Danielle, I'll respectfully disagree.

I currently live in a big city, with lots of opportunities. I left a 6-figure job because I couldn't stand one person who had a direct effect on how well I could or couldn't perform. My Dad about freaked out.

Prior to this position, I lived in a very small town. I hated my job (and was making about 60% of the other job mentioned), but didn't really have a choice; the job market was so tight, there weren't any other options. Most supervisors (regardless of business, i.e. retail, factory, etc.) knew how tight the job market was, and treated the employees accordingly; if you don't like it, don't let the door hit you where the Lord split you. Not as motivational as one might think.

Yeah, I could've moved (and finally did), but that's easier said than done. I was single. If I had a wife and kids and substantial roots, I would've stuck it out and probably whined about it all the time, like 80% of the people in that town. I also don't think that my small town was (or is) the only one with that sort of job market, and relationship between management and labor.

As usual, there's more to it than 2 concrete answers (stay or go, yes or no, etc.). Just my .02

Dan

I work for myself, I'm a good at bossing myself around, lol.

Employee need inspiration and encouragement now and then.

That's it! I quit!

Aaron, that is so true.

I've worked at the same place for 2 years, and whilst I enjoy my company and have a good working relationship there is always alot of bitching & wining about how things should be done.

I just suppose that it helps people get through their days if they hate their jobs. But my advice has always been: "If you hate it that much: leave!"

To like what you are doing is something else than to like your job. It is important to like your profession. Job is just the choice, where you are going to do your profession. It is not so difficult to change job, it is much harder to change profession.

i just resigned from my job last week...and i'm so excited that i can finally do the things i like...can't wait til my last days at the office!

Hey Life is too short to be in a job you hate.

I am working my last week at my job and I am also excited. At some point in your life you realise you have to put you and what you want first and there is no point pouring your time and effort into something that is not giving you what you need to be happy in your own life. There are a lot of things that make a good job and not all of it is money. I've had jobs that paid awfully but were interesting and fun and worth every minute I invested in them. Then there's jobs who pay insanely well that I would never even dream of doing. As long as you know why you are doing what you are doing and it's giving you something worthwhile, then it's a good job. Otherwise, it's a bad job.

You become like the people you hang around with.

Make sure you hang out with people who you want to be like.

James

I found this article the other day, on what makes you happy at work:

http://finance.yahoo.com/expert/article/careerist/29697

To summarise part of it, evidence suggests that on the whole making a friend (or even better 3 friends) at work can turn a bad job good and make you happier outside of work.

I really seem to follow the arctype of "Self-actualization" as was described, i wonder if that is natural. By which i mean, it reads like a "Cold Read" in that it reassures and plays on the view one wishes to have of one's self, so we tend to accept it?

Do other folks around her feel they are "Self-actualization ?"

Glory
-- Tago

http://www.RossJeffriesSpeedSeduction.com/

As a former supervisor, I never understood the whining. If you don't like your job, get another one. No one's holding a gun to your head to stay anywhere - that's the beauty of freedom.
Why do people revel in whining and bitching like it idenitfies them as a more important person with more significant problems? I think most people stay in jobs they say they hate, when in fact, they love to whine about it. They'll do it anywhere. My reply - I'm not here to listen to your whining, dude, I'm here to eat a piece of cake, so please shut up or grow up, whichever comes first.

As a former supervisor, I never understood the whining. If you don't like your job, get another one. No one's holding a gun to your head to stay anywhere - that's the beauty of freedom.
Why do people revel in whining and bitching like it idenitfies them as a more important person with more significant problems? I think most people stay in jobs they say they hate, when in fact, they love to whine about it. They'll do it anywhere. My reply - I'm not here to listen to your whining, dude, I'm here to eat a piece of cake, so please shut up or grow up, whichever comes first.

It's a nice feeling to move from doing what you have to do just to get by to being able to choose what to do.

Danielle: I think a lot of people stay in bad jobs because the thought of leaving scares them. This could either be because they are treated so badly in their job, they begin to think they are not good enough to get another one or because they are worried about the risks entailed of leaving the "devil you know". I think you'll find that if you confront any of those people and ask them why they don't leave their job, most of the things they'd come back with would be along those lines.

Danielle,
One key component to an unhappy employee is always the supervisor/manager. Not trying to pick a fight here, but the greatest supervisors/managers first understand that an employee is unhappy, then listens to the employee and works towards a solution. You go through this process with an employee and most of the time they will feel like they have someone on their side and will feel better. If they truly hate the actual work they are doing then, again, as a good manager you should help them to feel secure and comfortable finding another job. Hell you should even help them.

My two cents.

Scott

Don't whine about your job, it doesn't get you anywhere and nobody likes a whiner.

If there is something you think you can contribute to your workplace to make it better, then make your contribution in a positive way through the proper chain of command. A practical solution to a problem will go a lot further than griping and whining about a problem.

If people aren't happy at their jobs, they can go find another one. Do what you love to do and you will never work a day in your life!

Hard work and creativity never got fellow employees gossiping with each other it just gets them fearful of their job security. Stand out and be the best you can be even when you are busing tables so you can soon be the best waiter in the place.

Your work is you signature and so is your play. So, sign well.

Shimrit:

Joan Baez once said, “Action is the antidote to despair.” No one should feel that they have to stay in any situation due to fear. This is a false attitude of “victimhood”, and not as a proud “victor” of their own life. In the end, your life is a reflection of the choices that you make.

Dan:

Remember that no one affects your emotions without your permission first. There will always be someone in the workplace in every company, in every city and state, that you or I both won't get along with. Half of what life is all about is learning how to get along with people you don't like and getting through the day, even when you hate your job. I’ve been there myself! However, I think it is irresponsible and immature to whine to a customer that is supposed to be tipping you!

Scott:

I am specifically talking about those with one role in mind - the unhappy bunch that will whine about everything, not matter what has been solved in addressing it. There have been many former employees that have had legitimate complaints and after the issue was rectified, it was gone. However, there are some that you can never make happy, no matter what you do – it’s as simple as that.

Great post Aaron. I feel really bad for all these people who are unhappy jobs.

Doing your own things and surrounding yourself with smart and motivated people is one of the best ways for own personal growth and with it growing your business.

If you are not happy with your job, take a few steps back, evaluate your reason and find a solution. But, do not ignore it or you may end up with a stomach ulcer or a back ache, no job is worth your health. If you are working a job that you find rewarding or pleasing to your interests, consider yourself fortunate. If not, then realistically, start exploring until you do. Sometimes, it is the environment that will encourage you. If you like what you do, then change your environment or your attitude towards it. Change the situations you are able to change and wake up in the morning eager to go to work. The United States is one of the very few places in this world where you can end a career and begin another with many resources available for you within reach.