In the last YES! Your Human Resources Solution blog, we talked about what Human Resources professionals can do to combat employee dissatisfaction before it becomes an insurmountable foe.  But what about the other side of that battle?  Behind every disengaged or dissatisfied employee is an unhappy person who is spending forty or more hours a week at the wrong job.  If you’re one of those unhappy employees, you already know that job dissatisfaction breeds negativity and poor performance.  You probably also know that these qualities are not likely to improve your career path when that path is a circle of dissatisfaction.  So here it is, the toughest thing to accept in this article: to advance beyond a job you hate, you have to excel at it.

Gah!, we know you’re saying.  Do well at a job you hate?  How is that going to happen when all you want is to not be doing that job at all?  We have a plan to make your hated job more tolerable until you can work your way out of it—if you still want to.  Check out these easy steps:

• Conquer the tasks you really hate.  Become master of the tasks that make you want to hit happy hour at 9 a.m.  Make a list of these doozies and consider them separately from all the other tasks you find tolerable or even enjoyable.  They don’t look so bad when they’re on a short list all by themselves, do they?  Now you’ve identified these nasties, it’s time to conquer them.  We tend to put off tasks we don’t like or don’t feel confident about, which can only breed anxiety and guilt while they loom unfinished.  So try dealing with these tasks first thing in the morning or at the front end of your deadline.  Then they’ll be out of the way and the rest of your time will be free to focus on more amiable duties.
• Trade up.  If those hated tasks just seem unconquerable, try talking to your boss about how you would be more productive if they weren’t on your plate.  Your boss might be willing to swap out those tasks, freeing you up to pursue your strengths.  Depending on your work, you might be able to pass your hated tasks along to a freelancer or volunteer.  Who knows—a fellow employee struggling with hated tasks of their own could present an opportunity to exchange duties and make the company stronger.
• Remember why you’re there.  Whether it’s financial need or self-fulfillment, we all have a reason why we choose to report to work each day.  Reminding yourself of that reason can motivate you to get through each day with grace.  If you’re working to support the kids, surround yourself with their photos and drawings.  If you’re working toward your dream job, fill your workspace with the lifestyle you will enjoy when you get promoted.  Even pinning up photos of your dream vacation can help keep you stay focused and positive.

Every career path veers down a dirt road now and again.  If on-the-job blues are bogging you down, remember that with a positive outlook and a plan, greener pastures can be just around the next curve.  Work smart and stay focused, and you’ll be back on the right track in no time!