I agree it is an issue when you are not happy at work. After all, we spend a big part of our life there. On the other hand, KUDOS when you have a job, even if it is not your favorite one, because there lots of unemployed people out there that are looking for one! So you are already in a winning position! Looking at things from another angle can already give us different insights and help us change or at least challenge our thinking.
Of course, ideally we would all work in a position that fills us with pride and brings a big smile to our faces. But sometimes there are circumstances where this is just not the case yet. So how can you stay positive if you’re not in the right job, when you are actually striving for something different? I am not talking about cases where people are making your life impossible at work and staying is not an option, but rather situations where you are disappointed, maybe because you feel underestimated or simply believe you are not able to use your skills.
So what would be some ideas to deal with this situation until you find something that really fits you?
It's all about attitude
Let me tell you something right away: Your attitude matters … A LOT. In every aspect of your life. And in this situation it is essential. For years I worked in a Customer Service environment. As you can imagine, receiving complaints all day long is not the kind of atmosphere where positivism would flourish. Some people ask me: Wow, how did you manage to do this for several years without getting a burnout?
To be honest, a few weeks into the job I was not so sure I would last long. The customers would complain because obviously they only call when something is wrong – or very wrong – and some of the team members would continuously complain about the customers and about the processes and about the team mates and …well, pretty much about everything. In some moments I got sucked up in this atmosphere and felt how this negative energy started to dominate my thoughts and drain me. When I started to note that my thoughts became more and more negative, I decided I had to change something. And with this change I actually started enjoying my job! So let me tell you about some of the lessons I learnt.
Focus on the positive and give your best
Try to step away from people that paint everything black and mingle more with the optimistic folk. Being surrounded by negative energy drags you down. Try to be positive yourself and find reasons to smile.
Try to take a step back and be objective: Is it really that bad or is it simply not what you expected or had dreamed of doing? Investigate and compare it to other positions in the market: What conditions and benefits do other companies offer for a similar position? What is the work culture like? How is the work environment? Do you have a Manager that supports you and helps you grow? Do you have colleagues you feel comfortable with? Do you have the possibility to develop new skills?
Another point that helped me a lot is that I have always tried to perform in all my jobs the best way possible. Even when I worked in the production line or putting prices on clothes during school holidays, I always took my tasks seriously. So give your best. As many experts say: Do your job well and opportunities will open up. You never know who can be able to recommend you in the future.
Also, focus on what you like about the job. For example, I enjoyed helping people and took pride in finding solutions for their problems. I also liked to build a relationship with my customers and the extended team in other departments. What are the parts you like about your job?
Bring in your strengths to support the team
Another aspect I believe is important is to focus on how you can add value to the team. Maybe you are not working in your dream position, but you might be able to bring in your strengths in the wider sense. Perhaps you are really good at reporting, so you might volunteer to take over reporting tasks for the team. Or you are very detail-oriented and secure about the processes, so you could train newcomers or organize refresh trainings. Some companies even have different workstreams independent from the departments to work on broader topics, so you might even bring in your expertise in event management to organize the yearly Christmas party.
This way you can show your unique skills, get to know different people and – what is very important – feel more satisfied and valued at work.
Do not define yourself exclusively through your job title
Back then, I defined myself primarily through the “prestige” of my job title, and obviously customer service is far from being a well-recognized position. I still wonder why, given that this department continuously has one of the highest workloads, a complex work environment with difficult customers, an endless number of ever-changing processes and with continuous pressure of the sales department. But that’s another story. However, I wondered if that was really what I had studied for and whether there wasn’t something more “valuable’ out there for me. Back then we were not planning a family yet and my partner and myself were both rather workaholics, so having a career seemed like the most important thing in life.
I think this is a common mistake we make. Work seems to be the key pillar in our life, and when there is an issue (be it that we lose our job or that we are not satisfied with the work we do) we start to question our whole life. I still believe that being happy at work is important as we spend there a big part of our day, however, with the time my point of view has become broader and I do not define myself exclusively though my job anymore. There are so many other aspects that are part of our life and that define who we are, especially as Mums.
Give it time
You may not think this is possible right now, but sometimes you actually grow into loving your position. If you are not dealing with a horrible manager, get your dream job offered or have another strong reason for leaving right away, experts recommend you stay in your job for at least 2 years. This gives you time to learn, explore the different aspects of your job and network with colleagues and other departments. If afterwards you decide the job is still not the right choice, there is still time to look for something different.
Live in the present, prepare for the future
I believe I will never forget these lessons. Don’t think too much about your job title. Don’t believe you are worth less because you are not working as a lawyer, an engineer or a doctor. Should you stop growing and striving for your dream position? Of course not. But you should give your best in the position you are currently in and people will recognize and appreciate this and they will recommend you. You never know when an opportunity might come along. We are often so focused in the future that we forget to live the present.
In the end, it’s all about attitude. You can moan and say, uuuhhh, I am at the bottom of the food chain and go and make other people’s life miserable. Or you can think about the positive aspects and take pride in what you are doing.
Looking for a job with meaning? Check out my post about socio-ecological employers.
