What To Do If You Hate Your Job
I was in a coffee shop recently and overheard two employees conversing. One sighed and said to the other, “I can’t wait for the weekend to get here. Three whole days off!”
It was Tuesday.
“Instead of wondering where your next vacation is, maybe you ought to set up a life you don’t need to escape from.” – Seth Godin
It saddens me that there are so many people in the world working jobs they hate, always waiting for the weekend. We spend a huge chunk of our waking hours working, and so methinks it’s a good idea to be doing work that you love. Or, at the very least, work that doesn’t make you want to slash your wrists.
But it’s easy to get stuck in a shit job, to feel like you have little choice but to stay there and endure the misery. Hopefully this post will convince you otherwise.
You have four options
If you hate your job, the first thing you need to realize is that you have options.
Really, you do. Four of them:
- Do nothing and continue to hate your job.
- Lie to yourself and pretend everything is peachy.
- Take action to make the job more enjoyable.
- Quit.
I suggest you pass on option one. Not only will it lead to indefinite unhappiness (and often stress), but it makes you a coward as well. Option two is also pretty lame. With that you’re just ignoring the problem, closing your eyes and sticking your fingers in your ears. It might work for a while, but eventually you’ll crack.
The last two options are pretty good.
Option three is to shake things up from the inside. You can have an honest and frank conversation with your boss about what you feel needs to change in order for you to be happy working there. Then you can get busy making those changes happen, being a part of the solution. A different approach and a little moxie might be all that’s standing between you and a happy work life.
But let’s say you can’t affect any kind of positive change in your current job. That leaves you with option four…
Quitting smart
I recommend having an escape plan. Quitting on a whim might be right for some people, but you give yourself a much better chance of landing on your feet if you think ahead and get a few wheels turning before jumping ship.
First thing: Give yourself a deadline for calling it quits. This will make each remaining day at your current job a little easier. You can swallow your pride and get some kick-ass work done because you’ll know where the finish line is. It also forces you to figure out your next steps.
Second: Start getting your finances in order. Try to save up enough money so you can go an entire year without any income. This goes hand in hand with slashing your expenses. You can live on very little money once you know your priorities. And your main priority should be to not spend 2000 hours a year working a job you hate.
Next: Work harder. Work harder at that current job you hate, because you can’t just magically flip a switch and pick up good work habits when you finally find a job you love. Birth those habits right now, where you are. You also need to work harder on yourself, but let’s talk about that under a new heading…
Finding work you love
Regardless of whether you want to become self-employed or remain an employee, you’re going to have to hustle. Big time.
Spend all your free time building up your skillset. Get a web presence and work at becoming renowned for your expertise. You’ll be able to leverage this later, when you really need to attract clients or employers.
If you don’t yet consider yourself an expert at anything, figure out what you want to be good at and then dive right in. Embrace the suck. Keep showing up every day and experiment like crazy. Take what works and throw out the rest. You’ll get there eventually.
And remember: expertise is relative. You don’t have to become the best in the world overnight. You just need to know enough to help others who know less than you.
If you’re looking to land a new job, don’t just send out a hundred resumes and hope someone takes a bite. That’s probably how you ended up in your current shit job.
Instead, get specific about who you want to work for. Learn as much as you can about them. Learn what problems they have and figure out how you can be the solution. No worries if they’re not hiring. Prove your worth and they’ll make room for you. Smart companies hire great people, because they know that people are their most valuable asset.
Finally, start networking like crazy. I know some folks want to be covert about looking for a new job, worried that they might piss off their current employer. I guess you have to suss that out for yourself, if you really need the money and can’t risk losing the steady income just yet. But if you can put the word out there, all the better. The more people you have in the know about your search and aware of your skills, the easier it will be to find work you love.
If all else fails…
I found myself stuck in a pretty shit job in Ireland seven years ago. I wasn’t much of a go-getter and I didn’t have much in the way of marketable skills. So what did I do? I quit my job and found another. The new gig wasn’t any better. In fact, the pay was less and the boredom was more. But there was one key difference: I had moved to a foreign country.
