Did you just search for I do not like my job, I want to quit my job, or I am tired of my job in your search engine? This can mean that you don’t feel motivated or satisfied with your current work environment. Everyone feels a lack of motivation to wake up early or go back to work after the weekend, but if the feeling persists throughout your time in the workplace; then you have a problem that needs to be addressed and fixed. Here are ten reasons why you think you dislike your job and how to fix it to increase your work satisfaction.
- You are bored
The main reason for boredom at work is a lack of challenge. If you feel like you are doing the same things every day, let your manager know and ask for new responsibilities that can help you be more productive. The key to beating boredom is to fill your time with meaningful and varied responsibilities. Taking on more work will help you pass the time in the office much faster and feel more accomplished at the end of the day.
- You feel unrecognized
It does not matter how high your salary is or how many benefits you have, if your work goes unrecognized you will start to feel like your role does not matter. Feeling unappreciated will drive you to dislike your job and resent your manager and coworkers. Before it is too late, bring proof to your manager of all the times you have gone above and beyond or did something great for the company. In a professional manner express how the lack of recognition negatively affects your performance and how some appreciation will allow you excel at your role.
- You are no longer passionate
Your greatest source of motivation is the passion you have towards your role and career goals. It is easy to lose sight of your passions as the days pass and your job becomes more streamlined. If you are no longer passionate, think back to the early days of your role. What excited you about the position? What made you accept the role? Think about that spark and find ways to bring it back by adding variety to your responsibilities and pitching them to your manager for support.
- The company’s values no longer align with yours
As time passes, we grow, our priorities change, and our values evolve. Sometimes this can lead to a culture disconnect with your workplace that turns into a lack of commitment to the company and your role. Before it escalates and your relationship with your employer ends in a bad note, have a respectful conversation with your manager and find ways to accommodate your new priorities without sacrificing your performance in your role.
- You are suffering from burnout
As you progress in your career your responsibilities can easily pile up, you might start working longer hours, and start thinking about work 24/7. This leads to the infamous burnout which comes with elevated levels of stress, restlessness, and overall hatred towards your job. The key to alleviating burnout is to give your brain a rest from work. Activities like the ones we mention in this blog can help you clear your mind and end burnout for good. Also, if your responsibilities are too many to handle, find ways to delegate some of them or get help from willing coworkers.
- You feel underpaid
As previously mentioned, your role in a company might evolve and you could start taking on more responsibilities than anticipated. At some point the compensation can feel like it does not equate to the amount of work that you are putting into your role. If you feel this way, it is a good idea to present your argument to your manager and professionally ask for a raise or promotion. Bring proof of your new responsibilities, extra efforts, and salaries from similar positions to make a compelling and persuasive argument.
- Your work environment is dreadful
Have you ever watched that scene in the Incredibles where Mr. Incredible is working in a cubicle that he barely fits? While that scene is an exaggeration depressing workstations cause… well, depression and stress. Small cubicles are not the only culprits. Some employees get depressed from lack of human contact in remote positions, others do not perform well in loud or silent conditions. We are all different and thrive in different environments. If your workstation is making you dread your time at work, ask your manager if some accommodation can be made to help you perform at a higher level.
- Someone is giving you a tough time
Harassment in the workplace is not a new topic. That is why employers are required to have strict rules against workplace harassment and inform their employees about its dangers and negative consequences. If a coworker is giving you a tough time, let them know how their behavior is bothering you. Some people do not realize that they are doing something offensive, so communication is key. Depending on the gravity of the situation you might want to involve human resources or your manager in the conversation.
If your manager is the one giving you a tough time, it is a good idea to have a professional conversation and discuss what part of their managerial style causes you stress or has an adverse effect on your performance. Any good manager will listen to what you have to say and care about your well-being in the workplace.
- Your commute is too long
Sometimes the stress does not come from your job but from outside factors. Long commutes with heavy traffic can drain you and build up stress before you even make it work. This can result in low performance and tiredness throughout the day. If your drive to work is too long, consider moving to a closer location. If that is not possible, ask your manager if your position can be accommodated as a hybrid or remote role.
- The grass is greener on the other side of the fence
It is easy to disregard all the good things that come with your job if you start hearing of companies that provide a better culture, compensation, or benefits. The reality is that the perfect company does not exist. Remember all the experiences, relationships, and wonderful things you have accomplished in your current role. Are there more opportunities for growth with your current employer? If so, consider pursuing them and see how you thrive in a familiar environment.
We tend to see our jobs as a means to gain income, yet it is also a relationship between you and your employer. Sometimes relationships get stale, and steps need to be taken to make it work once more. Remember that communication is key to make any relationship work, including the one you have with your employer.
Written by
Jose Caceres
Marketing Manager
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