We spend over one-third of our lives at work, so it’s no surprise that being unhappy in your job can significantly impact your quality of life and mental health.
While there are always cases where the circumstances are just unbearable, and you’ll need to remove yourself from a toxic environment, many people have the ability to take their work life into their own hands and make a change.
If you’re tired of being unhappy, here are five things you can do to start feeling better.
Focus on the Positives
This might sound like a generic and unhelpful piece of advice, but sometimes it really does help to reframe how you think about your position in life.
Instead of focusing on the long hours you work, or that annoying colleague that rains on your parade every morning, turn your attention to the positive aspects of your job. Perhaps you’re grateful for your office mates, the fact that you earn enough to provide for yourself and your family, that you have the opportunity to work remotely when you need to, or that you get to make a meaningful impact in some way through your work.
Address Issues Proactively
When you’re actively dealing with problems at work, it can be hard to be positive. Minor conflicts, serious workplace disputes, and issues that prevent you from being able to work effectively can all significantly impact your job satisfaction.
This is why it’s important to take things into your own hands whenever possible. Address issues and take steps to have them resolved soon, so that you feel more capable of coping with your job, and excited to get up in the mornings.
Embrace a Growth Mindset
If you feel stuck in your job and like you’re going nowhere slowly, it can be pretty demotivating. If you want to overcome this, the first thing you need to do is embrace a growth mindset – a new and strong belief that you can improve yourself and your abilities.
Even if it feels like your progress at work is slow and that you’ve been eyeing a promotion for years now to no avail – remember that all the hard work you’re putting in is not for nothing!
Seek Out Meaningful Projects
A big part of job fulfillment is feeling like you’re doing something meaningful and making a difference. Sometimes, you need to seek this feeling out for yourself!
If you have ideas for projects and tasks that you feel would make a positive impact, reach out for these and discuss them with your employer. This will also show that you take initiative and have a great influence on how you are perceived in the workplace.
Cultivate a Strong Support Network
Being able to work with people we actually get along with really lends itself to the feeling of not dreading going into the office every morning. Make an effort to build and nurture strong relationships with your colleagues and do your best to connect with someone at work.
You’ll enjoy your days more, have people to connect with and vent to, and generally aid in fostering a more positive company culture that everyone can benefit from.