In my experience, getting away really shakes up your worldview and helps you figure out what to do with your life. So, if all else fails, go abroad. Save up enough for a plane ticket and secure a job, any job, even if it means taking a few steps down the career ladder.
Had I not packed my bag seven years ago and wandered off to a foreign country, there’s a good chance I’d still be working a job I hate. Instead, I love what I do, and you’ll never find me wishing for the weekend on a Tuesday.
…
Have you ever worked a job you hate? What did you do about it?
I took a fifth option, I got sacked. Three times.
Ah, secret option number five! I guess that’s inevitable if you hate your job and let it show too much. Hope you’ve managed to find more enjoyable work since.
I can honestly say that I hate my job. It was better back when I started and I was working in the role I applied for: development. But my current project is past the development phase, so it’s all meetings, playing hide-and-seek with data, and explaining to business partners why their idea sucks. The project is nearly over and I’ll be back in development again, but the cycle will then repeat itself. And again. And again.
But, I have an escape plan.
Niall, I know you’ve read parts of my blog, so you know I’m learning Japanese. I was already planning to move to Japan and teach English, but was going to wait for two more years so I could see my two siblings graduate high school. After talking with them, I’m aiming for getting to Japan when they start the new school year in April. I have to move fast to be qualified and get hired, but I want it very badly and am willing to put in the time and effort. I eventually want to open up my own English school in Japan.
Will I make it? Time will tell. But this is the first time in a LONG time that I’ve felt this much motivation.
Love it, Matt. I’m pretty sure you’ll make it. Sounds like you’re willing to take all the necessary action, as evidenced by your fast progress learning Japanese. Really looking forward to following along and seeing you reach your goal. Let me know if I can help in any way.
I can’t say I hate my job ) but I don’t like to work at all. I would definitely prefer be a princess and spend all my time in charity and hobbies ) however I like my hobbies, and I definitely don’t want to make them my profession ) and for my hobbies I need money ) and to have money – I have to work! Or take money from my spouse, but I’m sure it’s not the best idea. Money is freedom ) and unfortunately we have to pay for everything in our life. Work – is not so much for freedom )
I always have the same situation – I don’t like to work, but I like people, results, salary, holidays (yes, because if you have holidays all year round you don’t feel them) .
I’m expert. I like what I do ) I’m good in it. I don’t like to do it on regular basis.
Thanks for the comment, Tatiana. I’m glad you like your job.
And yes, I agree that when you work for yourself you never really have holidays. But the flip side is that you never feel like you’re trapped either. I’m working longer and harder now that I ever did as an employee, but with it comes unprecedented feelings of fulfillment and empowerment. It’s a trade off I’m happy to make
Also, I get that you’d be wary about making money from your hobbies, but to me that’s better than working at something your not passionate about just to make ends meet. I’m learning that I can love what I do and make good money from it at the same time. It’s taking a while for me to get there, but getting there I am
I can’t say I like it… Sometimes yes, but sometimes hate ) I mean, it happens, when you hate not your job, just to work! Because you re lazy ) for example, as I am!
Sometimes it’s easier to motivate yourself, cause if I don’t like to work, so I won’t be able to start my own business )
But it’s wonderful you re so hardworking! Sure your business will work very very good ) good luck again!
I fully support options 3 & 4, and I write a lot about making the most of the job you have on my blog. So much of how I experience my life depends upon my attitude and I choose to make the best of what I have.
While I do want everyone to have a job they love, I also know that no job is perfect and even in my favorite jobs I’ve had periods of major stress and dissatisfaction.
The perfect job doesn’t exist, and so I’m generally content to make the most of the job I have while taking positive steps to pursue the career of my dreams. I am also aware that even the career of my dreams will come with ups and downs, so continuing to exercise the right attitude is a must in my happiness.
