Perspective on a Job You Don’t Like

Our world is becoming increasingly personalized. Most things today can be made to fit our specific needs, desires or tastes. This is even being done online – when you log into a web browser, it’s being customized for you without your knowledge.

Along with taking in the objective information needed to answer a query, Google’s search results will tailor that information to be more in line with your past behaviors based on cookies in your browser, even if you’re not logged in. This can be prevented if you opt out of this feature by turning off your search history personalization.

This all seems well and good, and for things like search results, it probably is. But knowing that everything will be as we deem it should be, customized to our every whim, can often produce unexpected side effects.

When it comes to the working world, this can be particularly hazardous.

There’s a Reason It’s Called ‘Work’

When you work for a company, whether at the top or bottom of the ladder, you provide a skill which helps the company succeed and therefore you deserve to be compensated appropriately. Businesses are continually accessing choices regarding compensation and service to their clients. These choices are balanced with protecting the bottom line, while ensuring a healthy future of the business, allowing employees to continue drawing a paycheck.

In most businesses there is conflict between the needs of the employee (you) and the needs of the company (your employer). If you, the employee, become disinterested in your job, the conflict can be exacerbated. This result may be harmful to the organization, but it can also be harmful to you. In fact, because it might lead to distraction, decreased effort, poor performance, and bad reviews, it could ultimately be damaging your career.

Speak Up

If your work situation has become problematic, it is your responsibility to address a manager with your concerns. There is no such thing as a perfect job, and if the situation has become unmanageable, it may be time to move on. Trying to work through an untenable situation can result in you disregarding your obligations and will hurt you in the long run.

Consider your performance in these less than ideal conditions, and then consider what opportunities the future will hold. It likely won’t be with the same company, but you will undoubtedly be well served in the future by utilizing the skills and knowledge that you’ve gained by working through a difficult employment situation.

Your Job Is Your Choice

It’s important to remember that, to a large extent, where you work is your choice. You aren’t being forced to go into the office every day. If you don’t like it, you can always quit. This is not recommended, of course, unless you have a good deal of money saved (as well as another opportunity on the horizon), but, technically, it is always an option. A   recent JobsInME.com poll shows that 35 percent of employees would leave their current job for another if it paid more, and16 percent would leave for better benefits elsewhere.

Change Your Perspective

If you are not satisfied with your current job situation, here are some things to consider that could help turn things around for the better:

·         What originally brought you to the job? How you approach your work is entirely up to you. Consider the parts of the job you enjoy, and look for new and interesting ways to make the work enjoyable. Making the job interesting or fun may also help you accomplish more.

·         While this is not always the case, most managers welcome being approached by an employee with ideas about how they might be able to improve the process.

The days of the “factory worker” are almost gone, as Seth Godin points out in his book, Linchpin. Employers expect you to bring your best to work. By finding ways to make your work more enjoyable, you may find yourself feeling differently about your job.