If you find yourself dreading going to work every morning and hate the career you chose, you are certainly not alone. In fact, more than 70 percent of workers say they don’t feel satisfied with their career choices. And this satisfaction is believed to be the cause of many serious problems plaguing the population today. Alcohol abuse, depression, anxiety, and illness are all common issues that can be caused when people are unhappy with such a big area of their lives. Luckily, there are some things you can do to take charge of your life and combat this epidemic. And these tips will help you even if you don’t feel free to leave your current job just yet.
Build a side business
A common reason people hate their jobs is that they feel trapped. Maybe they are in a huge amount of debt from college. Or maybe they feel too old to make a change. Somewhere along the line, these people lost hope. But one way to get yourself out of a rut like this is to start your own business on the side. Give yourself something to dream and aspire to again that may one day free you from the job you’re currently in.
A side business is the best way to begin to edge your way out of a lousy career if you choose the right one. For example, you can start selling b stock supply (merchandise returned to stores) online, on sites like Amazon or eBay. Many people are able to scale this to a six-figure business quickly, but it’s also something you can scale as slowly as you want. You can even enlist the help of your family as a way of building something bigger for your future.
If you don’t like the idea of sourcing, storing, and shipping inventory, there are many other business models that you can try. Some examples are renting houses, freelance writing, landscaping, and tutoring. The key is to find what you like and are really good at and then find a way to make it profitable.
Go back to school
If you truly hate the career field you chose, why not embark on a new one? Contrary to what some may think, it’s never too late to learn a new trade, as long as you’re physically able to do it. Almost every college now has programs geared toward nontraditional students. In other words, they offer night and weekend classes as well as certificate programs that can be completed in less time. Ask the college counselor to let you take a career aptitude test if you’re really not sure what you want to do, then figure out exactly what it would take to get you there.
Get a hobby
It may sound trivial, but having a hobby can actually make you feel happier. For one thing, participating in creative activities you love helps to reduce anxiety. This, in turn, improves your health and your mental state, making you better prepared to deal with workplace stress. Participating in leisure events has also been shown to reduce blood pressure, lower cortisol levels, and help people lose weight.
Your hobby doesn’t have to be physical to improve your health, but if you’d like an added benefit, you can certainly look for a more active one. Learning something new is a good idea, as well. For instance, you might learn home improvement in New Jersey and spend some spare time fixing up your house. Or you might take up hiking and explore the terrain outside your city.
All the benefits of having a hobby ultimately lead to better work performance. This is because you will approach work more creatively and with a better attitude. And sometimes, that’s all it takes to make you feel better about your work environment.