I wrote about this topic specifically here: “It’s your career- love what you do!” http://www.liveandlovework.com/2011/07/29/its-your-career-love-what-you-do/
Thanks so much for the comment, Chrysta, and for your great advice in that article.
“While I do want everyone to have a job they love, I also know that no job is perfect and even in my favorite jobs I’ve had periods of major stress and dissatisfaction.”
I agree with that completely. I’m much happier working for myself these days, but it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. I’m reminded of something Danielle LaPorte said at the World Domination Summit: “Too many newly self-employed people are under the mistaken impression that they should only be doing work that they love.”
That’s exactly why I urge people to work on themselves before jumping ship. If your work ethic sucks right now, a new job isn’t going to magically fix it.
Cheers!
I made the jump from corporate to non-profit about two years ago, and have never been happier, despite the big pay cut. I didn’t hate my corporate job, but it just didn’t feel right to me anymore. My passions were elsewhere, which is now what I am involved in every day. I still have work stress, but I have no regrets– I am deeply committed to the organization I work for now.
There is a very practical book I strongly recommend to those contemplating a change- it’s called Escape From Corporate America, by Pamela Skillings. And yes, I think her approach would be helpful to those on the other side of the Pond too
Thanks, Sarah. I like the sound of that book. I hear Escape from Cubicle Nation by Pam Slim is very good, too.
Glad you’re loving your work these days. Nothing like it
I once had a job I really dislike and I swear I did everything to make it all better. I’m a positive guy so seeing that it really isn’t suited for me, I reviewed my contract and then decided to resign. It was one of the best decisions I made.
Good stuff, Earvin. Glad it worked out well for you.
Just checked out your blog, btw. Rooting for you to make it as a diplomat
Niall, tomorrow I will be posting a nice little article addressing what I am doing to unchain myself from a job I won’t be staying at long-term. In the meantime, I’ve told my boss I’m burned out and that I will be taking a month off in January to backpack through Guatemala. I haven’t set a deadline for my job departure just yet, but I feel the way I’m conducting myself is the most responsible and logical way to start a new life. I never want to work for anyone else ever again!
Way to take action, Erin. Looking forward to reading that article.
One of my BIGGEST pet peeves is hearing people say, ‘UGH is it Friday, yet?’
My response is always, ‘Stop wishing your life away. When you’re on your deathbed I doubt you’ll be wishing to fast-forward.’
They hate it. They hate it because I have clearly illustrated what they’ve been trying to ignore – they are wasting their lives.
It’s also true that I hate my job. I’ve known this for a while and I’ve been building myself a vehicle to make an exit but at this point I still have to go into that damned office every day. For a while I thought that changing jobs would be better – but you’re right – changing jobs will only *seem better* for a short time until I realize that another job isn’t what I want.
So for now I will keep the daily grind – fortunately I’m pretty good at the job so I can do a lot of networking and writing while I’m at my desk – and here’s hoping for liberation some time soon!
Keep working at it, Tim. It’s great that you see the opportunities within your current job (networking, time to write, etc.). I’ve had jobs in the past that I really didn’t take advantage of.
Be careful not to sit back and hope too much for liberation though. Nothing like a deadline to help that happen
Hey Niall! So a couple weeks ago I decided to tell work that I will be taking a cut in hours, in order to allow more time for other projects. What happens today…they offer me Full time, with pay increase…doing something more stressful than I’m already doing now. I politely declined. My mom was kinda pissed, but she will get over it. I am happy I could say no.
Rock on, Justine. Waaaaaay too many people would have taken that offer, even if they knew it would make them miserable. Wishing you all the best with your other projects. Let me know if I can help in any way.
My boyfriend is in this position, and has been for a long time. We’ve had many conversations on change, motivation, finding a new job, freelancing, financial security, self-confidence and so forth, but not much is changing. His thought cycle goes a bit like this: “to search for another job, you have to know what it is you want to do instead, otherwise you’ll search for anything, anywhere. And I don’t know what I want to do yet, so I can’t search for another job until I find out.” It drives me crazy. I know it’s hard to take risks and quit, but moving upwards (i.e. finding a job that’s slightly better) would still give him financial security and a little more happiness. I’ve started to think it’s better if he’d go with your option 3 and improve things from the inside, since the likelihood of quitting remains very low.
