5 Ways to Love a Job You Hate

Learning to love the job you think you hate

Isn’t loving something you hate a paradox?

Many people might believe this, but the truth is that loving something – even a sucky job – is a choice you make every single day.

You probably also think that you’re not supposed to be happy at work, that happiness is something which must be reserved for the weekend or vacations, and every time you see a co-worker joyfully humming a tune, you wonder why he isn’t as miserable as you.

I’m going to let you in on a little secret: you don’t have to find the perfect workplace with the perfect boss and the perfect colleagues to be happy.

Working as an engineer at NASA won’t necessarily make you happier than the guy who sells hot dogs at the corner of the street.

So what exactly is the secret to loving your sucky job?

Let’s find out.

1. You have to understand that it’s not them. It’s you!

Several days ago, I was talking to one of my friends.

He kept complaining about how much he hated his cubicle-prison job.

Even though he would have quit in a blink of an eye, he said that he feared not being able to find another workplace in this economy, and even if he could, how could he be sure that the next job wouldn’t be as sucky, if not suckier, than the first?

Who can guarantee that the next workplace won’t be teeming with gossipy colleagues and unreasonable bosses?

Nobody.

I’m sure you all have that friend who is never happy, no matter how many jobs he changes, but has it ever occurred to you that the jobs themselves aren’t to blame?

“Just like everything else in your life, your workplace results from your attitudes and beliefs.

In other words, regardless of whether you have the perfect job, or a sucky one, if you’re set on hating it, you probably will.” – Sharon Armstrong, Managing Director at ArmstrongAppointments

2. Change your Mindset

The first and most important thing you need to do is to change your belief regarding that work and to free yourself of negative emotions.

But this is easier said than done.

After focusing on negative emotions for so long, it can be hard to transform into an eager beaver.

That’s why you have to take it one step at a time!

The fact of the matter is that any type of job can suck.

Being a CEO can suck.

Being a cashier can suck.

Even being an architect can suck.

Or not.

The secret to loving your career isn’t finding that wonderful, perfect workplace at the rainbow’s end.

It’s looking at your job and automatically feeling complete.

Happy.

Have you ever encountered a sales clerk in a store who seems genuinely happy to help you?

The kind who smiles, not the fake or manic-enthusiasm smile, but the honest ‘I’d love to help smile?

They will make you feel so good that you’ll want to return only to see them again.

These are the people who love their jobs.

What does being happy mean to you?

Is it belonging to a company where you feel valued or helping people?

Do you enjoy seeing your customers smile?

The definition of work happiness varies from one person to another.

Find your own and focus on it.

3. No two days are the same

Even if you had a shitty day at work, you must understand that the next day will not be the same.

Never wake up thinking that this day will be like the others.

View every day as an opportunity to hone your skills and meet new people.

This is a massive shift in mindset, but once you can master it, your work-life will become infinitely better.

4. Improve your Office Set-up

If you spend 8 hours a day at one office, you should consider improving your set-up.

You have no idea how much good a little change can do.

Here are a few tricks that will help lift your mood:

Keep the temperature between 19 and 22 degrees Celsius.

Studies have shown that a chilly office makes employees perceive a space as less friendly.

Improve your space: cubicle offices are hated because they have high walls, which deter open communication.

If possible, you should opt for open-plan bullpen office types.

Add a photo of your loved ones or a flower to light up the atmosphere.

Find a sweet spot: Doctors recommend standing up for a cumulative two hours throughout the day.

According to them, this will make you feel more optimistic and energetic.

Also, if you spend long hours in front of the computer, you should ask for an adjustable chair.

Find a comfortable position that doesn’t strain your back or joints.

Listen to relaxing music: Office chatter, keyboard noises, phones, and other distractions raise the body’s epinephrine levels and make us edgy.

If you can’t ask your colleagues to pipe down, you should consider listening to soothing music to override the background noise.

5. Become a Person that You’d Love to Work with

You expect your co-workers to be charming, helpful, and sociable.

But how fun are you to have around?

As I mentioned above, it is incredibly easy to get caught up in the negativity of others.

Before you know it, you’ll start moaning and pouting in misery.

Not very inspirational, is it?

If you’re ever going to love your work-place, you have to become the type of employee that others will love.

Think of the ideal co-worker.

What does he look like?

What qualities does he have?

How would he treat others?

Work towards becoming that person.

Those around you will automatically change their perception, and the work environment will become ten times better.

Image Sources: Depositphotos, HomeDecorary