What to Do If You Hate Your Job

"I hate this job!" I wish I had a dollar for every time I've heard those four words. I'd be a multimillionaire. Well, maybe not, but at least a rich man. Then I wouldn't have to work where people complain about hating their job. Or anywhere else for that matter.

I've always wondered, if you hate your job so much you have to tell everyone you hate your job, why don't you just quit? I mean, why gripe about something you can change? So much in this world you can't change, why not jump at something you can chance when it comes your way?

One reason might be your fear of quitting a job--even a job you loath so much you're ashamed to tell anyone where you work. What's there to fear? All you need to do is tell your boss to take a flying leap into the corporate toilet and leave. What's so frightening about that? You've always wanted to tell your boss off anyway. (That's a million dollar complaint you can satisfy at the same time.)

Will it upset your spouse and kids if you quit your job? Do they enjoy you coming home with your shorts tied in such a big knot you're walking bow legged? Does your spouse enjoy getting his/her head bit off because you're so full of rage from your boss chewing on your butt?

Are you afraid of losing the almighty paycheck? Is your job the only job in the world that gives out paychecks? Will you croak if someone other than your present boss gives you a paycheck?

You complain you will have to take a pay cut if you get another job. Are you sure about that? If you find the job you've always wanted, your medical bills will go down due to less stress and your spouse will love you more when you don't come home and bite everybody's head off. Which means there's less chance of a messy divorce costing you thousands. That, alone, ought to be worth a small pay cut.

You think your boss can't get along without you? Believe me, if your boss couldn't get along without you, he wouldn't be the boss. There's always someone who can do your job. Your boss may not like that person as well as he likes you and maybe your replacement isn't as good at the job as you, but your boss isn't going to break down and cry his eyes out because you left. He'll just send his new peon home bow legged to bite off his/her spouse's head.

So I've convinced you to quit your job. What now? Get out there and wrestle up that job you've always wanted. How are you going to do that? How did you get the job you have now? You went on a hunting expedition--job hunting expedition, that is. And eventually you got hired or you wouldn't have the job you tell everyone you hate.

Maybe you really like your job--you just don't like where you're working or you don't like your boss. That ought to be easy enough to solve. All you need to do is find the same type of job with another company. You have the experience--flaunt it. Get another job and thumb your nose at your old boss! (Another million dollar wish satisfied.)

Now if you're the type of person who loves your job and loves where you're working, but say you don't just because you have to have something to whine about--I'm sorry, but you have a real problem and I can't help you. So don't tell me about it. I don't want to hear it. I've heard it enough.

On the other hand, not being able to dream about the dollar I'd get for every time I hear those four words would leave me broke in my dreams.