In other words, timely post. Quitting takes courage and confidence that many of us lack. But there needs to be some kind of change, even if it’s small, to carve a road towards improvement if you hate your job. I hated my job, quit and started my own company and I’d never want to go back to where I came from!
Thanks for the comment, Esther. I think the biggest thing for some people is the uncertainty of change. At least when you’re working a job that you hate you pretty much know what to expect every day. Jumping ship or trying to instigate change from within means pushing out of your comfort zone. Can be quite scary.
For me though, it’s absolutely worth it. Jumping into the unknown always seems to work out pretty well for me, or at least somehow leave me better off than I was previously.
Great post, Niall.
Societal pressure plays a huge role in the jobs we have,the world has seemed to do a very good job of convincing us that having a flash car in the driveway and a luxury house as being the modern definition of success.
Through out our whole lives we are conditioned and brain washed into believing we can have that celebrity lifestyle we,at this stage are subjected to involuntary be means of media and advertising.
We are brought up with the demand that we must have respectable jobs such as doctors and lawyers but shamed if we are to say we wish to be an artist,a writer or a musician.
This ties in closely with your previous post.
There is a carefully constructed trap in today’s world that explicitly plays off our vulnerably and desires to be socially accepted. This incorporates selling us the idea that I mentioned before that someday we too can have the homes,the clothes,the cars etc that we see portrayed in the media. This ruthless conditioning feeds off our deepest needs to feel like we are worth something,that we are important,special,like we belong.
In most cases the only way people can afford this lifestyle is to achieve it through debt in the shape of huge mortgages,personal loans,credit cards and cars on hire purchase. What this does is imprison people into the mind set that now we have to work,we have to keep on working those jobs we hate just to pay our bills effectively rendering us modern day slaves to corporatocracy.
Thankfully a lot are waking up to this truth but sadly not enough….
Travel I found to be a massively awaking experience,especially in third world countries you see many many people who commonly live on less than $2 a day live simple lives but happy ones.
Although they many not have very much in the realm of personal possessions and assets,what they do have is of so much more value. Im talking about that deep sense of community,content and gratitude that all the mastercards in the world couldn’t buy. That in my opinion is what I consider true wealth.
Travel also teaches us just how much stuff we can live without and still be very happy. I think a lot of people fear that loss of security and familiarity so they stick with the jobs they hate and passify themselves with excuses not to make a change in their lives.
The above things are in essence easier said than done,this is where we learn to be courageous.
In today’s economic environment a lot will just say “well a jobs a job” and that’s acceptable to a certain degree especially if you have those in your life that are financially dependant on you. But that shouldnt be the be all and end all and provide you with an excuse to just submit to unfulfilment and depression. Instead look at ways you can invest your spare time and resources into a greater goal,may that be of self employment or a new career?
Times of hardship can really show us our true colours and really provide us with priceless opportunities to grow and develop. Sometimes a disruption in the rabblement of a societal system we have been forced to accept can inspire us to invision one we wish for.
Do not fear the unknown but rather embrace it.
Cheers
Love it, Niall. Cheers for sharing. That last bit really is the key, isn’t it? If you can learn to roll with uncertainty, the world is your oyster, never afraid to shake things up and try something new. As you noted, travel definitely helps with that.
Having just been made redundant, this post is really well timed
Well written and I think you have it down perfectly with the options Niall. Going to put all of my time and energy into full time composition now – looking forward to it a lot!
Emmett
No doubt that you’ll be a rockstar with the composition stuff, Emmertt. You’ve set yourself up nicely and you’re in a much better position than all your former colleagues who were counting on that single source of income.
Cheers!
