What to Do If You Don't Love Your Job

Maybe you took the first position you were offered so you could pay your bills and now it feels suffocating. Maybe you took a job to bide time while you searched for a full time job at something you love and yesterday you looked up and discovered it’s been 7 years. Maybe you thought you had chosen the right position, the career you were meant to pursue and then all of a sudden you think you chose wrong. Maybe you're an entrepreneur and it’s getting hard and you’re thinking “Ugh maybe I was crazy to think this would work.” But the show must go on.

Should you quit?

Should you look for another career and start over?

Should you self medicate with Netflix and Dry Martini’s?

Maybe. Maybe not.

These are options, sure, but the right one for you…I don’t know, but I can say with 100% confidence that you know, the answer is waiting to be uncovered. But, while you figure it out, there are a few strategies you could try first before you do anything hasty, before you burn any bridges, before you walk out the proverbial door.

Like…….

Change the Scenery:

When clients come to me hating their job, the first thing I do is work with them to make changes where they are and make it as comfortable, as perfect, as possible. ( I see you rolling your eyes but, hear me out.)

Let’s start with your office or cubicle.

What can you do to it that will make it more fun, organized, pleasing to the eye?

Do you like to be outside in nature and you feel trapped inside all day long? Let’s bring in some plants to green up the space.

Do you hunger for beauty in a generic space? How about bringing in some art work or some framed photos of friends and family. A vase of fresh flowers perhaps?

Feeling squelched in a less than creative environment? Bring in a framed bulletin board and create an inspiration board for a project you want to work on or that new career you’re considering…no one needs to know the topic.

Work to make it feel right again, cause at some point it’s what you wanted, right?

Make some Adjustments:

Make a list of everything you don’t like about the job you currently have. (this list can also be helpful if you decide a new start is the right thing for you. You don't want to repeat this!) Brainstorm what needs to happen to make each thing better for you. Such as, If going to the office everyday is on your list how about you ask to work remotely a couple of days a week. Change something as simple as where you go to lunch and or who you go to lunch with.

Create a Fan Book:

Sometimes we all need to be reminded of who we are. Create a book full of things that make you remember who you are,include cards and letters where people have thanked you for being you and told you what that means. Blog comments, FB Posts where someone has left you the perfect compliment and it feels amazing. Put all of those things together into a book, file or a computer document. Bring it out and read it when you need to be reminded exactly how special you really are. I keep my fan book in my purse, on the cover is the Union Jack. It makes me smile just looking at it.

Move at Work:

Set up a yoga class or put together a walking group a couple times a week at your workplace. Bonding with your fellow employees over a sun salutation may lift your spirits!

Be the Best at what you do:

Be the best employee your company has ever had. That’s right! No matter how much you think you hate your job, do your best to be the best damn janitor, sales assistant, garbage man, secretary, data entry person. Be indispensable, it feels so good.

Start a Side Hustle:

Before you make a move you might regret, how about starting a side business? What do you love to do? Start jotting down ideas at lunch and after work. Instead of chilling on the couch start taking those ideas and creating a plan for your new business. Side Hustles, can take a lot of time or a little time. But the action may be just what you need. Chris Guillebeau's book "Side Hustle:From Idea to Income in 27 Days" is a great resource.

Focus on the Good:

Make a list of everything you like about your job. How can you enhance it? Do you love a certain aspect of your job? How about asking to do more of it? Focus on the bright spots, gratitude is good for the soul, it rewires the brain, you will feel better.

You may not be loving your work right now but, be kind to yourself, be patient. Make adjustments. Just don’t jump overboard to soon, hang in there.. you may just fall in love again. xo

Read This the Next Time You Feel Like Everyone is Already Doing Your Thing!

Recently, I received this email from a person who follows me on instagram:

Good Evening Robin.

I have a question I hope you will answer. With so many people in the world doing the same career as you, how did you still make the choice to do this? Didn't you feel you would get lost in the shuffle?

Sincerely, D

Now, I’m not gonna lie, there was time in the not so distant past that this kind of thinking would freeze me in my tracks on the regular.  The thought would cross my mind on the daily that  I was never going to succeed at this life coaching gig. 

Like, Never.

I'd have thoughts like:

Who do I think I am?

Why should I succeed?

I'm not that special.

I'm not as good as so and so over there.

My lovelies...Have you ever had any of these thoughts about your chosen gig?

