Difficult Jobs: Actions Steps to Take

Many people love their jobs.

 

For most of us, there will be at least one job you just have to get through until you get another opportunity and can run for the door.

 

There are lots of reasons jobs don’t work out. Perhaps you don’t get along with your colleagues, maybe you are simply bored with what you’re doing or it might be that the business itself is poorly managed.

 

But whatever the reason, it’s imperative that you don’t give up. You can deal with most things with a good manager or even legal support from a company like McCarthy Law PLC so please keep pursuing your goals.

 

Figuring out a way to resolve problems at work isn’t easy, and sometimes it’s difficult to put your finger on exactly what’s wrong. So, before you stress yourself out, let’s work through the issues rationally and calmly.

Some smaller problems might have simple solutions you can enact on your own. For example, if you are frustrated that your desk has become a dumping ground for your team’s stuff, find a place for it to go or redistribute to your colleagues! Or, if you work in HR, for example, and are struggling or spending too much time on a task, you might want to read the advice of someone like Context Copywriting and see if they could offer you any solutions or ideas that you could put forward to your manager to help you out. Of course, on the other hand, you might need your manager’s support to deal with more serious problems like workplace bullying or concerns that your job isn’t working for you.

List the Problems You Have

Listing your problems won’t be a fun-filled activity but it should give you a bit more clarity about why you hate your job. The list will also serve as a basis for formulating a plan to make things better – but we’ll come to that in a moment.

 

When you list your problems, try to be specific. For example, if you don’t get on well with your colleagues, don’t just write that they are useless and you hate them. Be specific and outline the actual issue.

 

It might be that they often leave work late and that affects your deadlines, or maybe they have been making some underhand comments and making you feel marginalized. When you list their actions rather than your feelings, it should become a little clearer how you can best tackle the issue.

 

Listing your problems might also help to give you a sense of perspective.

 

Sometimes, you might be feeling badly about your job, because you are overly anxious about your performance or you are taking criticism too personally. When you are young and new to the working environment, this is a really common issue.

Developing a thicker skin might just help you to brush away comments that would otherwise bruise. Equally, building your self-confidence will have a huge impact on the way you work and you might find that when you present yourself more confidently, others respond positively and everything gets better.

 

It’s easier to tackle a problem when it’s laid out impersonally and you might find that an attitude change is all you need.

 

If you’re feeling tired, take a holiday; if you’re bored, maybe you could step up your social life; if you’re insecure, maybe you should discuss your feelings with a therapist. The point is, once your problems are written down, you have the means to tackle them one by one.

 

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Can You Solve Any Problems Now?

Working out how to solve problems is critical, so try to approach your list as if you are a 3rd party.

 

Giving yourself a bit of distance can be hard though, so enlist the help of a friend or family member for some advice if you need it!

 

Some smaller problems might have simple solutions you can enact on your own. For example, if you are frustrated that your desk has become a dumping ground for your team’s stuff, find a place for it to go or redistribute to your colleagues! On the other hand, you might need your manager’s support to deal with more serious problems like workplace bullying or concerns that your job isn’t working for you.

 

Telling your manager you’re not happy at work is a difficult thing to do – it’s hard to admit something isn’t working and you are obviously going to feel quite emotional as you speak. However, there are a few things you can do to make it easier. For one thing, you should arrange a time to talk together privately so that you don’t just bombard them with problems all of a sudden.

 

Taking a list in with you is also a really good idea.

 

You might like to edit your personal list down to a few key points you want to handle and make sure that your language is as impersonal as possible. Remember, it’s easier for your manager to deal with a concrete issue that it is an insult so instead of saying that your colleague is useless, say that you need your colleague to meet deadlines or listen to instructions.

 

The latter example is actionable – your manager can go to your colleague, explain the issue and then ask them to be more careful about meeting deadlines. Asking someone to be less useless is a non-starter!

 

Allowing yourself to be vulnerable is always uncomfortable and it’s natural to want to protect yourself by projecting all the problems onto your colleagues. Remember though, this meeting is about what you need to be happier at work – it might be that there are things you can do to make the situation better as well.

 

For example, if you are bored at your job, you might be able to take on further responsibilities, or shadow someone in the office to see if something else might suit you better.

 

It’s rare that a problem has a single solution.

 

Most of the time, we all need to make small adjustments to ease the relationships we have. Be prepared to compromise and listen to alternative solutions as well. It’s easy to dig your heels in and assert that x, y and z need to happen but if you are open to other ideas – including the likelihood that you are part of the problem – you will find it much easier to resolve things for the better.

What if the Job Really Isn’t for You?

If you have made a genuine effort to resolve the problems you have but you still hate your job, it’s probably time to move on.

 

There are some problems that simply aren’t solvable – such as a failing business or difficult work culture – and the best idea is to jump ship. But given that you are so dejected, how can you move on quickly and effectively without landing on another sinking ship?

 

The first thing you should do when contemplating a new job is dust off your CV.

 

Your resume (CV) should be as polished as possible when you come to apply for a new opportunity, so make sure that you include any new skills you have gained and any particular highlights of your time in your current job. Thinking positively about your job and capabilities will hopefully give you a bit of a boost and help you to see what you are qualified to do next. Again, thinking objectively is the key here. If you are really struggling to do so, then consulting a georgia resume writers service could be beneficial.

 

If you still like the industry and the job, it’s just the company that isn’t working for you, becoming a freelancer is a good idea. Freelancing allows you to take control of the work you do and the people you work with. It’s also a good way to get to know a range of other businesses and could easily lead to a more suitable and stable job later on.

 

For people who find that their dream job is actually a nightmare, moving on can be really daunting. Sure, your resume is great but what should you apply for now? You thought you had it all sorted out so how on earth can you figure out what to do next? First of all, please don’t panic.

 

Falling out with a dream job happens to lots of people, because we change and grow over time and so does the job market.

 

Instead of focusing on why your dream job has been such a disaster, think about what the good points have been and what you would like to aim for now. You don’t need a concrete idea just yet, but knowing that you liked the office vibe but want more flexibility or you would like a chance to be more creative is a good start.

 

Once you’ve started planning your exit, please remember to stay civil with your colleagues. Don’t allow your work to fall in standard or risk disciplinary action because you’ve got one foot out of the door. While you are applying for other jobs, maintain your high standards and keep working as a team player, after all, your manager may still be required to write a reference for you.

 

Make a Positive Change

 

 

Working through a job you hate is hard but it is possible.

 

Understanding your problems, finding potential solutions and working on a new strategy is a skillset we could all use in various areas of our lives. Staying positive and facing the challenges ahead is what sets the very best employees out from the crowd. And, you never know, your determination to make things better could have a great impact on everyone in your team and build the confidence of others to make the workplace a better place.

 

Good luck!

 

 

Ken Boyd

Author: Cost Accounting for Dummies, Accounting All-In-One for Dummies, The CPA Exam for Dummies and 1,001 Accounting Questions for Dummies

(email) ken@stltest.net

(website and blog) https://www.accountingaccidentally.com/

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