There are certain things everyone needs to know about their jobs. It’s not always enjoyable, and in fact, some days are downright awful. So how can you prepare mentally for a new job, or even just continue to go to your current job everyday? Buzzfeed shares some tips.
Try things you’re interested in. What are your hobbies? What are your interests? Can you incorporate these things into your work? Sometimes, your hobbies can lead to entirely new professions, or give you a boost in your current position. For example, if you love tinkering with computers in your off time, you never know when those skills may be helpful.
You’re going to have to work with people you don’t like. Whether it’s the evil manager who nitpicks every assignment you turn in, or a catty colleague who loves to throw others under the bus, get ready—it’s just a fact of life. You have to get over it and move on. Don’t participate in the office gossip, and don’t fuel the fire—keep your head down, get your work done, and move on.
You’ll also work with people who are smarter than you, and better at their jobs than you are. This can actually be beneficial, as it motivates you to do better work and carefully analyze your thoughts and plans. Instead of letting these people intimidate you, allow yourself to be inspired. You can learn a lot from those with more experience and a different frame of mind.
Some days are going to suck. No job is great all the time. You’ll mess up a project, your boss will be in a foul mood, and your coworkers will slack off, which may force you to pick up the pieces to get things done. Only you can decide if your mental health suffers so much that you cannot deal with the office drama anymore.
- See Turning a Job You Hate into a Job You Love for more information.
You’re going to feel completely lost some days. You will realize how little you actually know, no matter how much experience you may have. Every workplace is different and requires different methods of getting things done. Just maintain your desire to improve yourself and learn as much as you can, and you’ll eventually ease into the position.
Don’t stress too much about your resume. In today’s world, people rarely start a job with the expectation that they will stay there until retirement. While it’s important not to “job hop” too much because you don’t like a job, few potential employers will fault you for a single position that you left because you just couldn’t stand it.
It’s possible to outgrow a job, even if you really love it. Sometimes you won’t get a raise for several years, and it will start to wear on you. You may see others who were hired after you receive promotions, and you’re still stuck in the same position. When you stop seeing a potential for advancement in your position, it may be time to break free.
Your passion for your work is up to you. No one can make you passionate about a job—it has to come from within. After you’ve been at a job for a while, it’s easy to figure out how to glide by without putting in as much effort. However, this often leads to feelings of being unfulfilled and bored. Keep challenging yourself, no matter how long you’ve been in your current role.
- See You Are Not Your Job: How to Find Your True Passion for more information.
You will fail. You will goof up a report and your boss will be frustrated. You’ll miss a very important conference call because you lost track of time. Instead of letting these experiences define you, learn from them and figure out how to avoid such mistakes in the future. No one is perfect.
Find the proper work/life balance. You can’t work all the time, and you can’t let your job take over your personal life. Turn your phone off when you need to. Refrain from checking work email first thing in the morning. Chances are, most things can wait until you’re in the office.
Levo adds a few other pointers. First, try not to take things so personally. You are at work to work and to contribute to the success of a business or entity. Therefore, others may hurt your feelings along the way as they try to maintain success as well. Keep your emotions out of the job as much as possible.
Additionally, get ready for “office politics” no matter how long you’ve been working. The work environment can change due to new management hires, a boss’s departure, or any other number of reasons. With these changes you may find that you are not as appreciated as you once were, or that there are some office “pets” that get all the credit for work. Focus on building up your current skills to strengthen your abilities, and try not to let it bug you too much.
Finally, the environment is going to be miserable. What do we mean? It’s always going to be too hot or too cold. Take a sweater or put a fan in your office so you can use it when you need it, and grin and bear it.
Source: Buzzfeed
Photo credit: careerealism.com
