I Hate My Job, What Should I do?
– I Hate My Job –
Sometimes you feel so bad and dissatisfied with your job and you probably cannot bottle them up anymore and you end up saying “I hate my job” without even realizing it. We all have felt this way about our job once or more. This article would teach you how to react to this feeling.
I Hate My Job
Every day will not be perfect. Some weeks, months, or even entire quarters will be especially difficult. However, as the person in charge of your career, you recognize when something isn’t right.
What can you do if you despise your job, company, boss, industry, or even your entire working life?
It’s time to assess where you are in your current job, whether you can improve your working situation, or if you need to look for your next career opportunity.
Below, We’re going to dive into some common reasons employees hate their jobs.
1. You’ve Been Stagnant for Some Time
Your bank or someone else will congratulate you on your work anniversary? Have you ever gotten one of those notifications and compliments and thought to yourself, “I’ve been here that long?!?”
Then you’re bombarded with a thousand other thoughts about your job and your lack of job satisfaction.
How is it possible that so much time has passed? What have I been up to these last few years?
This is the point at which you realize you’ve come to a halt—and you’re not happy about it.
How it Feels:
Stagnancy in a job can be difficult to detect at first. It’ll probably feel like doing the same thing repeatedly.
Before you know it, five years have passed and you haven’t expanded your skillset.
2. You are Uninspired and Uninterested in your Job
There are several reasons you may feel stuck at work. Let’s start with the most difficult possibility—it could be you.
If your job is simple enough, you might get by with little effort.
When no one is directly challenging you, when you have a fairly undemanding quota to meet, or when your job is overly simple, you may be completely willing to go with the flow.
On the other end of the spectrum, you may be eager for new opportunities.
If you’ve approached leadership with new ideas and expressed your willingness to learn and grow only to be met with silence or empty promises, you may have reached a plateau of stagnancy.
We’ll go over burnout in more detail later, but prolonged stagnation can lead to a specific type of burnout known as under-challenged burnout.
This is where you will be bored every day. In the long run, it can lead to a low mood and even depression.
What to Do:
We believe that your job should always challenge and excite you—at least a little.
No, we do not believe that your career should be your life’s purpose, but something that motivates you. At some level, your career should be something you are proud of.
Whatever your job title, there is always room for creativity—in any “job” or “career.” You’re stagnant if you find yourself punching in and robotically moving through your day before punching out.
Inject some creativity into your job. Are you an expert organizer? Perhaps you could reorganize your filing system.
If you aren’t inspired to try to resuscitate your current job, perhaps you can resuscitate your career by looking for opportunities that excite and motivate you.
3. Your Workplace is Toxic or Hostile
Toxic workplaces breed dissatisfaction, competition, low morale, constant stressors, negativity, sickness, high turnover, and even bullying.
Toxic workplaces, as the name implies, poison both your professional and personal lives. You searched “I hate my job,” “I hate my boss,” “I hate my coworkers,” and “I want to quit” after you searched “I hate my job.”
How it Feels:
In a nutshell, it’s dreadful. Then there’s the clincher. It doesn’t take much for a workplace to become toxic.
When a company becomes toxic, it infiltrates every crevice of the organization.
Why it’s Happening:
We’ve witnessed toxic workplaces. We’ve also heard stories about hostile workplaces.
Some organizations are toxic from the start because they are founded on greed or a “me-first-kill-or-be-killed” mentality.
Other businesses have good intentions that get pushed aside in favour of money or power. “I hate my job”
A toxic workplace can sometimes be caused by a single employee. It’s a sight to behold, and cleaning up a mess like that takes forever.
Toxicity is relentless once it has taken hold of an organization.
What to Do:
Leave the Work
4. You’re Suffering from Workplace Burnout
There is so much to do that you are constantly dazed. When was the last time you had a chance to catch up with your friends?
How it Feels:
Depending on the type of burnout, you may experience one of three distinct feelings. We’ve all probably experienced frenetic burnout.
