Mary Poppins said "In every job that must be done there is an element of fun. You find the fun and *snap*! The job's a game." Although that may have worked quite well to convince a couple of kids to clean up the nursery, such an attitude hardly translates well into the corporate setting.

Putting up with a particularly loathsome task at work is something each of us may have to endure at some point. The lucky ones among us have infrequent bouts of hating the job. On the other side of the coin there unfortunate lot-those for whom the workplace is a continual source of torment and drudgery. There is a word for these people: civil servants.

Here are a few suggestions to keep from climbing those cubicle walls in a fit of desperation:

1. Find your "happy place"

Decorate your office or cubicle with anything that makes your feel calm, but avoid clutter. Hang a picture on the wall or something that provides a soothing distraction in those worst moments.

2. Laugh it off

Griping about the job to co-workers or commiserating is unproductive. This will only breed further contempt. If your company policy permits it, sign up for one of those joke-a-day emails. Alternatively, keep a perpetual calendar of your favorite comic on your desk-something like Bizarro, FoxTrot or even the time-tested Dilbert comics are excellent.

3. Make the most of your breaks

When you have a chance for a coffee or lunch break, don't spend it talking about work. If possible, don't even spend your break in your office. Go outside for some fresh air and a quick walk. Learn how to de-stress with a power-nap or some yoga.

4. Release some endorphins

If your company is large enough to have an on-campus fitness center, become a member. Take out your frustrations on the racquetball court, or sweat it out in a spinning class. The mood enhancing endorphins that are released with exercise may help combat the loathsome office activities.

5. Keep it in perspective

My dad once said that the my worst day at work will never be as bad as my worst day as a college student. Now that I've been a member of the work force for some time, I'm truly appreciating this pearl of wisdom he shared with me. A job is just that-a job. It's not an identity. At the end of the day, the job is over. At the end of every two weeks that job translates into a paycheck that can be used in any number of delightfully distractive ways-margaritas for example!

If the job is utterly unbearable on more than just a few occasions, then it's time to distract yourself by updating your resume. There's no reason to stay in a job that isn't appealing or fulfilling. Life's too short to hate work.

Learn more about this author, Lauren Beyenhof.
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