If you really don’t love your job – you’re not alone.  According to a Gallup poll, 90% of the UK’s working population lack enthusiasm for their job.  It’s therefore not surprising that 12.7 million of us are actively seeking new pastures every day. But as someone who’s been there, I’ve learnt that sometimes the grass isn’t always greener on the other side.  If you’re feeling stuck but can’t move on right now, here are a few hard-earned tips on how to turn things around.

Identify short and long-term goals

Identifying both short and long-term goals is a great motivator.  But it’s a technique only 3% of the population bother to do.  However, if you can muster the energy to write your goals down, you’re 42% more likely to achieve them.  Short-term goals don’t have to be elaborate either.  You could focus on a digital declutter to save you time searching for vital documents.   While long-term goals could focus on spending ten minutes a day to research new career paths to enable you to jump ship to an entirely different career.  Furthermore, no matter how little you love your job, remember that every post is temporary.  And we have more control than we think over how long we stay.

Learn to love your job by focussing on growth mindset

If you’re in a new job and feel completely out your depth, focus on growth mindset.  Too often we stay in jobs far too long because they are so comfortable. But we only ever stagnate in our comfort zone and frequently end up feeling disappointed and resentful.   Focus instead on everything you’re learning during this uncomfortable period. And think forward to a year’s time when you’ll have gained so much more experience. Furthermore, regularly review the new skills you’ve learned and celebrate your successes every day no matter how small. Even if you’re loathing the job, remember no experience is ever wasted – you learn something valuable from every job you do. 

Learn to love your job by embracing training

Aligned with growth mindset is training.  This can help shift the victim mindset that we experience when we feel stuck in a job we dislike. Moreover, it helps shift us from dwelling on the problem to focussing on future possibilities.  If your company already offers training grab it with both hands – particularly if it involves coaching. This is a great way to find new direction and motivation at no cost to you. Conversely, if training’s low down their list of priorities, there are still opportunities to up-skill via free online lessons and tutorials.  I have friends who’ve changed career through blogging  – all learnt through free online lessons.  Having the self-motivation to self-train is a great thing to mention at interviews as it shows drive and self-reliance: two sought after qualities for any job.

Recognise and reward achievement

Recognising and rewarding your achievements is a corner stone of solid self-esteem.  Too often we focus on negative criticism or minor misdemeanours while ignoring all the other things that we do right.  Celebrating accomplishments, no matter how small, helps to set a virtuous cycle of enhanced mood and motivation.  The reward could simply be enjoying a well-earned cup of tea after sending that difficult email. Or  taking yourself out to lunch after doing a company-wide presentation. And once you’ve made the promise, never back track on it.

On a similar note, take five minutes at the end of your day to write down all the small accomplishments you’ve achieved.  Too often, we berate ourselves with having “got nothing done” while ignoring all the tiny steps that sometimes result in the most remarkable career journeys.

Take on new challenges outside your work area

If your job dissatisfaction stems from being too long in the job role, it’s time to see where else your skills could be used.  Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) are a great way to expand into an area that you feel passionate about.  In my previous role, I led the company Wellbeing Network.  This experience increased my knowledge of workplace wellbeing issues while also allowing me to hone my leadership skills.  Crucially, it also helped me demonstrate my commitment to inclusion during my interview for my current role.  In a similar vein, corporate volunteering also offers endless opportunities to gain new skills in a refreshingly different environment. It could even lead you to a new career path.

Take a small risk every day

This’s another important tip for those who feel they’ve over-stayed their shelf life.  Attributed to Nancy Sinatra, taking a small risk every day helps to ease you out of the comfort zone cocoon.  The small risk could be to create a post on LinkedIn to raise your profile.  Or perhaps it’s asking for feedback from a senior manager on a recent piece of work.  Whatever you choose, it should be sufficiently daunting to create some resistance within you.  Only then will you know you’re breaking out your comfort zone.

Learn to love your job by setting boundaries

But what if you’ve already got too much on your plate?  If you work in a management role, think about what else you can delegate to subordinates.  However, if this is not an option, think about how things could be managed more equitably within your team.  While these negotiations can seem daunting, it’s worth noting that mental health is now being taken much more seriously in most workplaces.  The very real consequences of burnout damage everyone so it’s now more acceptable to raise concerns with management.  And the sooner you do it – the better for everyone.

Learn to revise your expectations of your job

Bearing in mind how startlingly few people are happy at work does make me wonder if our expectations are set too high?   Previous generations endured the coal mines to earn a good salary without questioning it.  Today we have more choice than ever before but perhaps that’s where the problems lie.  For me personally, a job that is stable, has good work-life balance and provides a reasonable income is enough.  Fulfilment comes through hiking, being outdoors in nature, travel and spending time with friends and family   Work is a means to an end to afford the things that make life fulfilling. 

Having worked for more than three decades, I don’t believe the perfect job is out there.  While there are plenty of workplaces that need to be avoided at all costs, if the benefits match your own personal values, it’s worth watering the grass where you are before heading to those perceived shiny new pastures.  

Are you unhappy in your job?  What are you doing to make things better? Please comment below.