- unpleasant supervisors
- tedious tasks
- physically demanding work
- various other factors
2. Write it All Down
Your first step toward getting out of a job you dislike is to list what it is you don’t like about your job.
Don’t be afraid to list everything!
- Are you an introvert in a job that suits extroverts?
- Are you an extrovert stuck in a cubicle by yourself all day?
- Are you promoting products that you can’t get on board with?
- Or dealing with people that drive you crazy?
Write it all out, as this can be helpful to see if you really do hate the kind of work you’re doing, or if maybe the culprit is unhappiness deep in you that’s seeping into the job.
It could be that you’re dealing with some anxiety or depression, and you think a different job will solve your emotional state, when in reality, it might not.
Now, look at your list to get an idea of whether you’re just not digging the job, or you’ve got some underlying issues going on.
This can help you in determining your next step.
3. A New Career Path
If it’s a new career path you desire, rest assured that you can begin to take steps toward pursuing one.
You may feel stuck where you are, but that may just be your perspective; not reality. If a new career is what you’re after, take a moment to think about the thousands of people today that will make a decision to go after a new job. They’ll have had enough of where they are and desire something different.
It’s actually quite common.
You can do this too.
You want out of this job you hate? Great. Commit to doing what it takes to change your career path.
Pro tip: If you’re curious about changing your career path, looking at current job listings can help you understand what kinds of qualifications you’d need to be able to find success in that field.
Using a job search site like Jooble can help you search in 67 countries across hundreds of thousands of roles. You can also set up a job alert for your desired field or role and let them do the work for you if you know what you’re after!
4. How Do I Change My Career?
It might feel daunting to up and change careers. You may not have a clue where to start. The good news is that there is so much information online that can help you.
- What do you think you want to do?
- What kind of job do you think you would like?
- Write it all down.
Start researching what it takes to start in a new career.
- Do you need to take a class?
- Go back to school?
- Send out resumes?
- Hire a career coach?
All of this is possible.
In fact, a career coach can help you immensely if you’re wanting to switch careers or get out of a job you hate. It might be an investment financially, but the return on that investment will be one of the greatest you’ll ever receive.
Think about it. You spend mega hours at work, so you want to be sure you’re spending that time actually doing something that feels fulfilling.
5. Follow Up on the Details
Once you figure out a career path that you feel you’d like, make a plan to go after that job.
Create a cover letter and resume if the job requires such. If you can’t write them, hire someone who can. Also, don’t be afraid to ask other people for advice and referrals. Just making a plan isn’t enough. You must follow through with action.
6. If You Can’t Leave Your Current Job
Sometimes it’s challenging to leave your current job right away.
This can be quite frustrating. However, you can choose to view your circumstances as temporary, and that may help you be able to show up in a better mood. You might feel like you’ll be stuck there forever, but that doesn’t have to be the case.
Choose to believe that you can and will make the kind of changes you desire as soon as you can. Use that current job as an opportunity to practice patience, compassion, and service to humanity.
You never know who you come in contact with who may simply need a smile or kind word from you. You can brighten their day. This can help you get through the time frame awaiting your new job.
You Don’t Have to Hate Your Job
If you currently dislike your job, no doubt it is impacting you and perhaps others in your life.
If you’re emotionally or physically exhausted, you may not even be in the best mindset to know how to go about getting that job you would love. This is a prime reason to consider a career coach, as they can help you begin to identify what it is you desire and launch a plan to get there.
Finding a new job in a field that makes you happy will greatly improve your outlook on life and also help you feel more content.
Dream big and know that you deserve to have a successful career that brings you fulfillment and joy.
“Your career path should be a reflection of your authentic self, a pursuit that ignites your passion and brings fulfillment to your soul. Don’t be afraid to embrace change, explore new horizons, and step into the unknown. For it is in daring to choose a new career path that you uncover your true potential and unlock the doors to boundless opportunities. Believe in yourself, trust your instincts, and let your journey unfold with the unwavering determination to create a life that is truly extraordinary.” – Oprah Winfrey
Editor’s note: This article was originally published May 17, 2023 and has been updated to improve reader experience.
Credit:Ridofranz