I’m currently doing #4 and #5. I totally agree with you about #4, by the way. I think there is this problem people get into by seeing the negative in a situation (like a job). Quitting and going to a new one doesn’t necessarily change those problems. Often the main issues in having a crap job originate with our own attitudes. I noticed that when I took a more proactive approach to my job and my life, I enjoyed it more and I had much less conflicts. I still use the off time to plan going into business for myself and I’m now steadily workingto that goal…but I know I won’t get there unless I take a positve point of view.
It’s kind of like that new age saying “Change your mind and change your world”
BTW, I love that you stopped to video tape the cat!! I was sitting on the bus this morning watching your video and just laughing about it….laughed so hard it started a conversation with someone next to me about blogging and living a life well lived.
I meant #3 and #4 there…HA! always did have problem with numbers!!
Don’t you just love friendly cats? I’m more of a dog person, but I love cats who dig a good rub, like the one in the video. Pretty cool too that that little incident got you talking with a stranger
Oh, and way to be proactive with the job stuff, Christina. Thanks for the comment!
Niall Maxwell hit the nail square on the head. I worked for years at different jobs I didn’t like, trying with all my might to have the American Dream. But all I ended up with were divorces and debt. When I got laid off from my last job, I was burnt out with the whole thing. After some time staying with my sister, I finally got my courage up to do something I had always wanted to do. Hitchhike and see the country.
If you think that you get a lot of grief over a decision like that when your in your twenties, try it at age 51. I heard every horror story and excuse for this being an insane idea. I was running away from life’s responsibilities, etc. But as far as I can make out, it wasn’t life that was placing these unnatural burdens upon me, but my idea of what others and society considered correct. They were wrong. I am so much more content with my lot. As i sold off or gave away a lifetimes worth of self (possessions) I became happier and more at ease. Just the opposite of what you would think should be the case.
It took a lot of courage. But life showed me that it was my friend, and it saw to it that I was taken care of on the road. I will not go back to that other way of living, for no amount of money. I am saving for my round the world travel adventure. I will not need a fortune. Life is good, and it is my friend. I will be okay. I have found new friends on the road and on the Internet such as you, oh happy man ND.
My wish is that we will cross paths on the road of our destinies, share a cold beer and good conversation. What more can one ask for in this life?
Michael
Michael, that’s absolutely beautiful. I can only imagine the courage required to make a change like that at 51. You’re an inspiration, Sir. Please do keep in touch. I’d be delighted to meet you on the road and buy you a cold one.
I know a lot of people who can relate to this post. Lucky for me though, my previous employers were nice to me and i really loved my job. Travel took over that’s why i decided to quit my day job. It’s easy to stay safe, but if you end up hating your job, it won’t do you good emotionally and mentally. Will share this one. Thanks for the insights!
Thanks for the comment, Mica! Looks like you’ve been having some great adventures, was just checking out your blogs. Keep living your best life
I quit my previous job when i got to a point where i didn’t want to get up from my bed and go to the office. Now i work more hours and earn less money but i am much more happier and productive. Peace of mind is priceless and few euros more does not worth sacrificing it.
Absolutely, man. Any extra payment is just not worth it. I’m having a blast this year while spending less than half of what I earned in 2010, and working a lot more as well!
Thanks for the comment!
I read this post yesterday after my worst day at work in a long time. It was exactly what I needed to read so thanks for that. I’m going all out for option 4 and feel excited just thinking about my escape plan
I’m hugely excited for you, Caroline. Can’t wait to see where this journey takes you
PLEASE HAVE A CAT IN EVERY VIDEO.
LOL. I’ll try!
Hi Niall,
Don’t know if you have ever heard of the Human Design System? It is like a user manual on yourself based on different area’s such as astrology, i-tjing etc.. Here is a link to learn more if you are interested. http://www.humandesign-uk.com/analysts/analysts.html
I myself have had a reading and it turns out, doing nothing, is the right strategy for me as a manifesting generator. I have always been the one to say that if you don’t like something, do something about it. Now I’m not so sure anymore, because in the past, the active “doing”, hasn’t brought the right thing for me either.
