Seven Signs That You Hate Your Job
I get asked A LOT about job satisfaction, the ideal job, finding purpose in a career and related questions. I wrote a previous blog post ‘Focus Pocus’ that begins to address this topic, starting with disengagement. Today we’ll expand on that conversation and outline seven signs that you hate your job.
In no particular order…
You might hate your job if… you have Sunday Dread
It’s a beautiful summer Sunday morning. You wake up and your first thought ISN’T about the fun activities you have planned for the day. But, instead the initial thoughts are about work on Monday. And, JUST. HOW. MUCH. you DON’T want to be there. You instantly go into your headspace and it begins swirling with the proverbial to-do list. It’s followed quickly by feelings of discomfort, disgust, depression and even dread. You may put on a ‘good face’ for family or friends. You muscle through Sunday. These feelings and thoughts may amplify throughout the day. By Sunday evening, you can’t even remember eating dinner. Nor, can you get a good night’s sleep.
You might hate your job if… You have an increase in physical dis-ease
It’s been medically proven that stress impacts the body over time. Some examples include: high blood pressure, gastrointestinal disorders, insomnia, inflammatory immune responses, obesity, depression, anxiety. We often don’t take the time to associate what is happening with our work environment and the impact it is having on our physicality. I had pneumonia twice and bronchitis five times in roughly 6 months at one point in my career. My body was an alarm clock telling me to ‘wake up’ and make some changes. Sometimes, the alarm isn’t so loud. Noticing the gradual decline into dis-ease is important, along with what is happening at work and in life.
You might hate your job if… Your Complain to Champion ratio is out of whack.
It’s a random evening and you are meeting up with one of your closest friends. She or he asks ‘how are you’? How do you answer? Do you launch into, “I’m fine”, then proceed to vent about just how horrible your day, job, boss, company is? What is the ratio of negative to positive content? Pay attention, on average, is the negative content more predominant? If you are complaining ALL. THE. TIME. then you might hate your job.
You might hate your job if… You live for Happy Hour(s).
It’s 2pm on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and especially Friday and you begin thinking about a big, stiff, cold drink. Works sucks, so a drink is in order. You begin to text with friends or your significant other to coordinate meeting for happy hour. Sometimes, a drink turns into two, four… Sometimes, it’s rushing home to drink, eat, exercise to exhaustion (insert your addictive behavior of choice). How often do you self-medicate? Do you need to have a drink after work every day? Does happy hour start earlier and earlier? Or do you binge on weekends only?
You might hate your job if… Family & Friends give you direct and indirect feedback.
Your Mom says you look like crap (lovingly, of course). Your spouse shares that he hasn’t seen you smile in forever. Your significant other complains that you are always on your phone appeasing your boss. Your kids are afraid to engage with you until you’ve had your drink (or two). Your friends complain that you aren’t fun anymore. Sometimes, we get more direct feedback. It’s pretty powerful when a loved one says ‘this job is killing you, is it worth it?’. We believe our excuses until we finally hear the feedback whether it’s from our personal board of advisors or our body gives out.
You might hate your job if… You mentally plot evil, AKA I2 agency (Ill Intent).
I2 agency has a tax mentally and physically. I2 is when you harbor ill intentions for your boss, coworkers or the company. You picture them getting fired, demoted or hurt (like you are hurting). Sometimes this begins in a harmless way, like poking fun, but it’s done in a mean manner. You secretly rejoice when bad things happen at work. You may actually engage in varying degrees of destructive behaviors, like passive aggressiveness, bullying or sabotage. Do you use your powers for good or evil? Are you an I2 agent?
You might hate your job if.. You exhibit emotional volatility.
While at work, are you on an emotional rollercoaster? Do you fly off the handle at the slightest of things? How irritable are you? Do co-workers walk on egg shells around you? Have you received any direct or indirect feedback about your work behavior? If the majority of your days are filled with extreme highs and lows, that’s a good indication that some changes may need to be made.
How many of these are your experience? How much are you willing to sacrifice to do, be or have this type of job or career? Is it worth it to spend the majority of your waking hours hating what you do?
We only have a finite amount of time on this planet, and you can choose how to spend that time. A coach can help you navigate from hating to loving your job and career. It undoubtedly is an investment in yourself and aren’t you worth it? Are you ready?: Press HERE for Success
I wish you much success on your career quest. Yours in balance, learning, growth and harmony. – Melissa DeLuca, CEO