Worn-out burnout is the type of burnout that occurs when employees are constantly overworked with no positive outcomes or recognition.
Similarly, frenetic burnout is the type of burnout that employees who work in high-pressure environments experience over time.
Why it’s Happening:
Burnout occurs when your job requires too much of you. Burnout occurs when this cycle continues and begins to deplete your personal life, relationships, and, eventually, your overall well-being.
What to Do:
Burnout may be the cause if you enjoy the function of your job if you like your boss and if you adore your coworkers. “I hate my job”
Is there a way to better balance your work and personal lives? Can you work on a flexible schedule, cut your hours, or request more help from your boss?
5. Your Confidence is Dwindling
Your confidence was skyrocketing when you first started at your job. You nailed the interview and were ready to take your career to the next level.
Fast forward three months, six months, or a year, and you suddenly feel as if you’ve run out of confidence.
Do you just suck at your job? (Of course not!)
How it Feels:
It’s a bad feeling. When your job is causing you to lose confidence, you may arrive at work every day feeling as if you’re in trouble. You may discover that your Sunday Scaries begin at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday.
Why it’s Happening:
Check out the rest of the items on this list. Because your boss only gives you negative feedback, your confidence may be dwindling.
Your confidence may lack as a result of being overworked and underappreciated.
Your confidence may be suffering because of your job taking a time and energy loan against your personal life and emotional well-being.
What to Do:
When your job is eroding your well-being, you may be working in a toxic environment. It’s easy to feel lost, hopeless, and stupid if your coworkers are rude, your boss is dismissive, and you have no direction.
That, however, is not the case. Speak with your leadership about what you can do better, how to maintain open communication, and how to collaborate most effectively.
See how it feels to be open about your needs while also listening to theirs. Be open to constructive criticism. “I hate my job”
Alternatively, your confidence might be taking a hit because you’re letting it. Yes, yep, affirmative, there she is impostor syndrome.
For someone who is never invited to the party, impostor syndrome surely intercepts every invitation. If you lack confidence because you believe you are surrounded by smart, driven people, you are in the right place.
No, seriously, you’re here for a reason—you’re smart and driven, too.
What else to Do:
Build your confidence back up if your bad workplace has taken a toll on it. Speak with your family, close friends, and loved ones.
These are your best cheerleaders, and they will help you overcome your lack of confidence by reminding you that your bad boss and crappy coworkers aren’t it.
6. There has Been an Uncomfortable Change in Leadership
This is our very generous way of saying something else, which is “I hate my boss.”
Listen, it happens. All leaders are not created equally. Sometimes, you and your manager will have personalities that simply do not mesh.
Other times? Your boss might be a jerk, full-stop.
How it Feels:
We’re using the word “hate” a little loosely here, but it’s not on purpose. It’s just that when you’re angry at your boss, you’re probably using that four-letter word (likely alongside some other choice four-letter words, as well).
In short, “hating” your boss isn’t a good feeling. You work 40+ hours per week or work alongside your boss. It can be a major stressor if you are not aligned.
When your boss’s name appears in your inbox, you roll your eyes, your heart rate increases, and your palms begin to sweat. This is not how you should live. The stress of “immensely disliking” your boss will consume you (and your work).
Why it’s Happening:
This could be happening for a number of reasons.
It’s possible that you and your boss don’t get along, that your boss communicates poorly, or that your boss is disrespectful, abusive, micromanaging, or inept.
What to Do:
Depending on the circumstances, you have a few options. If this is a relationship that can be saved, propose a 1:1 meeting with your manager.
Communicate your dissatisfaction—and come up with solutions. This is an example of managing up, in which you put in the effort to improve your collaboration with your boss.
If your boss is abusive or engaging in seriously questionable behaviour, it may be time to report the situation to human resources. If your boss is in human resources, it may be time to leave.
7. Your Work is Overlooked and Underappreciated.
Work can be demanding. Another year has passed, and it feels as if you’ve accomplished nothing—except you know that’s not the case. In fact, you’ve accomplished a great deal.
