The Best Ways to Improve Your Relationship With a Job You Hate

From the moment someone first asked us what we wanted to be when we grew up, we were under the impression that our future career was important and something that defined us. So when, as adults, our career or a particular job does not live up to our expectations, it can lead to an unhealthy relationship with that job, which in turn can have a negative impact on our mental, emotional, and even physical well-being. health.

This isn’t exactly good news for our well-being, considering that only 28% of knowledge workers in the US have a healthy relationship with work, according to a new study from Hewlett-Packard (HP) . Luckily, you can make adjustments to improve this relationship, even if you truly hate your job. Here’s what you need to know.

How to improve your relationship with a job you hate

The consequences of an unhealthy relationship with work are so bad that 83% of participants in the same HP study said they would be willing to take a pay cut if it meant they would have more satisfaction at work. While many aspects of your job are out of your control, here are a few things you can do to improve your relationship with your work:

Find satisfaction elsewhere

Looking for satisfaction and meaning in your life? It’s better to find it outside of work, even if you don’t hate your current job. Make time for activities, hobbies, and people that you enjoy or that are rewarding outside of work, rather than seeking fulfillment at work.

Chat with colleagues

Sometimes the only thing that makes a terrible job bearable is having a work friend who understands exactly what you’re going through and can sympathize with you and/or look past the situation. Having someone to vent to, complain to, or joke with won’t necessarily make your work tasks more enjoyable or less boring, but it can improve your overall experience and relationship with your job.

Celebrate victories

Ultimately, you may not care whether your achievements at work will lead to your employer making money or advancing their career in other ways (other than the job security they may bring), but that doesn’t mean you and your colleagues cannot celebrate their victories . Whether it’s cake in the break room or simply congratulating a co-worker on a promotion, celebrating these occasions can help improve your relationship with your work.