5 Things Worth Doing if You Hate Your Job

Confucius believed that if you love your job, you will never have to work a day in your life. He may be partially right, but times change, so I don’t think those who desperately seek a job would agree with him.

Most likely people don’t get to have their ideal job, so they have to settle to anything that pays a monthly salary in order to pay their bills. To be honest, it does not matter that much if you love your job or not, it matters if you have what it takes to be efficient and do great at your work place. And then you can parlay this into something bigger.

Even if you hate your job, you can make life easier by doing these 5 things:

1) Master as many skills as possible. This will allow you to become more employable elsewhere. You will also feel a since of pride that you are not just getting paid in money, but also in knowledge. Skill accumulating is a great way to jump ship or earn a big raise. And plus learning can be fun!
2) Ask and accept projects outside of your job responsibilities and/or department. This will allow you to prove yourself to other departments and possibly earn you a new boss (and with it a new pay raise.) Additionally, you may learn you are better suited for a different line of work (or you learn you are perfectly suited at where you currently are.) The grass is not always greener, but it doesn't hurt to give it a taste.
3) Master efficiency. Try to complete all your job tasks as fast as possible to leave you open to doing what you really love. This can mean accepting freelance work, volunteering, or hobbies. The less time you are doing your work, the less you will hate it.
4) Remind yourself why you are there. You are there for the paycheck and there is nothing wrong with that. Keep thinking of the car you drive, or the house you live in, or the upcoming trip to the beach. When you are seething at your boss this fresh reminder of what that job is actually bringing you can make it seem all okay.
5) Network. Don’t tell everyone you hate your job, no one wants to hire a negative person. Just create a LinkedIn profile, attend some networking events, and go out and meet and greet. Eventually your outgoing effort can pay off in a new job offer or even just new friends. And even if your boss gets wind of it, it should give you an opportunity to express your frustrations (in a civil manner) over a schedule meeting.