How to Manage Workplace Unhappiness
When you are unhappy in a job, each day can become something to dread; though you need the income, it can be difficult to get up in the morning. What's more, stress from work can spread into your personal life, affecting relationships and poisoning your free time. If quitting your job is not an option, take steps to manage your unhappiness and make the workplace a more comfortable place to spend eight hours each day.
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Instructions
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Build relationships with colleagues. Make an effort to get to know your co-workers by asking questions about their personal lives. Start small and ask about their weekend, the photos in their work space or an interesting piece of jewelry. Ask a team member out to lunch, or bring in baked goods to share on a dreary Monday. Smile and make a point to say hello to create a friendly, pleasant atmosphere in which to work.
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Ask for new responsibilities. Identify professional areas that you are interested in developing and approach your boss with a request to be assigned to projects that will help build skills. If your company offers continuing education reimbursement, take a class or workshop to develop your expertise. In doing so, you will keep yourself busy with things that are interesting and engaging, and you will show your boss that you are willing to grow as a member of the team.
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Personalize your work space. Bring in photos of your family and friends, or put up a postcard from a favorite travel destination. Choose items that make you smile or remind you of happy moments. By surrounding yourself with cheerful things, you can brighten up an impersonal space and create a sense of ownership and homeyness.
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Find a mentor. Often, lack of direction can lead to unhappiness at work. Seek a mentor who can help you navigate the career maze at your company and in your industry. Choose someone who is in a higher position or who holds a job that you'd like to do in the future. Schedule regular meetings to talk about work possibilities, ask for advice and make plans for advancement.
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Make an action plan. If you are unhappy in your position but need the money to survive, design an exit strategy. Choose a set time period in which you will search for a new job, go back to school or save money to travel, and choose a goal date. The knowledge that you will be getting out of a miserable work situation can be motivation enough to keep going. By working in a set time frame, you will be secure in the thought that the end is in sight.
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References
- Photo Credit BananaStock/BananaStock/Getty Images
