How to Survive in an Unhappy Workplace

By Pat Olsen

(Source: Harvard Business Review blog)

When you don't like your job, going to work every day can be a challenge. Your problem might
be with a bad manager, that you constantly feel stretched to the breaking point, or that you are
resentful about taking a pay cut. Or, the whole environment may just feel toxic. You might need
to stay in your job because it provides health benefits, or maybe you're only staying while you
look for another position. Whatever your reasons for being unhappy, you need to maintain
your professionalism and prevent a bad attitude from sabotaging you.

What the Experts Say

Joe Mosca, an associate professor in the Leon Hess Business School at Monmouth University,
who specializes in human resources management and organizational behavior,says that looking
within is the first step. "That may be hard for some people to hear," he suggests, because while
it's true that sometimes people just don't match well with their jobs, employees tend to
rationalize their job dissatisfaction rather than consider that they may be part of the problem.
But if you are part of the problem, you may be part of the solution, too.

That's not to say unhappy workers don't have valid complaints. One thing you don't want to do,
however, is let your feelings boil over at work.

Signs That You Need to Take Action

Losing control at work helps no one and may have repercussions in both your current job and in
the future — you never know when you'll work with one of your current colleagues again.

Indications that you need to address your emotions may be physical or behavioral, explains
Catherine McCarthy, a clinical psychologist and COO of The Energy Project, an organizational
consulting firm. The signs include feeling distracted, sluggish, angry or irritable, not sleeping
well or sleeping excessively, relying on alcohol or food to comfort yourself, and withdrawing
from friends and activities. All may indicate underlying depression or anxiety, which you
shouldn't ignore.

Consider these solutions for surviving and even thriving in a job that's less than optimal:

1. Face the reality head-on. China Gorman, chief global member engagement officer of the
Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) reminds workers that during a recession or
slow recovery, people at all levels experience the pain. Such an economic climate makes it more
difficult to leave a job, but it doesn't mean you should feel stuck. Erickson advises that you
"Accept that this job is not where you want to be, even if you can't make a change today. But
begin taking steps to change things." Practice radical acceptance. Tell yourself, 'This is where I
am, this is where I'm going to be for a certain amount of time.' You have more control over how
you think than you realize. Understand what you're feeling, and that if you show up to work
irritated, it affects your performance.

2. Develop a plan. Be proactive. Brainstorm with trusted friends and family members about
your ideas. If there's something you'd like to change, decide whether your boss is approachable
and if so, the best tactics to use. You could also try learning a new skill. At the very least, it may
help you prepare for another job. It can also lift your spirits and lead to new possibilities at your
current job.

3. Find (or Accentuate) the positive. Make a list of the good points about your job, advises
McCarthy. Gorman calls this a benefit log. You may be thankful to have healthcare and other
benefits. You may like your coworkers, or the fact that you have a short commute. Maybe
there's a great gym on-site, or you enjoy the opportunity for travel or the mentoring you do.
Listing what you do like about your job will help shift your perception and keep you from feeling
so trapped. If you don't take responsibility, "it will hurt your performance, erode your
satisfaction further, and make your time at the job worse," she says.

Principles to Remember

Do:

Differentiate between what you can change and what you can't.
Take responsibility for making a change.
Focus on making the best of a bad situation.

Don't:

Assume nothing will ever change.

Allow negative thoughts to rule you.
Go it alone.