If you hate your job, it could actually be a good thing. Employees that are able to solve problems in the trenches are the ones that are seen as being valuable and are more often considered for promotions.
June 14, 2006
Calgary, AB –- Although many employees simply dream of leaving a job they don’t like, the smartest decision may be to look at the situation as an opportunity for advancement.
The work environment is one of the main factors in whether someone likes their job or not. When people find that their co-workers are dysfunctional and the processes don’t make sense, they can end up hating where they work. Part of the problem is that they feel powerless to make changes and simply start looking for a new job. “Employees have far more power than they think,” says Catherine Pratt, founder of the web site, Life With Confidence (www.Life-With-Confidence.com) and author of the new ebook, “The Power of Frustration”. “The employees are the ones in the middle of the problem. They are far more likely to be able to see where improvements can be made. Management doesn’t have that access.” To take advantage of the situation, Pratt suggests the following:
1. Stop waiting for someone else to fix the problem - Don’t simply expect your boss to handle issues. If you can suggest solutions then you’re not only solving your own problems but you’re going to be viewed as a valuable employee. Realize that you’re not helpless. You’re in complete control of how you view the situation and how you handle it.
2. Figure out the root cause - For the problems you see occurring, try to find the root cause of the situation and don’t get caught up in fighting the symptoms. For example, if the phone’s ringing off the hook, your first thought might be that your company needs to hire someone. This probably isn’t the best solution and in most companies there aren’t extra dollars in the payroll budget. A better solution would be to track all those phone calls and determine why people are calling. Are most of the calls related to: the business hours, people unable to find product information, people trying to book appointments?
Once you know this information, you can find alternatives for customers without having to use the phone. Could the information be posted on a web site, are there brochures you could use, is the information people are receiving too confusing? Or could the problem be alleviated by streamlining a procedure to be more efficient?
3. Watch Your Own Mindset - Don’t let the negative people bring you down. Just because everyone is unhappy doesn’t mean you have to be. Be aware of your own thoughts, are they positive or negative? Negativity quickly spreads from one person to another. If you constantly complain to others about how bad it is, then you’re part of the problem. Management is looking for those employees that can come up with solutions. They’re the ones that are going to get promoted, not the ones that do nothing except complain.
As Pratt adds, “Whether you love your job or hate it is really going to depend on how you view it and what you’re willing to do about it.” Look at it as an opportunity and it might be that ticket to move up the corporate ladder and get that bigger pay check. For more tips and strategies on how to turn around any frustration to your advantage, you can obtain a free copy of “The Power of Frustration” at http://www.Life-With-Confidence.com/power-of-frustration.html
About Life With Confidence:
Life With Confidence is a web site devoted to helping you achieve more by providing practical yet powerful articles, tips, and strategies on building confidence in yourself, your work and your personal relationships. For more information, please visit www.Life-With-Confidence.com.
Contact:
Catherine Pratt
Life With Confidence
403-253-5360
http://www.Life-With-Confidence.com
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