Have you reached the point where you’d rather stick your head in the oven than head out the door to work every morning? You’re not alone. And, if it’s that painful, you can at least relax a bit in the knowledge that whatever you’re doing right now isn’t what you’re going to be doing a year from now (hopefully).
Just because everyone says if you’re not happy you should “get out now” doesn’t mean YOU are ready to do that. It’s okay if you have to stick it out for a bit longer. Finances, family situations, building up your resume, and other future plans, such as travel or whatever, can all make it more desirable to stay where you are until you’re ready to move on.
Just make sure your reasons for keeping this job that makes you miserable don’t have anything to do with fear or (laziness)!
Here are a few ways to ease the stress of doing something you don’t want to do, while finalizing your plans to one day get where you’d rather be — without going bat-crap crazy in the meantime:
1. Immediately start creating and continually revise your exit plan until you leave.
If there was never any end in sight, nobody would run marathons, or compete in triathlons, etc., etc. All human beings need a goal to strive toward. Your number one goal needs to be deciding when you’re going to hang it up, and how exactly you’ll do it.
- Do you need to save some money before doing it?
- Do you have your next job choice in mind yet?
- Do you have any contractual obligations to your current employer that needs to be met before you go?
In particular, if you don’t know what you want to do next, that needs to be a big part of your internal dialogue in the coming weeks and months. Sometimes it’s best to just cut the cord and move on with no clue what will come next. For others, the stress of waking up tomorrow with no job or job prospects might create more problems in your life than you’re willing to endure.
Failing to plan is planning to fail.
2. Be good to the people you’re working with.
I’ve lost track of all the stories I’ve heard about people who’ve burned bridges that ended up kicking them straight in the family jewels down the road. One guy I know actually punched his boss in the face because he didn’t like being criticised (he was young and dumb at the time).
Years later, that same boss was the head of a massive general contracting firm that paid VERY well for this guy’s trade. Mr. Punchity-punch applied for a job paying close to $50/hr, got an interview, and guess who walked by as he was sitting in the HR lounge awaiting his interview?
Bad things we’ve done tend to follow us throughout life…
Then there’s the simple fact that being miserable with people cause you’re not happy doesn’t do anyone any good. There’s no sense in creating a situation where you might get fired before you’re ready, or making your coworkers look forward to your departure.
What I’m getting to are two things:
- Only morons burn bridges, unless you’re dealing with people that just can’t be reasoned with in any way — what goes around, comes around.
- Don’t worry, be happy, and strive toward bringing your coworkers to tears when you leave, cause they’re so unhappy to see you go!
3. Switch your mindset to a glass half full mentality.
This should be obvious, but rarely is it used when one finds themselves thoroughly fed up with their current situation. Indeed this one is easier said than done, but it needs to be done nonetheless to preserve your sanity.
Resolve that you’re actively planning your exit from your current job and that one day, not long from now, you’ll be in much more of a positive situation. That’s it. If you can’t find a way to convince yourself that things will get better soon, your work will suffer now and if depression sets in, it might get in the way of your efforts to move on.
Ready, set, go!
If you’re not happy in your current job, it’s up to you to start making strides toward changing your situation. If you don’t think it’s smart to give your notice now and get the heck outta there, you need to start planning and making sure your attitude is in check in order to maintain sanity and avoid making your situation worse.
Are you happy in your current job?
Main Image Credit: Bob Julius/Flickr
