How to Act Like You Like Your Job

Most of us hate our jobs. And the few who really truly enjoy your jobs, well I'm happy for you. I only wish I could find something that would make me happy to do as a career. However, like most people I feel like I'm stuck in a dead end job where I just get yelled at by customers and those above me in the chain of yelling (For more information, consult Barney from How I Met Your Mother)

But how do I get though my day as a lowly meeting planner in NJ? How do I manage to not hate myself even though I take home less money (after bills and expenses) than most 10 year olds get in their allowance? Most amazingly, how is it that I give the impression that I actually like my jobs so I don't end up being punished by having to work over time and come in on Saturdays? Here are a few rules that I suggest you follow:

1) Don't blog about your job complaints.

- Let me say that again, DON'T COMPLAIN ABOUT YOUR JOB IN YOUR BLOG. It's no secret that a lot of companies look on the internet to see what their employees are saying about them. And if you have your name attached to it, there may be some trouble.

Now that doesn't mean that you can't complain about your job on the inner webs. There are several anonymous message boards where people from your industry or perhaps even your workplace complain. For instance, there's a message board that I use where not only do my co-workers complain but the customers do as well. Does our management ready it? You bet your bippy. But can they discipline anyone for it? No way, because there's no names or revealing information unless you choose for it to be there.

If you need to vent, vent. Chances are your bosses are as frustrated and fed up with everything as you are. Just don't do it where others know who you are and can pin it back to you.

2) No matter how much you hate your job, don't stop doing it.

- Yeah I know I know. I can't stand doing my job on a daily basis either. But consider this: I stop doing my job, it pisses off my co-workers, my performance goes down, and I get fired (note: This doesn't apply to CEOs. We all know they can get paid for doing absolutely nothing which is why I hate my job in the first place).

With this economy, it's safe to say that a job you hate is better than no job. Also, keep in mind if you get fired for performance, or for not showing up... basically anything you caused, in most states you won't be able to collect unemployment.

3) Learn how to act and say no.

- Fake it. There are a lot of people at my place who think that I actually enjoy my job. Only the people who are close to me know I don't. But if you say hello to your uppers every morning and pretend to put on that enjoyment no matter how fake it is, you won't be considered a "problem employee"

That being said, we all know the bosses favorites are the ones who get all the projects. Well, don't be afraid to pick and choose your projects! There's been a number of times where I've been presented with a project and said "Nope, no can do I'm too busy." Odds are you can find SOMETHING to justify it with. Of course on the rare chance you get a good project jump at it. That way, it'll still look like you volunteer for projects and you'll be on the uppers short list of people to give projects to. There's no harm in saying no.

4) Get a second job

- Odds are you need one anyway right? Make that second one something along your hobbies. If you like car, work in the local AutoZone. I like technology so I've applied to tech stores like Best Buy, Apple, Circuit City, etc.

And of course when I didn't get hired (because in an effort to cut costs, many retail outlets are taking on people who have 24/7 availability rather than can only work on the weekends or after 5pm) I act. In the end, it gives me something to look forward to at the end of my day. So therefore I can walk around with a smile on my face and nobody is the wiser.

*Here are a few quick, less serious tips that'll at least make time pass quickly

5) Drink too much coffee - It'll creep your coworkers out

6) Start a webcomic... I did *cough* http://menatwork.smackjeeves.com *cough*

7) Shamelessly plug your webcomic with your articles *cough* http://menatwork.smackjeeves.com *cough*

8) If you have free time, pass it with freelance work. You can always switch windows really quickly.

9) If you have too much work to do break it up during the day. You have 8 hours in your day. You can take a few minutes here and there.