Have you been feeling disconnected from your job recently? Maybe it’s the buildup of resentment, boredom, anger, exhaustion, or stress.
Your job–like any relationship–can put you through a variety of experiences and emotions that leave you feeling a little out of touch. It’s really no surprise individuals are falling out of love with their jobs left and right–it’s been reported most workers spend the vast majority of their day on the job.
Instead of giving up altogether, attempt to rekindle your love for one of the most important relationships in your life: your job.
1. Get to the bottom of your distaste. Getting to the heart of the your issues with your employment situation is the first step to figuring out what needs to change. Whether the change is something you can do or if it’s a solution your employer can potentially provide, it’s your duty to ensure your continued enjoyment.
2. Look to the past and future. Do you remember what you originally enjoyed so much about your current position? It’s easy to get hung up on your current bout of unhappiness and forget your original motivations for your job. Use your past to motivate where you head in your future. For example, if you took the position because it provided you with a change for continued professional development, are you still taking advantage of this opportunity? Discover what will ensure your future contentment.
3. Take steps toward falling in–or back in–love. Sometimes even dream jobs can turn into nightmares given certain predicaments. If you’re working in a position you once valued deeply, you owe it to yourself, your employer, and the future of your career to once again find your happiness. Don’t use quitting as the immediate solution to a potentially fixable problem.
4. Spend some time away to gain an appreciation. If you’re spending too much time at work, you’re probably burned out. Similar to other relationships, spending too much time with someone can leave you feeling less appreciative. Use this feeling as an excuse to plan a vacation–smart employers understand the importance of time off.
5. Manage your stress levels. Stress often goes hand-in-hand with employment. If you’re not actively attempting to manage your stress, it’s likely to consume you. Take the time to learn what triggers your stress and plan to battle against it. The less stress you’re under, the more likely you are to feel content in your current position.
Guest Expert:
Heather R. Huhman is a career expert, experienced hiring manager, and founder & president of Come Recommended, a content marketing and digital PR consultancy for job search and human resources technologies. She is also the instructor of Find Me A Job: How To Score A Job Before Your Friends, author of Lies, Damned Lies & Internships (2011) and #ENTRYLEVELtweet: Taking Your Career from Classroom to Cubicle (2010), and writes career and recruiting advice for numerous outlets.
