5 Ways to Stop Hating Your Job – Without Quitting

Published November 10, 2015 | 4 min read

Do you hate your job?

If you do, you aren’t alone.

According to several studies, about 60 percent of all workers are unhappy with their jobs and want to quit.

The reasons for unhappy workers are wide-ranging, from dissatisfaction with the work itself to poor management, unpleasant co-workers, low pay, and more.

5 Ways to Stop Hating Your Job — Without Quitting

On the surface, the solution to being miserable on the job appears simple: Just quit.

Even if we have fantasized about walking out in a blaze of glory, though, for most people, quitting simply isn’t an option.

After all, bills don’t pay themselves, and it’s rarely a good idea to leave one job without having another lined up, and it’s not always easy to find new employment.

So does that mean you’re doomed to a job you hate forever?

No.

In fact, you can turn around even the worst job, and actually grow to enjoy your work again — even if you’re convinced that your boss is evil personified and if you have to fill out one more report, you might staple your own head to the desk.

1. Make an Exit Plan

So maybe you can’t quit your job today, but that doesn’t mean that you won’t ever be able to leave.

If you begin developing an exit plan, you’ll be prepared to jump on new opportunities when they present themselves.

Think about what you want to do with your life, and what it will take to get there.

For example, if you want to become a social worker, what steps can you take now to reach that goal?

Going back to school for a master’s, finding places where you can volunteer, and setting a deadline for leaving your current position can all reinvigorate you and give you a purpose, as well as create a light at the end of the tunnel that allows you to hate the day-to-day grind a little less.

2. Practice Energy Management

Human nature is to remember the negative — and focus on it.

However, constantly focusing on how much you hate your job sucks the energy out of you.

Complaining to and with your co-workers, friend, and family about the miseries of your workplace might feel like helpful venting, but if it’s all you do, it’s making things worse.

Instead, identify the positive aspects of your job, and choose to focus on them.

If your co-workers are Negative Nancy’s, tune them out and try to change the conversation.

Build relationships with motivating and positive people, and your energy will return — and you will eventually feel better about your job.

3. Build a Better Life Outside of Work

Work is a big part of your life, but it shouldn’t be your whole life.

Your career should not define you.

To not be consumed by your work — and your unhappiness there — focus on building a fulfilling and happy existence outside of the office.

Take up a hobby, make time for friends and family, book a long-delayed vacation, anything that gives you something to look forward to outside of work, and helps make the drudgery worthwhile.

4. Establish Boundaries

One common reason for workplace unhappiness is feeling unappreciated due to a failure to establish boundaries; that is, unhappy workers often work long hours for little return, fail to delegate tasks, or even take on their co-worker’s responsibilities without feeling appreciated for their efforts.

By establishing boundaries — you will leave the office at 5 p.m., you will delegate tasks when appropriate, you will say no to requests — you’ll feel more in control of your time, and less like you’re giving more than you receive.

That’s not to say that you won’t be a team player and pitch in when needed, but don’t be a doormat.