I'm going to share with you what I told "D" and I hope you bookmark this post and  read this the next time you feel like everyone is already doing your thing.

The truth is,  there are thousands of doctors, lawyers, dog walkers, personal chefs, yoga instructors and yes, it appears there are now thousands of life coaches in the world.  And, I believe this awareness is in a big part (like 99%) courtesy of social media. Yes, good old social media; a blessing and a curse.

  But, you know what... I know the secret.

Darling, it's simple...there is only one me and there is only one YOU.   

YOU bring something special to your chosen gig that only you can bring.  

YOU bring your style, the secret sauce that no one else can.

When the imposter thoughts cross the avenues of your mind ( I promise these thoughts happen to Beyonce and Oprah occasionally too!)  first, I want you to make a list of all of your negative thoughts and do the work on them.  

Second step is to make another list.

 Yes, darling, another list.

This is a list of all the characteristics that make you the perfect Chocolatier, Reiki Master or Cat Masseuse there is,and why you love your gig.

I'll give you an example, for me, a life coach is a perfect fit.  I'm naturally a positive, optimistic person.   People have always told me their stories. I love to see people happy and inspired. One of my super powers is that I am highly intuitive which helps with finding the truth.  I'm super organized  and a natural born leader.  I love, love, love  to plan events.  I get to use my creativity to create tools and experiences to help my clients figure out what they want and why they want it.  Boom.  

It's a perfect fit.

Now, you.  First, do the thought work and then make your list.

When you feel like an imposter or you feel like there is no way you too could be a successful business coach, life style blogger, accountant, TV Chef, canine stylist whatever it is...Remember this...there are enough clients,entrepreneurs & dogs  who need your expertise and inspiration!   

There is enough of everything for all of us to succeed but we have to give it enough time, energy, attention and some good old fashioned elbow grease.  

Improve your craft daily.  

Don't deprive the world of you and your gifts!

This is what I told "D" and now I've shared with you.

You are the secret to your success.  xo

The Rock in My Foot

So, I have this nagging issue.  Not a big issue, just something small, you see, about three months ago I noticed this really sore spot on the bottom of my foot.   I thought I just needed a pedicure (which I did)  but there is still this nagging black painful spot under the skin.  Something is obviously stuck in it (no surprise I go barefoot all of the time) but, I haven’t been able to get it out.   So every day, for the last three months, I have had an annoying pain when I run, walk, sometimes even sitting still. 

Now, I know you’re thinking “Robin, GO TO THE DOCTOR!” 

And yes, I need to do that but, it’s a low grade, back burner, I’ll get to it when I have the  time kind of thing.    But this morning, when I was really feeling it (the first few steps are the worst) it got me thinking, where else in my life am I allowing, ignoring or  dare I say tolerating something, that if I took the time to take care of it,  life would be even more amazing?

 And, of course dear ones, I started thinking of you, what are you tolerating?

What is your “Rock in my foot?”

Where in your life is there something that would make your life so much better if you took the time to deal with it?

Perhaps it’s a relationship that needs mending or ending (it’s been hanging on to long.)

A home maintenance issue (like a wall that needs patched and painted,)

Clothing that needs a button sewn on so you can wear it again.

A business situation that needs attention.

A phone call that needs to be made. (Aunt Stella may be crazy but she's still your aunt.)

Do you need to schedule a Doctor appointment? (if it’s a mammogram or other important screening please do it today!)

Let’s all commit to doing what it takes this week to make our lives better by taking care of something that’s been a low grade annoyance or something we’ve been putting off for far to long.

We are all blessed to live where we do, food on the table, clothes on our back, a roof over our heads and resources to do great things with our lives.  (If you don’t have these things please contact me and I will help you, that’s a guarantee.) 

We are all grateful for our lives but let’s not let good enough be good enough let’s make it awesome shall we?

Gotta run I gotta call the Doctor.  Xo

Love + Bravery

Robin

ROBIN MCALLISTER ZAAS IS A LIFE COACH IN COLUMBUS, OHIO.

She focuses on weight loss in a new way that breaks the typical "dieting" mold. With products like Not Your Sister's Diet, Robin can help you discover a healthy relationship with food and most importantly—with yourself. To kickstart your (re)self-discovery journey, try Robin's free Coach In My Pocket for daily inspiration that will encourage you to be born brave again. (Hint: You were always born brave.)