On the Job by Anita Bruzzese Learning To Love a Job You Hate

On the Job by Anita Bruzzese Learning To Love a Job You Hate For whatever reason it has great health benefits, you like the location and theres a really cute programmer who works on the fourth floor you have made the decision that youre staying with a job you hate.It wasnt an easy decision. People job hop these days faster than Matthew McConaughey can rip off his shirt. But even though you have to drag yourself into work every day, youre not going to quit. The boss seems to like your work, so theres not even the chance you might get fired. In fact, you just got a pay raise. Dammit.That was the last straw. Now you really feel trapped in this job you despise, the job that you began with such great expectations.To be honest about it, the job wasnt that bad in the beginning, or even in the middle. Its just been lately that youve come to feel youre being led to the gallows every time you enter the front door. You look around at others, and they dont seem to be as miserable as you. Why, you think, are they so darn happy? Why arent they mired in th e same pit of despair?You know youre staying put, but can you survive? Are you just kidding yourself?The answer is yes and no. Yes, there is a way to survive, and no, youre not just kidding yourself.I speak from experience. I once had a job that I despised so much I used to think about chucking my degree and all my years of hard work and going to work at an IHOP. I envisioned getting pancakes at an employee discount. That seemed like a pretty good alternative to spending my days writing about subjects that were so boring I thought I would lose my mind.And then, the boss took me out for lunch. I thought I was going to get a scolding for sleeping with my eyes open, but he offered me a lateral move within the company. That didnt sound so appealing why would I want to move from one job I hated into something equally as noxious?But he talked me into it. He didnt know at the time how bad I hated my job, and how the call of an all-you-can-eat pancake feast was a constant battle. In the en d, he persuaded me and I took the new job.By the end of the first day in the new position, I had been transformed. While I was doing much of the same work, it was different.I wasnt bored anymore. It was a new subject, new territory to be conquered. I could feel my sluggish brain begin to re-engage, to fire all cylinders. I met new people, immersed myself in learning new stuff. Within the week, I realized I no longer craved pancakes. I liked the new tasks I was given. And then it hit me: I loved my job.The lesson: Yes, Virginia, you can learn to love the job you hate.Here are some tips to get you started: Make a list of what you like and dont like about your job. Its OK to say you really like the cute programmer or the hours you work, but also think of what tasks you enjoy doing. I always liked writing, but I didnt like the subject. By changing the focus of my work, it made a world of difference. Envision a new way to work. Think about all the things you need to make you like your jo b again. Would you like a chance to experience something new, such as interacting with others in another department? Receive more recognition from your boss? Get a mentor? Structure a plan. Put together some ideas for how youd like to change your job, the new duties and goals. Talk to the boss as soon as possible. Dont let a manager put you off until a performance appraisal; let the boss know youve got a plan youd like to present. Explain to the boss in a reasonable, conversational tone that youve been thinking a lot about your current situation, and you believe youre ready for some new challenges. Point out your contributions, and how youre committed to continuing to do a great job. Lay the groundwork about the changes youd like to make, pointing out the advantages for the company. Dont give up. It may take weeks, even months, for changes to be made. Bosses can be resistant to changing employee duties, not wanting to upset the apple cart. But if you remain professionally persistent , and keep pointing out what a positive move it can be you may find that reinventing your job was the right move for you.What are some other ways to find more satisfaction and joy in a job?del.icio.us