Goal
This week, I want to help you overcome your crappy job by offering three ways to improve your work performance.
Why Does Your Job Suck?
Why does your job suck? There are an endless number of reasons, aren’t there?
“In order to be successful in any undertaking, I think the main thing is for one to grow to the point where he completely forgets himself; that is, to lose himself in a great cause. In proportion as one loses himself in this way, in the same degree does he get the highest happiness out of his work.” – Booker T. Washington
If you’re like a majority of American workers, you believe your job sucks. Why does your job suck? Here are some popular thoughts:
- Your boss is an asshole – Your boss demands too much and pays to little. Additionally, he or she may also be rude and ungrateful.
- Your co-workers are idiots – Your co-workers love to gossip and waste time. Furthermore, they are incompetent and fail to perform their job correctly.
- Your job sucks – How can we count the ways? Customers are rude and demanding. Your work is tedious or pointlessly complicated. Whatever the case may be, your job is terrible, and you can’t stand it.
I’m not here to tell you all the points above are invalid. Instead, I want to refocus your mind on what you can control. Why? So you have the power you need to improve your environment or leave altogether.
You Are Responsible For Improving Your Work Performance
As with all things in life, you are personally responsible for making your situation better.
If you want to improve your life, you have to take responsibility for your work performance. If you only complain about your work, you’ll become embittered, distracted, and ungrateful. Such negative attributes will not give you answers.
Plus, do you think your job will become less irritating on its own? Or, do you really want to depend on your boss, co-workers, or customers to make your life easier? If you genuinely believe these people aren’t on your team, then why rely on them to improve your experience?
If you upgrade your attitude and skills, then you can leave a toxic environment behind or improve it for the better. This influence is real power.
Therefore, improving or leaving your job is on your shoulders.
How can I Develop Myself at Work?
Improve your work performance by controlling your attitude, upgrading your skills, and having a plan to leave.
Primarily, you have to develop your skills and refine your attitude to enhance your work experience. Unlike complaining, this enhancement gives you power over your future.
Here are the three things you can do to enhance your experience:
- Change your attitude and perspectives – Always keep a smile on your face by dealing maturely with your anger. If you can keep your emotions stable during hard times, you can excel in a challenging world.
- Become a linchpin – The more valuable you are, the more people will struggle to disrespect or disregard you.
- Develop a plan to leave – Always have an escape plan, no matter how bad, or good your job is going.
1. Change Your Attitude and Perspectives To Improve Your Work Performance
Control your emotions and you’ll improve your work performance.
“I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought; and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.” – G.K. Chesterton
Mainly, if you want to improve your attitude at work, then take stock of what bothers you. Once you understand your biggest annoyances, create a game plan for dealing with these problems. For example, if you have a co-worker who annoys you, then avoid them. Keep your interactions with them at a minimum.
The faster you can reduce what is bothering you, the easier it becomes to control your emotions. Why? Because constant stress and challenge make you weaker, but separation allows you to grow your emotional strength.
Further, avoid solutions that require other people. Focus directly on what you can control and work from there. Do you have a particularly chatty co-worker? Draw some lines in the sand. Let them know you have work to do, but you’ll be able to talk to them later. Always be delicate and professional. In the meantime, don’t waste your time, and you’re less likely to be annoyed with your co-worker.
Lastly, be honest. Are the things which bother you truly the end of the world? A messy co-worker is not worth the emotional anguish while an abusive co-worker needs reporting to HR.
2. Become a Linchpin And Excel At Your Company
Increasing your competence expands the options you have.
A linchpin is a necessary member of a team. Why should you become a linchpin? Because the more capable you are, the more choices you have.
Therefore, start your journey by understanding what your job entails. What do you do and what are your responsibilities? When you can define your role, you can focus on excelling at what you are being paid to do.
Secondly, earn skills outside of your job. Whatever your job involves, master those relevant skills. For example, if your job requires customer service, then focus on becoming more charismatic.
Furthermore, diversify your skillset by expanding what you know. However, stick to relevant skills. If you need to develop your charisma, don’t pursue farming to diversify your skills.
Lastly, you should remain grateful and generous. As you become more capable, you should be proud of your efforts. A positive attitude will keep you stable as you upgrade your work performance.
As stated before, the goal is to improve your job through your efforts. Becoming a linchpin gives you the ability to change your environment or make a plan to leave.
3. Develop A Plan to Leave To Give Yourself Some Hope
If you have a game plan, you will increase your hope. Hope is necessary for enhancing your work performance.
“Perhaps your challenge isn’t finding a better project or a better boss. Perhaps you need to get in touch with what it means to feel passionate. People with passion look for ways to make things happen.” – Seth Godin
You’ve improved your attitude and are working on developing your skills. Now, you need a plan to go. Some jobs simply aren’t worth holding onto: maybe you aren’t being paid enough, or the environment is too toxic. In these cases, you need to get out.
Firstly, figure out where you’d like to go and if your destination matches your skills. Happiness is where your desires and your skills meet.
Secondly, start the interview process. Use your free time to schedule interviews and reach out to people. Update your resume and apply to jobs through relevant job apps.
Lastly, haggle and try to find the best place that will give you what you need. Remember, you don’t want to end up in the same place, working for the same type of people. Be direct about your expectations and needs.
When you leave your job, always leave graciously. For example, I’ve left some companies and have been laid off from others. I’ve done my best to keep a level-head, remain respectful, and leave with my dignity and reputation intact.
Should you have a plan to leave even if you like your job? Yes. Nothing lasts forever, and when we are prepared, life doesn’t hurt as much. Therefore, you should keep your options open if things fall through at your job.
Want To Be Happy? Improve Your Work Performance
The sky’s the limit. Improve your work performance and you will live a better life.
“All happiness depends on courage and work.” – Honoré de Balzac
I’ve worked terrible jobs. My initial response was anger and hostility. However, when I focused on controlling my emotions, people treated me better. When I shifted towards expanding my skills, I became a necessary member of the team. I never stuck with the job, but improving what I directly controlled ensured my workdays weren’t horrible.
Individualism is about personal responsibility, which is why no one likes it. Your life is your responsibility. Your job sucks for a variety of reasons. However, if you focus on fixing what you can, you will have the strength to seek better opportunities.
Actionables
- What are some bad jobs you’ve had in the past? How were you able to get out?
- Are you stuck in a bad job? Do you believe the steps above can help you leave? If yes, then how would you implement these steps?
- What’s your dream job? What skills and abilities do you need to excel in your dream job?
Please remember that it’s important to do the actionables. You’re not on this earth to simply read but to do. To become an individual, you must act more than you consume.
*Image credit to Unsplash.
