Hate my job - how to keep motivated?

Fireflyaway

I've been up and down in my job for a while but now decided enough is enough and I'm job hunting. In the meantime I'm struggling to stay motivated and have times when I'm close to telling them to stuff it and walk out. I know that would be stupid as I will need a reference and I need the pay! To boot my manager is shortly changing to someone I don't like. I don't know how long I'm going to be stuck there....
How do I remain sane?

Guest101

Without sounding callous, by being professional.


Lots of people do jobs they don't like, but accept that a professional persona is needed

engineer_amy

Simply remind yourself that you will not be there forever. You have already started job hunting, so hopefully you will find an alternative soon. Then its just a countdown until you are out of there.
In the meantime, as Guest says, keep it professional. Keep doing your job to the best of your ability and treat your colleagues and managers with the same respect that they ought to receive. Remember you will still need a decent reference.
There have been times when I have hated my colleagues and thought about moving on, but kept my head down and got on with the work, as I actually really enjoyed the work. Very soon things improved on their own (maybe my attitude to people changed during the period, I don't know)
Also try and work out if it is just certain aspects of the job that you don't like, and see if there is a way to change them or do them differently

Fireflyaway

Thanks both. I like to think I am being professional, its more a mental thing to keep me going. I am on holiday for 1 week next week so maybe that will refresh me. That fact I don't know how long it will be is what's tough I guess.

TELLIT01

As has been said - stay professional. Go in, do your job for the hours you are paid to, and then go home and forget about the place. Don't let the fact that you aren't enjoying it wear you down, as only you will suffer through that.

Jackmydad

TELLIT01 wrote: »

As has been said - stay professional. Go in, do your job for the hours you are paid to, and then go home and forget about the place. Don't let the fact that you aren't enjoying it wear you down, as only you will suffer through that.

That's pretty well what I was going to say. They're the rules for doing pretty well any job IMHO.
Also don't get involved with the "politics" of the place. That's nearly always a waste of time and energy.

[Deleted User]

For me, it's a case of keep going especially if I can stand the sight of the building.

Bonkers I know, whether it's gut instinct I don't know but if I ever dread the actual approaching the building with that sinking feeling that is when I know I've gone wrong and made a mistake in my employment choice and and really need out. (the jobs I've quit at early days all had this in common)

I realise I'm fortunate in that I can zone out and focus on the constant stream of callers that perk me up, they can turn a day good.
As I keep myself to myself and keep out of conversations I can't really dislike anyone, (even if I do under score in communications at review) I'd like a place that doesn't talk bum and boobs (keeping it as clean as possible for here!!) but just know I'd hate being stuck in an office of three with nothing to do and blatant backstabbing kind of thing.

Could be somewhere much worse ? Being super busy doesn't half make the days turn into months. A new job could certainly turn you into the vulnerable one

Fireflyaway

I definitely stay out of the politics / gossip, always have. I'm finding it hard to develop the project as every day there seems to be something negative happen. I just don't have the energy as I really don't care anymore. I even thought of quitting and taking any old job until I find the right thing, but I know that could backfire. I do feel bad for moaning. I'm lucky to have a job, I just feel so bored and frustrated.

DCFC79

I understand how you feel, just hang in there and something else will turn up. Do as mentioned, go in, do your job and finish at your normal time. Keep on top of the job applications.

Jackmydad

I wouldn't quit and take just any job myself, although I know the feeling. You could find yourself worse off in many ways.
Had three temp / Saturday jobs when I was at school / just left school. One was great, another was great but had a horrible boss who wasn't there most of the time. One was a right pain.
I was employed for about 12 years then. Same company. Several departments. Loved some parts. Hated others. Mostly down to the people.
Self employed after the 12 years, which was the answer for me, but isn't for everyone.

dawyldthing

Find things to look forwards to in the evening/ on the weekend that will keep you going. Whether it's cooking a meal you like to eat to going to the cinema can often keep you going. I'm a bit like it at the moment but have to remind myself I'm just there to pay the bills. Plus problem with going into temp work inbetween jobs is you can end up doing bitty days or part days which isn't ideal.

One other thing I used to do was split my annual leave up into full weeks/ part weeks so I didn't go no longer than 2 month before a week or part week off and that kept me going