A Gallup poll found that a staggering 85% of American workers hate their jobs. That’s a terrifying figure, given just how much of life is spent working. If you hate at least 40 hours of every single week of your life, then you’re going to spend the vast majority of your life miserable.
This just doesn’t make sense. Life is short, so if you hate your job, then why force yourself to stick it out? Unless you’re close to the point of retirement, finding a role that you (at the very least) don’t actively hate is going to enhance your life hugely, so let’s examine the potential options available to you…
#1 – Move into the same job for a different company
Sometimes, it’s not the job that is the problem; it’s the company you’re doing the job for. By switching to another company, you have the opportunity to capitalize on your existing skills while also improving how you feel about your working environment. Unless it’s the actual mechanics of your job that you dislike, this is always a good place to start.
#2 – Move into a related, but similar, job
If you’re tired of doing the same thing over and over every day, then moving into a similar-but-related job is an option worth considering. For example, if you work in accounting, you could consider a switch to payroll processing; or if you’re a store clerk, you could move into the warehouse for a while. Often, you can make this kind of switch with the same company, and they might even admire your desire to shake things up a little.
#3 – Further your education
If you work in an entry-level related role, then furthering your education is a great way to help you move up the career ladder into a more fulfilling job. Additionally, you’ll likely be able to command a higher salary as a result of your new qualification; the ROI of MBA qualifications is substantial, and the same applies for higher vocational qualifications also.
#4 – Completely retrain
If you have come to realize that the industry you have chosen to work in is not for you, then often your best choice is going to be to completely retrain or. This is a risky decision, but one that can ultimately be worth it, especially if you are careful to ensure you retrain in an industry you definitely wish to be involved in. Retraining is a big step, but it’s worth making the risk if you cannot conceivably think of any way you could improve how you feel about your current job and industry.
In conclusion
If you hate your job, then taking the leap to do something about it can feel terrifying. However, a huge part of your life is going to be spent working; a little short-term fear to help improve your future is a risk that many people feel is well worth taking. The above options can help improve your prospects, and your personal happiness, almost exponentially, so it’s well worth reconsidering your career if you’re not happy where you currently are.