job happiness

[pinkcandy]

is anybody actually happy at work? i have had 3 jobs in the last 4 years and have never really been happy in any of them (whihc is why i keep leaving) i mean i know no one is perfectly happy at work but surely u shouldnt be really miserable every day...? is this normal?

[parkers]

You sound just like me 8 months ago, I am 28 and have had in excess of 15 permanent jobs. I found that I did really well and was happy for a maximum of 3 months, then I would lose interest, start slacking in my approach and was either asked to leave or was tempted by the next offer. I finally realised 3 months ago that I have got to grow up and face up to responsibilities, I firmly believe that you decide your own fate..

If you are truly unhappy in your job then it is time to move and start a fresh, or start again in your present role...then make the most of every single day. For the 1st time in my life I am happy in my job and have been for the last 7 months, purely because I am making sure that I don't moan, don't make enemies, enjoy all situations, even the boring times... My job is very pressurised and can be really tough. But, I spend 9 hours a day here so I am making the most of it.. Do something different each day, talk to different people, pay a genuine interest in other people and they will in you... !!

Hope that may help you...

[pinkcandy]

Thank you, i will try for a new start here and maybe it will help

[parkers]

I hope it does...

Life is too short to be unhappy.....

Good luck !!

[Mistopheles]

I love my job. I've only ever had one job I hated, which I quit after a month - life is too short to hate a third of it! I have the odd bad day sure, but on the average day, I can't wait to get started. My mum works for the National Trust, and actually gets miserable when she has to have time off! (I'm not that mad).

I'm a mystery shopper at the moment; previously I was a karate instructor and loved that too (most of the time anyway).

Change your job. Scary, but so worth it.

[lady_p_gold]

Are you a happy person in the rest of your life ??? I think some people are happy no matter what they do and they are fortunate ... or maybe you are just not in the right field - don't stay if you really hate it as the others have said.

[pinkcandy]

My mum died this year but apart from that I'm generally a happy person who tends to look on the bright side. i think I am in the wrong job, i sort of got pushed into this career (accounts), I'm much more of an outdoor/animal type person. Unfortunately i have already done 3 years of training and am on a fairly good salary, i have a mortgage and bills now and cant afford to take a drop in salary and so am too scared to try anything else as i would be starting at the bottom and not able to keep up with my bills....

Any suggestions?

[ursula62]

Why not look into doing a part time qualification in a subject you're interested in? Try the Open University, or various correspondence colleges - google can help with this. Just type in distance learning and the subject you want to learn. Lots of e-learning companies have their prospectus on line so you don't even have to wait for the postman.

If you're interested in doing the RHS horticulture exams, try this link: http://www.learningcurve-uk.com/gardenschool.htm

[Rach4018]

I to work in accounts and i am totally bored, i moved jobs a few times and still find it completely boring and hate it. But i've come to accept that i like the money and the people are nice so i get on with it. Now i've finished my exams i tend to do lots of courses and stuff in my evenings to make up for it.

[Polotoo]

I'm happy at work! Maybe its your role thats the problem rather than the firm itself. I changed jobs 9 months ago and haven't looked back.

I hated where I was before, but have really fallen on my feet. Sometimes you have to do something you hate to find out what you like!

Can you speak to your manager and see if you can get involved in other areas or departments? In my company we are very keen to retain our talent and will move people around from department to department wherever possible. As parkers says life is too short!

If you know you can't move round the company and you can't afford to leave and do something else, then do as ursuala says-do another course or what about voluntary work to get some experience?

They're are other options....... you don't want to reach 65 and think .... why didn't I....?

[mydogsandme]

I'm mostly happy in my work in childcare and even happier in my other job in my spare time- I'm a face-painter! I get to go to parties, meet lots of people, be creative and eat cake!

[yummy]

I have been in banking for just over five years now. I'm 21 and started working when I was 16. I love it - thank God, I am progressing each month!

[Steve_Luts]

I'm happy at work, I'm an IT freelancer, but I've been on the same project with the same company (BMW) for nearly 8 years. After lots of dissatisfaction with other jobs, I feel I've found my niche - I genuinely enjoy my work and never dread going in. I think its a combination of a great bunch of friendly people, an employer who treats people well and some interesting work that keeps me thinking like that. The pay is good too - strangely not many people leave!!

To answer your question, its not normal to be miserable EVERY day at work. Granted you are probably not going to be skipping through puddles in excitement every single day, but there are those jobs out there that can give you some fulfillment in the 40hrs a week of wage slavery that most of us have to endure. Its an over-used phrase, but my opinion on this really is "life's too short" - I know that after I found a good gig I was very annoyed at myself for sticking with a cr@p one for so long. Whatever you decide, I wish you the best of luck.

Cheers, Steve