The issue is that you have received no positive feedback, recognition, or opportunities for advancement.
How it Feels:
Maybe you’re not the type of person who needs affirmation at every turn. However, if you receive no feedback or only negative feedback, your confidence reserves may begin to dwindle.
It’s a slow burn, but it’s there. This also occurs when you are constantly overworked, “given” new projects and taken advantage of.
This frequently happens to high-performing employees who can complete tasks quickly, efficiently, and without errors.
Why it’s Happening:
This is most likely a leadership issue. It is your manager’s responsibility to manage their team in good and bad times.
Along with constructive feedback, your manager should provide you with positive feedback and praise.
This could also be a cultural issue affecting the entire organization, which would be far more damaging.
This is common in high-pressure situations where there is “no time” for compliments.
What to Do:
In these circumstances, you must express your dissatisfaction. You could request an annual review to realign your job responsibilities and output.
It might also be time to ask for a raise. If your job description corresponds to a new position (with significantly more responsibilities), it’s time to ask for a raise—both in the title and in pay.
8. Your Values No Longer Align
This is a common occurrence as we advance in our careers, but it can be difficult to recognize in the moment.
Your values will evolve, and your workplace may or may not be able to meet you where you are now or in the near future.
How it Feels:
As previously stated, this is a more difficult one to identify, which is also why it is extremely deflating. When your values no longer align, the career you once loved no longer feels familiar or “right.”
Why it’s Happening:
You were ecstatic when you first started your job. When you first walked into the building three years ago, it was your “dream job.” Things, however, have changed. You’re no longer into the “work hard, play hard” mentality.
You don’t want to spend more than 80 hours a week at the office or “with the team.”
What to Do:
This is most likely a result of company culture. It might just…get worse as your career progresses in an organization whose values feel increasingly misaligned with your own.
For example, if you believe that work-life balance is much more “work” focused at your organization, it will most likely become even more so as you advance up the ladder.
Make a list of your personal values and goals at this point. Create a list of your organization’s values and demands next to that list.
If there is a chance to realign, take the necessary steps.
If you discover that your values have become completely misaligned, begin looking for opportunities within organizations that align with your current values and future goals.
Signs You Hate Your Job
So how do you know when you really, truly hate your job? Look for these signs.
1. You Have the Sunday Night Blues—Every Night of the Week
Even when you’re working at your dream job and enjoy almost everything about it, Sunday nights can be difficult.
It’s natural to feel a pang of regret as the weekend comes to an end and your Monday-morning to-do list approaches.
When those Sunday Night What-Ifs become an every-night occurrence, it’s a safe bet that your job is the source of the issue.
2. You Have a Lot of New Physical Ailments
Are you experiencing aches and pains that were not present a few months ago? Do you have trouble falling asleep? Is your appetite different now?
These are all physical manifestations of depression.
Of course, this does not mean that your job is to blame, but if everything else in your life remains the same while your job has changed, it’s worth considering whether work is the issue.
(And, in any case, it’s critical to see a doctor as soon as possible.)
3. You’re no Longer Enthused About your Job.
Every day at work doesn’t have to be a party, but if you’re never excited about your job, there’s something wrong.
You work for a variety of reasons, including providing a roof over your head, putting your skills and talents to use, and possibly helping others or accomplishing things that most people cannot.
However, if you don’t have a sense of purpose and passion for your work, you’ll burn out quickly.
4. You’re Not as Good at Your Job as You Used to Be
Perhaps you’re making minor errors that you wouldn’t normally make, or perhaps you’re less engaged with your work and thus less effective.
But if you feel like you’re not good at your job—and you used to be sure you were!—you should think about whether it’s time for a change.
5. You Spend a Lot of Time Venting About Work
A little work-related whining never hurt anyone. (As long as you’re complaining to a trusted friend, not a coworker who might one day be your boss.)
