by Marianne Pelletier

Created on: February 03, 2007   Last Updated: October 28, 2010

If you are in a job that you can't stand, your first assignment is to start looking for another job. Don't let the pension, the piled up vacation time, or your short tenure there keep you in a job you hate. You will grow old going to work like that.

While you are actively looking, use this time to learn new management skills. If you hate your job because your boss is a jerk, read books on how your boss should be managing you. Ask for management coursework.

Reward yourself. If you find that you are drinking a lot or eating too much to compensate yourself for this job, then stop doing that. Instead, reward yourself with long walks in pleasant places, staying in bed on your day off, romantic time with your loved one, and new clothes, especially interview clothes.

Finally, take a look around at what you are learning. If you hate your job because you are bored, then read everything nearby to get a sense of how to run that business. If you hate your job because you feel penned into a cubicle, then decorate with something living. If you hate your job because it's repetitive work, then listen to books on tape or National Public Radio. Talk to the people around you to get their perspective.

If you hate your job because you sit near someone obnoxious, take that person to lunch. Maybe he or she hates the job, too, and you can cool down the anger.

Then get the heck out of there. Staying there leaves you feeling trapped, and that will depress you, and eventually even your vacations will not refresh you.

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