So, you’re unhappy at work.
“But,” you think, “isn’t that normal?”
When you’re stuck in an unsatisfying career, it’s easy to believe that’s the typical state. After all, work is work, right? It’s not supposed to be pleasant.
Shocking as it sounds, most people are pretty happy at work. According to the Society for Human Resource Management, 88 percent of U.S. employees reported overall satisfaction with their job in 2016, which is the highest level over the last decade.
Depending on your circumstances, this statistic might be rather disappointing. If so many people are happy at work, why aren’t you? More importantly, what can you do to improve the situation?
For those who want to join the growing number of happy workers, consider the following ideas.
[See: 10 Reasons to Quit Your Job Already.]
Identify the Problem
The easy answer to your problem is to get a new job. But this advice misses the point. Right now, you probably don’t even know what the real problem is. There are all kinds of reasons for unhappiness at work. To truly fix the situation, you need to first understand all the contributing factors. For some people, the environment is all wrong. Maybe you’re better suited for a position that allows you to work outside the office, but you’re stuck in a typical desk job.
For others, the work itself is the issue. Maybe it’s too challenging or not challenging enough. Maybe it lacks meaning and purpose. Perhaps you’re just not mentally engaged in what you’re doing. Still other people have problems with the social aspects of the job. When you struggle with co-workers, clients or superiors, your overall enjoyment of work is sure to plummet.
Maybe it’s the paycheck, the schedule, your boss, the organizational culture and mission or any number of other things. The possible reasons for dissatisfaction at work are practically infinite, and the problem usually has a combination of causes.
Before you simply jump into a job search, you need to get clear on exactly what’s not working. Otherwise, your chances of landing in another bad situation are exponentially higher. All too often, unhappiness leads to impulsive decisions and, before you know it, you can end up in a vicious cycle of job hopping.
Don’t make any rash moves! Take the time to really evaluate your current situation and figure out why it’s making you unhappy.
[See: Tips for Surviving a Career Transition.]
Visualize the Alternative
Once you understand what’s causing your dissatisfaction right now, it’s time to create a vision for the future. What does work “happiness” look like for you? What are the specific requirements you need to be fulfilled by your job?
Without this concept, it’s easy to get swayed by the next marginally exciting position to come along. If you don’t have a clear destination in mind, anything will look better than your current position.
However, the goal should be to make the right move — not just any move. You don’t want to take a position that fixes one problem but creates five more. You don’t want to settle for something that is right in a few aspects but wrong in several critical ones.
List exactly what you want in all areas, including compensation, physical and social environment, organizational culture, work tasks and more. Remember that creating your vision means knowing what you want as well as what you don’t want. It’s not enough to simply run away from the bad stuff; you want to run toward the good stuff.
Create Your Plan
Finally, create a plan of attack. When you have a clear target in mind for your next career move, it’s time to launch your job search. Write a resume that’s customized for your ideal role. Activate your network and begin preparing for interviews.
As you search, do your best to manage anxiety. Don’t get in a rush, but do commit time to the process. Remember that patience will pay off.
Opportunities are plentiful, but be discerning. You have a strict list of requirements you’re seeking. While it’s not likely that you’ll achieve absolutely everything on that list, you should only make sacrifices after carefully considering the trade-offs.
[See: 25 Best Jobs That Don’t Require a College Degree.]
In the Meantime …
As you go through this exercise, you still have to go to work each day. So why not look for ways to improve the situation while you’re there?
Look for things you do like about your job — even if they’re few and far between. Focus on those aspects and find ways to enhance them. Do more of the work you like, attempt to improve your relationships and make other adjustments where you can.
Heck, you may even find that your current position isn’t as bad as you thought. Maybe there are opportunities to find happiness where you are. Perhaps a role change or a new team will make all the difference. Keep an open mind as you explore; you never know what you’ll discover.
Finally, it’s critically important that you understand this: You deserve to be happy at work. It is possible, but it takes a conscious effort. Too many people settle for work they don’t enjoy. Sure, everyone has their off days, but by and large, most people can find a career path that brings them a sense of purpose and fulfillment.
Unhappiness at work can negatively impact all areas of life. You don’t have to just accept that. Take action today and good things will follow.
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What to Do When You’re Unhappy at Work originally appeared on usnews.com