However, if you spend a lot of time complaining about your job, consider whether the good still outweighs the bad.
6. You Find It Harder to Concentrate
It’s obvious that when you’re engaged with something, it’s easier to give it your undivided attention.
Aside from that, hating your job requires a lot of energy.
If you despise your job right now, you probably don’t have much energy left for your actual responsibilities.
7. Your Vices Have Multiplied
Cookies are no longer a once-in-a-while treat. Three times a day, comfort food is served.
Cocktail hour has evolved into cocktail evening and night.
Meanwhile, you’re not getting much exercise these days, and the last time you saw a vegetable was in a public service announcement plastered on the wall near your bus stop. (And, to be honest, it made you feel pretty resentful.)
8. You Haven’t Had a Raise in a Long Time
Money isn’t everything, but it’s difficult to pay the electric bill if you don’t have it.
Aside from that, it’s difficult to feel appreciated when your pay has remained constant while your job responsibilities have increased.
Furthermore, if you don’t get regular raises, you’re actually earning less than you were a few years ago due to inflation.
9. You Don’t Have the Time or Energy for Your Outside Interests
Perhaps it’s because you’re depressed and lacks energy, or perhaps it’s because you work so much that you don’t have time to pursue hobbies or spend time with friends and family. It’s not a good sign for whatever reason.
10. You Feel Like You’re Always at Work, Even on Your Day Off
The irony of being trapped in a job you despise is that it tends to consume your every waking moment—even if you don’t have a boss who calls or emails you at 3 a.m.
Good jobs allow for true work-life balance, which means being able to disconnect from work in order to enjoy your life.
If you find yourself constantly ruminating about work—or working when you should be relaxing—it may be time to make a change.
Tips for What to Do If you Hate your Job
So, if you hate your job, your boss, your company culture, or just about everything about your job, what can you do? Here are some tips.
1. Build Connections With Co-workers
Making friends at work isn’t just about having someone to vent to, though that certainly helps. Making genuine connections with your coworkers can make work feel more meaningful and enjoyable.
It also gives you something to look forward to every day, even if you despise your job.
Invite a coworker out to lunch one day, or bring in coffee and doughnuts to start personal conversations and boost morale.
2. Identify the Problems and Make Adjustments
Consider some helpful adjustments before making any hasty decisions. Take steps to address specific issues that are causing you stress or unhappiness at work if you can identify them.
Do you have a disagreement with a coworker? Set up a time to meet in person–perhaps with a supervisor–to discuss the situation.
Don’t know what’s expected of you? Request clarification from your boss. Making positive changes where possible can make a huge difference in your overall work happiness.
3. Give Yourself Time to Adjust
If you’ve just started a new job and are already dissatisfied, it’s tempting to throw it all away and quit. But don’t get too far ahead of yourself. Getting your feet wet is sometimes all it takes to warm up to a job.
Acclimating to a new environment, learning your responsibilities, and getting to know your coworkers all have the potential to alter your opinion of the job.
4. Take Steps to Improve your Well-being Outside of Work
Being unhappy at work can have an impact on your personal life, but it can also make work a lot worse than it would be otherwise.
What we think is simply work-related annoyance is often a symptom of a larger problem. Consider what is causing your stress, anxiety, or sadness.
Talking with a friend or a therapist may help you figure out how to make positive changes at work and in your personal life.
If your problem is that your job isn’t fulfilling you, consider looking for mental satisfaction elsewhere. New friendships, a volunteer position, or simply a new hobby could fill the void left by an unsatisfying job.
5. Create New Connections
One thing you can do to be more productive is to network. Developing relationships with supervisors, coworkers, and clients may be the key to landing your next job. Networking is responsible for 60 per cent of all job searches.
Begin conversing with others and exchanging business cards. It may only take one good connection to open up new doors.
So, before you rush out the door or label your new job as awful, give it a chance.
6. Resign With Class
There comes a time when leaving a job you hate is the only remaining option.
