Does your work constantly leave you feeling drained, empty, or frustrated? Do you think about changing jobs every day? Do you hate your job right now and want to quit? If you answered “yes” to all of the above, know that you’re not alone.
The ideal option would be to secure a better job, but sometimes we find ourselves in a position where it is not wise or possible at the moment. The reasons for this can be practical — or because no other options have opened up, we aren’t ready to make certain trade-offs, or a reasonable concern or another is holding us back. Despite the discouragement that you might be experiencing, you will reap a benefit exactly where you are. It is possible to make the most out of your situation, and if you do so, your profit will extend beyond the tangible. Here are three key takeaways that you can gain from working a job that you don’t like.
- Discover your true calling
If you knew exactly what you were meant to do instead, the chances are that you would not be in the position you are currently in. By working a job that you don’t love, you eventually find what energizes you and the things that you keep coming back to even when you feel completely exhausted after a long day of work. A difficult day in the workplace may cause you to gravitate more toward the activities or interests you love as a form of therapy. Your day-in and day-out work-life informs your day-in and day-out life outside of work too, because what you enjoy outside of work will be things that help you get through your day. They will give you something to look forward to and also serve as the thing that you continue to return to. Working a job that you dislike also enables you to separate work from your life instead of equating the two. You realize that you do not have to be in love with your job to be happy and live a meaningful existence, and you can find things outside of work that brings you joy.
- Learn to adapt and grow in character
When nothing is changing around you, and you want your life to change, you, therefore, have to be the one who changes so that you can survive the circumstances you’ve been placed in. There needs to be a sense of contentment to cultivate gratitude, which involves being thankful for what you have. While it is crucial to challenge ourselves to reach new heights and goals, there is something to be said about being okay with where you’re at as part of the journey to getting there. Doing so compels us to creatively find ways to live out our purpose in and aside from work. Whether taking up a specific hobby, pinpointing a role that allows us to do exactly what we feel utilizes our talents and abilities, or seeing little wins as significant sources of joy.
- Develop compassion and empathy for others
Working a job that you hate can furthermore grow your compassion and empathy for others. The things that make us hate our jobs — burnout, stress, disappointment, and a lack of meaning and purpose — are shared experiences, and perhaps more common than not. We can better relate to others who are going through similar issues when we have faced them ourselves. And we should use them to comfort, encourage, strengthen, and inspire those around us. It may take multiple jobs before we feel like we’re even remotely close to doing what we were made for, but in every step of the path toward getting there, there is value and something to be learned.
So if you’re not happy with where you’re at, remember that it is a stepping stone. For as long as you were meant to be in it, you will know yourself better, build a stronger character, and possibly help someone else through it.No work experience is ever wasted.