It is a general belief in society that you must take action if you are not happy with where you are at. As you say so yourself in your post you’re then thought of as a coward if you don’t. I have tried the strategy of “doing” numerous times and it hasn’t been succesfull for me.
After the reading I understood why. Now I try to train myself in being relaxed but also alert to make sure I don’t miss out on any chances passing by. It doesn’t mean I do totally nothing. I am still working and I do the things I like to do. But not with the intention of getting a result out of it.
This is very hard for me to do, because I’m used to doing it the way you describe in your post. Complicating factor is that I got stuck with an illness as well, making it all a little bit more difficult to do just anything.
I guess I just have to be patient and trust that it all will be ok.
Good luck to you on your journey!
Thanks for sharing that, Indira. I love hearing different perspectives, and this certainly makes me think.
I took option 4 last week after YEARS of being unhappy. I am going freelance once my long notice period is up. In the last few months, I have put a plan in place. I’ve worked out exactly what I need to do in terms of paperwork to set up on my own as well as how much money I will need to pay the bills going forward (I am not a big spender anyway although I do have a small family). But none of this makes me as anxious as going to work used to do.
If you are taking option 4, before you hand in your notice write down the reasons that you are leaving. I wish I did that because when they came back with a counteroffer I almost took it. Panic set in and I thought to myself that I was making a big mistake, how will we pay the bills, what will my mother say! It didn’t help that my boss said almost the same thing as if there was no other gig in town. Anyway, saneness prevailed and I didn’t accept the counteroffer.
I was meeting a friend for lunch the other day and was walking through my local town when I felt something very strange. It took me a while to figure it out. I was HAPPY! And still am. And it feels great!
Mona, you legend! Love that comment. Great advice about writing down the reasons for your decision. It can be so easy to backtrack and second-guess ourselves in the heat of the moment.
Here’s to your continued happiness
Thank you Niall. I’ve never been called a legend before
Niall,
Great post and video. I’m not in a job I hate, but I’m not in a job I love either and I totally agree with your ethos that you spend most of your waking life working so you may as well enjoy it.
To that end, I’ve decided I don’t like working in the sector I work in presently, and while I feel fortunate to hold a prominent position in a trade I was trained in, in tricky economic circumstances, I’m working towards and exit.
I worked hard to get the job I have at the moment, but I’m going to work even harder to get a similar title elsewhere (in the same medium, but a different sector). I like my job but personally, I find it’s morally reprehensible and it’s time to move on, so I can live with myself. There’s more to life than money.
Thanks for working hard and building your followers confidence, you’re a shining light for us all to follow.
Geniune love
Christopher xo
Thanks, Christopher. Wishing you all the best on the transition.
Great post Niall! life is to short to always wish you were somewhere else! To relate this to the other post about winning to lottery.. I feel that I have won the lottery after quitting my job and working full time with my design business! It is sooo wonderful, to get to work with my passion that is creative work, designing, sketching, drinking tea and thinking about business strategies..I truly love my life like it is right now. All those hours after my daytime job and during the weekends, planning and trying out different business ideas to be able to be independent, I am so thankful to myself to have had the discipline to actually take action, day after day, even if it was something small..constantly moving in the direction of my goal. Thank you for inspiring people to live their best life, it is such an honorable thing to do!!
Thanks, Ann! So glad the transition is going well for you. Although I must say, I had a sneaky suspicion that you’d do just fine without a 9-to-5
Hi Niall your blog is great and has really lifted my spirit. I quit a job last year because i hated it and started a new job in Jan this year which i hate after just four months!! Looks like i am making the same mistake over and over and i feel that i might have actually stop listening to myself. Currently it is a low paying job with high pressure.
I am going to try option 3 and try to make changes in my current role rather them just quit again.
Hey Liam. Thanks for the comment. Hope option 3 works out well for you. All the best!