It’s likely time to leave if:
‣ you wake up dreading work every single day
‣ you see no future or room for growth
‣ your mental and physical health is taking a hit
‣ you’ve tried everything to make it better
Rather than storming into the boss’s office and yelling “I quit,” take the time to write a resignation letter with your two weeks’ notice. Consider offering to train someone to take over your responsibilities so that you can leave with no ill will.
Remember, you may need a referral for a new job, or the new job may wish to contact your previous one for a reference. You don’t want to “burn any bridges” on your way out the door, as the saying goes. You want to leave on a positive note so that you can begin your new position with renewed vigor and a fresh perspective.
7. Take Micro-breaks Throughout the Workday
If you’re having trouble getting through the day, make time in your calendar to take advantage of more opportunities for mental and physical rest.
The good news is that your breaks don’t have to belong to be effective. Try taking a few minutes every couple of hours to focus on yourself by stretching, breathing, calling a friend, or going for a quick walk.
8. Remember Your “Why”
If you despise your job, it’s probably because of the work itself, or because of your boss or coworkers. If that’s the case, try to remember why you got into your field in the first place. “I hate my job”
When you remember what inspired you from the beginning, try to reintroduce those aspects of your job.
According to Alicia Rozycki, a Colorado-based psychologist, remembering the passions, goals, and values that drew you into your job in the first place can serve as a motivator to stay the course, even if it’s just until you find a better opportunity.
9. Reward Yourself
Having something to look forward to at the end of the day (or week) may also motivate you to push through the difficult times.
Even small incentives, such as taking your family out for dinner or ice cream on Friday nights or scheduling time to hang out with a friend, may help you stick it out (and provide you with something positive to think about when you’re fixated on the difficult parts).
10. Find What’s Causing the Problem
Examining exactly where the issue is rooted can help figure out how to address it. In my experience, this can be broken down into three main categories:
Individual — This job isn’t for me, i.e. this isn’t the path I want to take. Most of us have had to go through at least one of these, and they are frequently just a stepping stone to where you want to go next. “I hate my job”
Interpersonal — I don’t like my coworkers/boss, i.e. I don’t fit in here. “You don’t have to like them; all you have to do is get along with them.”
Of course, there are exceptions, such as harassment, feeling purposefully excluded, and racist or sexist microaggressions, but if you simply don’t feel like your coworkers are Your People, that’s completely normal. “I hate my job”
The cast of characters at any given job is not set in stone, and dynamics will shift over time.
If you truly don’t think it’s the right fit for you, remain polite and professional and move on with a better idea of the type of environment you want.
Structural — The way things are done here sucks, i.e. the pay, benefits, etc. are terrible. This is by far the most difficult category I’ve encountered, owing to how difficult it is to change.
It can feel impossible to effect change unless you are in a senior position and there is no union or effective HR department to back you up.
At the end of the day, no job is worth your mental health, and in many cases, walking away is the best way to protect yourself.
There is no one-size-fits-all solution to managing a job you despise. Each situation is distinct.
It’s difficult to maintain a positive attitude at work, but there are steps you can take to improve your working life and overall well-being. If you’re still unhappy and have other options, it might be time to look for a new job.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Should I quit if I feel I’m not good enough for my job?
No. Quitting is not a decision or an action. It comes on its own. One should analyze in various ways on the present situation of the job.
2. What should I do if I don’t like my job but can’t quit?
Self-Reflect. Take a hard look at yourself.
Make a Plan. Being in a job you hate can feel paralyzing.
Work Your Plan. Once you have your plan together, it’s possible you could feel overwhelmed.
Don’t Check Out of the Job You Have
Change How You Look at Your Job
3. Is a two-week notice required if you really hate the job?
For many U.S. employees, the answer is, “Yes.” But that doesn’t mean that it’s wise to leave in a hurry.
Under normal circumstances, it’s best to give the standard notice—but there may be no legal reason you can’t quit on the spot.
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CSN Team.
