In the era of the Great Resignation, many people are looking at how to increase work satisfaction. The reality is that you, the employee, can learn to love your job again all on your own. So don’t start your job search just yet. You have the power to remold your “I hate my job” mindset.
You can start by realizing that you’re not alone in feeling low job satisfaction. We’ve all been there. The grind becomes repetitive and wears us down, or we feel powerless to get any further in our career.
It’s easy to get stuck in this cycle of negativity. To lose the spark that fueled your professional flame and get disillusioned with your job.
3 Reasons You’re Saying “I Hate My Job”
If you’ve been thinking about putting in your two weeks notice, it likely boils down to one of these common reasons.
1. The Culture is Terrible
Many organizations still live in the dark ages. They lack management expertise that can foster strong culture. Workplace bullying, gossiping, and poor teamwork are signs of negative workplace culture.
2. Your Work Lacks Meaning
If you don’t find importance in what you do, it makes sense you’re dissatisfied with your working life. It’s possible that the work is too easy or feels redundant.
3. You’re Burning Out
There is such a thing as too much hustle. Do you dread Monday morning every week? Do you spend the whole weekend catching up on rest? Then burnout could be the reason you’re saying I hate my job.
Don’t hold your breath waiting on external factors like your company or boss to create your dream job. The key to finding joy in your work lies within you. Once you let go of the idea that outside factors have control over you, finding joy will come much more easily.
3 Simple Strategies to Love Your Job Again
1. Spend time with positive co-workers.
Spend time with people at work who make you laugh and happily give advice when you feel stuck. Surrounding yourself with positive people will help you maintain an upbeat perspective.
Avoid interacting with negative coworkers. If there are people at work who do nothing but gossip and complain, stay far away. These kinds of coworkers set a negative tone that can ruin the work environment.
2. Find opportunities for growth and purpose.
If your work feels unfulfilling, try seeking growth on your own. Take a course to sharpen your skills. Ask your boss for more responsibility on projects you find meaningful.
Moreover, check in with your personal values. Are there opportunities to live out and grow your personal values within your job?
Before COVID hit, I was working for Big Tech on systems that delivered packages to customers. The work required long hours and didn’t resonate with my interests.
But, once the pandemic hit, we were tasked with reusing this network to deliver equipment to frontline workers. I suddenly felt a renewed sense of meaning and purpose. For the next few months, I felt invigorated that I could make a difference in helping fight the pandemic.
So, seek out meaning in your work that resonates with your values and gives you a sense of purpose.
3. Enforce your boundaries.
Stop quietly thinking I hate my job while you work late and perform extra tasks outside the scope of your job. Speak up and let your boss know when your plate is full. Switch off “work mode” and fully disconnect from your job during personal time.
Don’t be afraid to say no when it protects your time. Preserving your personal time helps create mental boundaries that help you feel refreshed.
If you’re unhappy because your career lost momentum, take ownership of driving your career success. You may also find that stress and frustration from your personal life are spilling over into your work life. If that’s the case, try mindful habits like meditation or gratitude journaling.
Remember to find things that make you happy in your workday, no matter how small they may be. Leverage the power of your mindset and rediscover the joys of each day, even if you have to spend it at work.
