Miserable at Work

You spend massive time at work, work gives you status, your income comes from your work, the income supports your family, and most of your problems come from work.

You work with demanding customers, coworkers of all cultures, political persuasions, religions, strange foods, irritating manners, and all types bosses that range from smooth salesmen to irrational dictators.

Most people do not get fired from jobs for incompetence. They wear out their welcome. Poor attendance, regularly coming in late, leaving early or at the minute, maintaining the welcoming attitude of an ogre or at least the neighborhood grouch, and eventually being left out of the daily give and take. Job performance of course follows this attitude with missed deadlines, sloppy work, and others beginning to take over your workload.

How We Get Miserable

First of all, remember when you got the job? You wanted it, begged for it and said “Pick me, Pick me! I will do a good job.” Think how thrilled you were to get your job? Were you ecstatic? Proud? You told everyone about your new job and company.

Gradually thing are not as new and fresh. There are problems. Grumpy coworkers, complaining customers, poor suppliers, and a ton of attitude. After a while, you’re now complaining about the alarm, the commute, the grind, the workload, his mess, her perfume, the weather (even though you work inside), the politics, the decisions, the demanding customers and the boss. What don’t you complain about?

Now you are in the rut that leads to getting passed over for new assignments, raises and promotions. The downward spiral gets worse when others are getting ahead and you stay right where you are. Be honest, are you thrilled with your performance.

You can be Happy at Work

Look for where you can make a difference. How are the customers happier? How are sales increasing? What you accomplished?

Fall in love with your profession again. Read business journals, magazines, and websites. Compare your products and services with competitors and see where you can improve. The difference between top performers and the average is top performers often give 1% more. Brian Tracy points out the difference is less than you would think. Persistence, service and a little extra often make all the difference.

Mentor coworkers, especially newer employees. They will appreciate the help and you will not believe how much you learn teaching.

Create business relationships. Let other people be right. Respect their contribution and ignore their unimportant shortcomings. Who is perfect? Learn about your coworkers and find out what you can respect about them. The biggest donor to charities at a small plant I worked with was a third shift machine operator who had adopted four kids. Would have never know him if I did not volunteer to help a charity drive. Take pride in where you work, and who you work with.

Have a little humor when things don’t go right. Humor often makes the daily trials livable. Laugh at yourself. In this politically correct world, you can always make fun of you, and others will love you for it.

You will be surprised in a few months how much more fun and productive work is with the right attitude. So go and enjoy work, and start looking forward to Mondays.

Wolfgang Christoph, Brian Tracy and Dr. Roberta Shaler deserve credit for the ideas presented in this article.