5 Ways To Cope With a Stressful Job You Can’t Quit Yet
Survival guide for making the most out of a miserable workplace you can’t walk away from just yet
45-Day Writing Challenge on Medium | Day 1
So I’m sitting here, writing the draft of this article on my lunch break #ILikeToLiveDangerously. 🙈
I may or may not have been inspired by my personal experiences to write this text — partially to vent, but mostly to offer support to others in this situation. Because if you’re anything like me, you most likely ended up finding this post after an incognito Google search during a particularly frustrating work day.
Are you on the fence whether or not you should finally put in your 2 weeks notice (or if you’re extra unlucky, 4 weeks or more)?
Are you tired of overbearing micromanagement, chaotic interpersonal relationships and a whirlwind of tasks that never seem to end?
Here are the top 5 ways I stay sane in an insane work environment when I would rather do anything else than be here:
1. Remind yourself why you are here in the first place
Let’s be honest, it’s money, most likely, but other than that what is your “Why” for being at your current job? Career advancement? It looks good on your resume? Or you simply like the pay and benefits, but the environment doesn’t align with your values? Remember there was once a time when you deeply desired to be in this position in the first place.
After going through tedious interviews, sent hundreds of resumes and cover letters, received a string of disheartening rejections you eventually landed this gig. And you were grateful and happy about it!
Of course, now that you’re familiar with the inner workings of your company and have spent some time in this position you have changed your mind and want out. But make sure your decision is driven by objective reason, rather than momentary frustration.
2. Learn to manage your budget and finances
It’s in your best interest to tidy up your financial situation before you make any sudden decisions. A drastic career move can undoubtedly shake up your budget.
If you’re living paycheck to paycheck and barely making ends meet it would be unreasonable to leave before securing a new job. However if it’s your salary that’s not meeting your needs, try to negotiate for a raise before jumping ship. Sometimes employers can be really out of touch with your struggles and might be willing to offer better conditions to keep a valuable team member.
Either way, always make sure you have at least a few months worth of savings as a backup plan in case of an emergency or prolonged job search.
3. Don’t leave without an exit plan
So you’ve made up your mind about quitting out and feel confident in your budgeting.
However your grand plan of what’s coming next is simply non existent. If you don’t have a financial cushion to fall back on in case of prolonged unemployment and don’t have a new gig lined up, you’re probably better off staying put until you figure out an exit plan.
There is one main difference between replacing a stressful workplace with a stressful job search — you have no income while unemployed. Lack of stability can potentially spiral in a personal finance crisis if you are not prepared for it.
Sit down and draft an exit strategy. Think about your “Why” about leaving and “Where” you want to see yourself in the next few years.
4. Change is good — but is it worth the risk?
We crave change. Transformation and growth never happen if we stick to our comfort zone and avoid making decisions.
But change is often uncomfortable, scary and carries unpredictable outcomes.
I found myself in a position where I knew I needed to change my job to be happier, but felt held back by doubts, fear of the unknown clouding my judgement. Fear is a shortcut to stagnancy, a path to regrets of missed opportunities later down the line.
If you are feeling uncertain about switching things up ask yourself these questions:
- Is there anything I can do to improve my current work situation?
- Am I financially and mentally prepared to make a job transition?
- What are the pros and cons of leaving or staying at my current position?
- Will I regret not taking a risk?
I recently shared my worries with my wonderful father (who has plenty of experiences working many jobs in his lifetime) and he told me:
If you don’t take a risk you’ll never know what amazing things might happen
Whenever I’m feeling defeated by circumstances and angry at where I’m at in the present, I take a moment to reflect on one of the lessons I learned while reading books on Stoic philosophy:
Why worry if you can’t change something and why worry if you can change it?
So I either reach a point of acceptance or force myself out of my comfort zone to initiate change.
5. Find meaning in your work
One of my main pain points at my current job is an overarching feeling of worthlessness. Why am I doing this? Is this helpful for anyone? Are my efforts all in vain?
Intermingled with imposter syndrome and plain boredom of the mundane, I found myself demotivated to show up at work because I felt a wholly lack of purpose to my tasks. Helpful and useful is how I’d like to be recognized as but I was stuck doing meaningless tasks that served the bare minimum.
A tiny cog in a machine that could probably continue working without issue if taken out…
Do you feel stuck in such a position? Before you quit your job, try to reflect on the purpose of your work, who does it serve, what is the end goal of your tasks. Will it somehow improve the life of others? Are your contributions recognized?
Sometimes we feel less worthy because we don’t feel seen by others. Talk it out with people close to you and if you feel safe about it, ask your teammates or boss for more consistent feedback and honest communication.
In Conclusion
Work is a crucial part of adulthood and in today’s economy it’s almost certain you’ll switch plenty of jobs in your lifetime.
The pathway to personal development and being a happier, more fulfilled self traverses crossroads of difficult decisions about when is the right time to quit your job.
There is no right or wrong answer as every situation is up to individual assessment, but it’s in our best interest to look out for ourselves, while still making rational choices.
Have you made up your mind about leaving your job? I know I have 😉
Disclaimer: This article aims to inspire resilience in those who are not ready to leave just yet. If you are in position where you are being put in unsafe working conditions, tormented daily by abusive boss or coworkers you need to leave as soon as possible. Mental and physical anguish are non negotiable deal breakers in personal and business relationships.
