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Recently I was asked by a journalist about staying sane in a dead-end job. The context was of course our struggling economy, with few jobs and the feeling of few choices in leaving work. While for some of us jumping into self-employment is an option [1], most of us need to make our jobs work for as long as possible. The problem is, what if you hate it? I've been thinking about this from my "life as a scientific experiment" perspective [2], and came up with a few ideas. Tell me what you think!
  • Cultivate your sense of humor. Actively look for the bizarre, the absurd, The Office-style nuttiness. It helps to record it in your personal journal. Have a daily routine: At the start: Prime yourself by asking "What funny things will I notice today." At the day's end ask, "Of today's events, what can I laugh at (if not now, then down the road)?"
  • Plan your break. Start the personal introspection self-discovery to explore what you'd love to be doing in the future, and begin putting a little energy into it. Read, start a blog, talk about it with loved ones, and make yourself the expert in a 100 mile radius.
  • Find more positive and fulfilling ways to contribute in the organization. Get creative - is the company cutting back? Offer to take on something you'd rather be doing, and make yourself indispensable. Or look for a lateral move - check out the company's job board.
  • Be social. Lots of studies show the healthy benefits of being with others. Do it appropriately at work (during breaks, say) and in the evenings and weekends.
  • Stay healthy. Stress hates exercise, so stay on top, and eat well.
  • Know that this too will pass. While it may sound trivial, everything has a beginning, middle, and end, including your current job. Nothing lasts forever.
  • Overall: BE CAREFUL what you say and record, though. You don't want to hurt feelings or risk your job. One of my TTL [3] catchphrases is "You never know." In this case, You never know... Who you might work with/for in the future. Or...?

I'm curious...

  • Did you ever have a "can't stand it" job?
  • How'd you stay sane?
  • What'd you end up doing?

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