This morning, in my gratitude journal, I was thankful for many positive interactions I had this week that pushed me to keep going. Having people sending me thank you notes through Instagram and email for what I am doing and sharing is amazing. Knowing that my friend recommended my name for the training I was hired for is a blessing. Seeing the number of downloads of my podcast peaking to new records is encouraging.
We don’t get positive feedback on our life’s work every day. We shouldn’t wait for positive feedback to do what we already committed to do every day. We are professionals. We are also humans, and we will always want more, and that is a recipe for disappointment.
However, when this feedback does come in, we don’t take it for granted. We cherish it and hold it dear and keep it for the rainy days when we feel we can’t go forward. We write about it in our gratitude journals and smile about it.
When you don’t like your job that waking up in the morning becomes a burden, you might need to change your job. We spend so much of our days at work, that means you need to enjoy what you do at least half of the time.
It’s a fact, we all get tasks and bosses we don’t like. But if all your tasks feel painful, and all your interactions with your boss seem horrible, you need to seriously consider finding a new job.
Your job does not have to be your calling or the reason you were born. Even those do who find their passion in life are advised not to quit their day job to relieve themselves of the pressure of making money off their passion. At least, not until they can match their current income or exceed it. Elizabeth Gilbert was the best to talk about the difference between a job and calling. You can have both.
Finding a new job is a challenge and you need to be actively seeking new opportunities and putting yourself out there. You also need to be patient until you get that new job that excites you, where you excel and shine.
But what should you do until then?
What if changing your job is not an option at the moment, and you still hate it?
Remember your why of keeping this job: What freedoms, privileges, possessions do you currently enjoy because of your job and the money you’re making?
Remember the value you add to your workplace with the role you have. If you don’t see it, think what would happen if you are gone, will you be missed?
If you don’t think you will be missed, that means you need to step up. Create new tasks to start adding value in a way that only you, with your personality and experience, can add.
You can make those tasks the reason you start liking your job, let them be play to your strength points.
Think about the people you interact with on a daily basis, you are in each other’s lives temporarily, and for a reason. How can you interact with them in a genuine and meaningful way?
How can you make your coworkers’ lives easier, starting with your boss? Be proactive and surprise them with your thoughtful actions.