We’ve all been there. You’re working full-time, going with the flow when all of a sudden you find yourself in a rut. You dread going to work each morning. Your coworkers start to irritate you. You buy lots of lottery tickets hoping to win big so you can quit your job for good.
It’s normal to find yourself craving something different after five, 10, 20 years of working in the same position. But – despite what you’re currently thinking – quitting isn’t your only option. Before you opt for a permanent vacation, consider rekindling the love for your job using the six tips below.
1. Find Your Passion Again
I’m willing to bet that when you started your career, you showed up on day one with a fire in your belly. And while that fire may have faded, there are a few ways to bring it back to life. One way is to mentally go back in time and jot down the things you wanted to achieve when you first started. Have you successfully checked those blocks? And if not, is it possible to start those projects now? Another way is to surround yourself with positive people. Passion catches just as quickly as negativity so block out the nay-sayers and start having lunch with people who are driven to succeed. Finally, consider becoming a mentor. You’ll be able to pass on your knowledge and hopefully, rekindle some of your passion in the process.
Military tip: Find your passion again by thinking about why you decided to serve your country in the first place. Are those feelings still there? How can you apply them to your day-to-day work?
2. Learn to Love Your Coworkers
This can be tough, I know. Jill has the most annoying laugh you’ve ever heard and you’ve caught Bob leaving the bathroom without washing his hands. Obviously, the two of them should be shipped off to another department. I get it, but your boss probably doesn’t. It’s time to be the bigger person. Make an effort to get to know them outside the office by going to lunch, happy hour or out for coffee. As you find some common ground, the relationships with your coworkers will grow and working together will be easier.
Military tip: Plan a unit function to build camaraderie. You’ll get to know your coworkers better and if you’re in charge, you’ll take pride in the event and your work.
3. Use Office Perks
Does your company offer free childcare? Use it. Give away gym memberships for free? Sign up immediately. Provide free snacks in the break room? For the love of all things chocolate, please eat some for the rest of us. Take advantage of all the benefits your company has to offer and you’ll feel that much better about your 9 to 5 job.
Military tip: You’ve got access to free financial planning, discounted groceries and inexpensive theme park tickets. It’s time to put some of those perks to good use.
4. Work Toward a Promotion
If you’re unhappy with your position, but still love the company, consider working toward a promotion. Talk to your supervisor and see what you need to do to set yourself up for success. Then make a list of goals to keep yourself on track. Each time you cross an item off the list, treat yourself to a reward. Before you know it, you’ll have a renewed energy for your job and you’ll be that much closer to landing a new position.
Military tip: Hey, the same rules apply. Keep choosing those tough assignments and volunteering for extra duties. Just make sure your evaluation reflects how hard you work.
5. Change it Up
Give your office or cubicle a makeover by adding plants, changing out photographs or getting a new office chair. Quit drinking the lousy office coffee and invest in a coffeemaker for your desk. And most of all, change your attitude. The simple act of thinking positively about your job and work environment will make things better.
Military tip: You may not always work out of an office, but you can surround yourself with things that make you happy. Family photographs and a drawer with your favorite snacks are sure to boost your mood at work.
6. Take a Vacation
Did you know that 15 percent of Americans don’t use their vacation time each year? There’s a reason you earn vacation time – you need a break from work. Get away from your boss, coworkers and the daily grind. Turn on your out of office notifications and do not check your email while you’re gone. Unplug and unwind. You’ll be amazed at what a little time off can do to renew your work spirit.
Military tip: It may take some extra paperwork, but use your leave time. There are lots of discounts available and using MWR is a great way to plan a memorable vacation. And if you’re currently working overseas, make the most of your location and travel often.
If you try all of these tips and still find yourself looking for a way out, it may be time to find a new job. Believe it or not, a study found that 2 out of 10 Americans love their jobs so much they’d do them for free. Everyone deserves to be one of those two people (but still get paid, of course). Work to be happy at your job or find a job that makes you happy. You spend way too much time at work to hate it.
