Five Ways To Get Out of Rut in Your Job

Be it an unyielding superior or poor salary, the reasons for feeling miserable at work could be multiple and varied. But in a lacklustre job market, one can hardly hope to quit in the hope of getting something better. At such times, finding a mentor in your company, or taking a vacation to de-stress and introspect can help in deviating your attention from the vagaries of work. Anumeha Chaturvedi suggests how. 

1 Get Specific 

However tough things are, not everything about the workplace can be wrong, says Naveen Narayanan, global head of talent acquisition, HCL Technologies.“Give time to yourself to evaluate circumstances and identify specific things that bother you at work,” he says. “Once you have the problem statement, walk up to your colleagues for guidance and a way forward,” he says. 

2 Look for Solutions 

Instead of complaining about problems and running away, focus on finding solutions, suggests Narayanan. Marketing professional Shruti Sharma’s relationship with her boss was strained, and she reached out to seniors to understand what was lacking on her part and what she could do to build bridges. “These were people who had worked with him, and I got an insight into my boss’ working style. I could adapt myself accordingly this year,” she says. 

3 Distract Yourself Studies published in the book, ‘Wellbeing: The Five Essential Elements’ by Tom Rath  and James K Harter have shown that unhappy workers are at a greater risk of depression and heart ailments. “It might be worthwhile to go on a vacation to destress and energise,” says Sharma. She also relies on meditation and exercise, which calm her down and re-establish hope and confidence. 

4 Find a Mentor 

Lack of direction at work can also lead to dissatisfaction. Narayanan suggests looking for a mentor within your organisation. “It could be someone you admire. A mentor can be a senior person and not necessarily from the same chain of command. Mentoring helps in knowledge-sharing and professional development of an individual, increasing productivity and efficiency,” he says. 

5 Be Aware 

In a dismal job market, the chances of moving out for a better deal or offer are negligible. In such a scenario, it becomes important to stay abreast of market and industry developments. Often, gossip can lead one to feeling miserable and doubtful about surviving in an organisation. “Even if no one’s looking to hire immediately, talking to other people in the industry will help you gain confidence and a network, and establish whether the problems you face are inherent in your organisation or are an industry-wide trend,” says Sharma, adding, in case of the latter, worrying is uncalled for.

The Economic Times, Mumbai, 25-06-13