To ask for your tips on coping with a job you don’t like?

[PasstheMaple]

NC-Ed for this as I am a bit … ashamed? at how much I dont enjoy my job. I always used to love my work and felt like it was a big part of my identity. I was excited to talk about work and always interested in other people’s jobs too.

now, I just feel … meh. I don’t care about work. My current job has an impressive title but in reality it’s just middle management boredom - emails, meetings, emails, meetings. I don’t feel like I do anything meaningful or purposeful. My colleagues are ok but no one I’m close to. Obviously I’m looking for other jobs but there is not much about at the moment. I’m the breadwinner so the reality is I need to suck this up. It’s not like it’s that bad- it’s just not good.

so, I wanted to start a thread asking for people’s tips about how to cope with a meh job. So far:

• i have a cup of tea outside every morning before work, so even if I’m stuck in meetings all day I at least get some fresh air
• i have no meetings after 5pm so I can spend the last hour at work sorting emails and admin for the next day

anything else?

Leave - it's like relationships, once the resentment sets in you can't claw back the spark

I will leave, but I work in the public sector and there’s basically no movement until after the election - all spending plans, recruitment etc in my sector is on hold while we wait for a new directoon from govt

the reality is my family needs me to work and I don’t have a lot of options other than to stick this out for the time being

It’s just a job. That’s all I think about with mine. Go in, do it, go home. Get paid.

Non of my goals or aspirations in life are work related. I work to earn enough cash to be able to do the things I like to do.

Hobbies!! Doing stuff after work so it doesn’t feel like all you do in one day is work!
Have things to look forward to. These don’t have to be big or spendy! Just knowing that you have something planned after work or on weekends.

Do the bare minimum in work. You’re just a number and very replaceable.

The 9 to 5 pays for the 5 to 9.
It's a means to an end, so try to tolerate work and really enjoy your free time.

I've been there.
Give yourself something to look forward to when you finish for the day. Some small treat.
Keep in mind you are just there for the pay and remind yourself that it's a temporary measure.

Make sure your life has plenty of purpose outside of work, make plenty of time to do things you enjoy, whatever that may be.

Set solid boundaries so you don’t spent a minute more in work than you need to. No meetings after 5pm is a really good start. I’d also make sure you’re taking your full lunchtime, and if you WFH make sure there’s a clear boundary between work and home e.g. working in a home office where you can shut the door on it at the end of the day, or even just putting your laptop away at the end of the day so you can’t see it. And don’t have work emails etc on your phone.

Tell yourself it’s only temporary, and you’ll find something else soon - good luck!

WFH as much as possible

Work your contracted hours only

Look for jobs you'd like to do in the future and start constructing your competencies now

Can you make your job meaningful and purposeful?
Make it your mission to reduce the number of boring meetings.
Or make them shorter.
Talk to people you don't know.
Form links with other departments.
Make it your mission to work the title of your favourite books into emails at least once an hour.
Wear headphones.
Start a correspondence course that will help you get a new job (and do it during work hours).

Ask your boss for more interesting work.
Plan all your holiday outfits on a spreadsheet (I had a boss who did that).

These are excellent, thank you! I love the idea of planning my holiday outfits on a spreadsheet

When you are having your cup of tea outside in the morning, try to use that time to do a bit of mindful thinking.
Think about your day ahead, but think about the entire day. A lot of people only think about the work day, but if you reflect on the rest of the day too the work part is put into perspective. So reflect on the work you will be doing, also reflect on the time you will spend with your partner (and anyone else), the food you will prepare and eat, the exercise you will do, the relaxation and fun you will have, the TV or reading or music, the plans you will make or tasks to complete.
If you're having that cup of tea at 9.30am, there will be perhaps seven hours of work ahead, and there will be another six or so hours of non work after that. Try to think about both and keep that work in perspective.
And remember, the job might be boring, but it's a means to an end. It's a way to earn money. It's a stepping stone to another job. If no movement until after the election, try to think what you could achieve personally and professionally in the months until that point. What extra skill at work would help you into a better job? Pick something and plan to spend a certain amount of time each week learning it.

A heartfelt thank you for all of these tips, I am going to try them this week. I am lucky to have a job and an income, and if I can change the focus of my life so that work is not at its centre, then I am in a really fortunate position.