I hate my job! I am quite positive that you have heard this out of the mouths of some of your closest friends, family members, present co-workers, or maybe you have said or are saying this at this very moment. We all go through this phase at our places of employment–feeling stagnant, fed up, and just not happy with the department or organization that we report to on a weekly basis.
Feeling unsatisfied and unchallenged in your career is a common issue some of us face as individuals. Sometimes, it really is time for you to step up and step out and do something different. Then there are other times where we allow the environment that we work in to speak volumes to our hearts. Before we draft a resignation letter, it is important to answer two simple questions: Has my season here truly run its course? And am I offering the best version of myself to this organization?
The Truth
All jobs come with difficult people, someone difficult in leadership, disorganization and the list goes on and yet God still expects us to uphold a spirit of excellence. It is simple to love the lovable, teach the teachable, and even respect the people that respect you. But the real task is to still love, teach, and respect those that do not show any of those characteristics.
The reality is that the very reason we work is to pay bills. Our jobs allow us to provide for our families and while some people enjoy their jobs, the truth is many people don’t. In fact, most people dread Mondays and instead look forward to the weekends. According to Forbes, more than half of U.S. workers are unhappy with their current jobs. You are not alone in feeling unmotivated or dissatisfied at work.
Is the answer leaving your job? Not necessarily. A change in mindset might be the first step.
Be Grateful
Our frustrations stem from the distractions that we may encounter on a day-to-day basis such as complaining or lazy co-workers, intense workload, lack of organization, or lack of support from our superiors. In all these attributes that cater to our displeasure at work we must still possess the same character we had when we first got hired. Remember how excited you were when you initially started your position? There was a time when you really loved your job.
Get back to that place. Be grateful that you have a source of income that allows you to pay bills, buy groceries, help others, and even do things you enjoy like traveling and treating yourself to a Saturday trip to the hair salon or a new pair of shoes. We may not always like the job, but we can appreciate the part the job plays in bringing provision and enjoyment to our lives.
Attitude
Your attitude in the process is also essential while going through your process. The moment you allow your character to waiver once adversity transpires is the moment you have set yourself back. Remember that saying “Your attitude determines your altitude?” The only thing that gets in the way of our success is…us. Overcome that adversity, outshine those distractions, and don’t search for the results, keep your eyes on the process. Ultimately, in order to obtain the desire of your heart you must first learn to be content with where God had placed you. The promotion is not just monetary, educational, or career based; the promotion comes from within. Appreciate the process, perfect your performance, and enjoy the promotion because it’s waiting on you. Just remember to first wait on God.
Fulfillment
We can’t look to our jobs, our husbands, our children or social media for a sense of fulfillment–we can only look to God. Fulfillment has to do with filling complete and feeling accomplished. But many of our ideals on accomplishment are worldly ideals. We feel we are accomplished based on our wealth, status and followers. On the contrary, to God we are fulfilled when we make him Lord of our lives and our satisfaction comes from serving him and serving others. We are unfulfilled because we have a misplaced focus.
Affirmations
- I am well equipped to take on every obstacle that I face at work with a positive attitude.
- I appreciate the career opportunity I have been given.
- I will demonstrate a positive outlook and work ethic.
- I will look for opportunities to make my organization better and more efficient.
- I am an asset, not a liability to my organization.
- I have respect for leadership and honor their positions of authority.
- I am a servant in my place of employment.
- I am fulfilled because my fulfillment comes from serving God and serving others.
Find the joy in where you are right now! It may not be where you want to be or where you see yourself in the future but be grateful that you have a job and means to provide for your family. A grateful attitude will only increase your capacity to receive and propel you into your destiny!
