If you’re really hating your job at the moment, and all you can think about is how long and boring the days in the workplace are, it’s definitely time to do something about it! Not being a morning person is one thing, but if the same sense of dread follows you everywhere at work, it’s clear there’s something else going on. And while it does, you’re not going to feel good about your performance at all.
And that’s just not good for your self esteem or your mental health. But don’t worry, we all find ourselves in this boat at one point or another, and that’s why we know what to do about it. Make sure you keep the points below in mind as you navigate these choppy waters right now – you never know, you might come out the other side having a newfound appreciation for your work!
Figure Out Why You’re Struggling
The first step to making your job less of a struggle is to figure out why. What’s going wrong? What’s become too hard for you? What’s making the workplace a hellscape to be in? Questions like these might be difficult to answer, but they’re certainly important to answer. Otherwise you simply won’t know where to start with making a change. So take some time right now, as you’re reading this. What’s going on?
Get a notepad and pen out and write down how you feel about work. In all your mixed up thoughts and feelings you should be able to pick out a common theme, or maybe two. And when you do, you’ll have a much stronger case for the next step. Whether you want to actually put a complaint in, or you want to have a quiet word with someone, or you want to start looking for a new job altogether, this is your starting point.
The more you know about your issue, the more you can do some research into it. In doing this, you might even realize you need to see a doctor about your mental and/or physical health, which is holding you back from the job satisfaction you really deserve.
Talk About it, No Matter How Hard it is
We all know just how hard talking about our problems can be. We hate making ourselves vulnerable in front of other people, especially those we respect in the professional sense. And sometimes, we feel like we should be able to handle everything ourselves. However, this is simply not true, and we all need a little help sometimes!
And while venting to your parents or going for a night out with a friend makes you feel better, it won’t get the problem at work solved. No, you’ll have to talk to your supervisor or the boss themselves for that. Of course, such an idea is scary, but if you’re having issues at work, your performance can slip, and you wouldn’t want someone to think you’re getting bad at your job.
So, get in early, explain yourself, explain the issue, and ask for a solution. Your boss may reduce your workload, they may assign more team members to your area, or they may put you on a training course. And if you have your own ideas, be sure to negotiate for them, as it’s well within your right to do so.
Beat Back the Monday Blues
Monday mornings are hard, we all know that! But when they’re so hard that you don’t want to get out of bed, and you’re nearly brought to tears by the need to do so, you might need a little extra help with getting motivated. Maybe all you can think about is how long the work day is going to be, or how many customers you’re going to have to deal with, and you’re close to calling in sick every time Monday rolls around.
However, Monday mornings don’t have to always be the doom and gloom start to the week you expect them to be. Sure, they mark the end of the weekend and all your free time (if you have any!), but they’re also a chance for a fresh start each and every time. It’s ultimately up to you how you spend your Monday mornings, but we’ve got some ideas about how to make them more manageable.
Take a moment to look through the best monday motivation quotes, if you’re looking for some real wisdom right now. Similarly, put something fun on while you’re getting ready and/or eating breakfast, and continue watching and/or listening to it while you commute.
It’ll certainly make the trip to work feel less like a drag! And speaking of breakfast, don’t bother with something healthy – skip the diet for the day, and have something that’s tasty and fills you up to get the week started off right.
Take a Day
Of course, every now and then you’re going to need to take a day. And if you’ve racked up some vacation days or a bit of sick leave, put it to good use right now! Don’t worry that you’re wasting the time off you’ve got – you’re in need right now, thanks to just how low your mental health is, and you should never beat yourself up about needing a moment to yourself.
So take a day (or two!), and get yourself together. Take some time to relax and recharge, and do something fun to fill the time. Try to get to bed a bit earlier than you usually would, and aim for 8 hours of sleep straight through; a good night’s rest really does make all the difference!
Visit your loved ones, and talk on the phone for hours with your bestie. Play some video games and slob out with pizza on the sofa. Whatever it is you want to do with your time off work, do it! Honestly, you deserve it, and as long as it’s something a bit different, you’ll be taking a break.
Set Your Boundaries
Boundaries are so important in the working world. Without them, we can let people walk all over us, and take advantage of our ability to do the job we’re hired for. And if you’re someone who hates saying ‘no’ to anyone, it’s time to turn that habit around and start doing something for yourself again!
After all, a job is a job, and you’re not letting anyone down by not doing some overtime every now and then. You’re contracted to work certain hours, and you never have to take your boss up on their need for more labor. It’s all up to you, and sometimes you have to choose yourself.
So say ‘no’, take yourself home, and cook an amazing meal for yourself, and then enjoy some time watching your favorite show. There’s nothing wrong with that, even if you feel guilty about it.
The more you do it, the less it’ll play on your mind, and the more respect people will have for you. Indeed, you might not even have to say no – just turn your phone off and make yourself unavailable. You’re outside of work hours, and that means you’ll never owe an explanation for where you are.
Come Up with an Action Plan
Now you’ve got the chance to come up with an action plan. You’ve figured out what’s wrong, you’ve done your research, you’ve taken time off, and you’re getting used to Monday mornings. What happens now? Well, it’s entirely up to you, but it’s all about working out if these are short term or long term solutions.
Think about it. Has the problem you have with work resolved itself in doing these things? Or do you still dread having to go to work? Are you still struggling with a certain part of the job, even if you’ve opened up about it? And if nothing else changes, are you ready to face the fact that things will continue as they do?
Weigh the pros and cons, and then come to a decision: can you keep going at your job? Or would it be worth it to see what else is out there for you? You really do deserve to be happy at work, even if you work hard manual labor and come home with aches and pains every day! Making a change is scary, but it’s often needed.
What to Keep in Mind
If you’re currently struggling at work, the situation doesn’t have to last forever. You’ve got the chance to make a real difference to your life here. And you can do a lot for yourself with this realization: figure out what it is that needs to change, and take back some control.
So start with the points above, and make sure you talk to your loved ones about your choices as well. Someone may have an outside perspective for you to consider that you haven’t taken into account. But at the end of the day, remember it’s up to you what happens next.
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