Whoever said, “Do what you love and the money will come,” probably didn’t have a family to support or kids to get through college during one of the worst economic downturns in history. Hey, we’re all for being happy at work, but since jobs have dried up faster than my contact lenses on a windy day, some people are forced to stay in less-than-fulfilling posts until the economy decides to do an about-face.
That’s not to say you have to rot in cubicle hell until the employment fairy comes along and raps you between the eyes with her magic stapler. Self-pity and passive attitudes seldom get you where you want to be. So to help you make it through your lackluster day without the help of meds or a three-martini lunch (both of which can be expensive, by the way), we offer six ideas to jumpstart your brain into thinking up new and creative ways to stay motivated in a job that doesn’t thrill you.
1. Focus on the Positives
Yeah, I know it sounds cliché, but you have to avoid getting sucked into a negative vortex. When you don’t like your job, it’s easy to pick it apart until there’s nothing left but a carcass of meaningless tasks. Not only does this not serve your emotional well-being, it turns you into the biggest workplace ass this side of Judas.
Make a list of all the things you do at work. Find the top three you enjoy most (or dislike the least) and focus on those. If possible, makes those your priorities and see if you can somehow either limit or even get rid of (delegate?) the tasks you truly despise. If you can’t think of even one job responsibility you like then…
2. Create New Tasks for Yourself
If you really dislike whatever it is you do at work, then figure out what you CAN do that sparks your interest. Go to your boss and propose you change your duties to include new and interesting projects. Be careful, however, about taking on more than you can handle. If your new duties are too time-consuming, then you also need to convince your boss to take something off your plate. Prepare your case ahead of time, giving good reasons (usually related to saving money) why you should get your way.
If your boss won’t budge and you’re still stuck without an emotional life raft, then…
3. Go Back to School
If you can’t be mentally stimulated at work, then give your brain a workout at school. There are so many choices now for night classes, college online, trade schools, etc., you’d be hard press NOT to find an educational program that fits your desire, schedule and budget. Plus, going back to school is a great way to network so when you do get that new degree or credential, you’ve conveniently met a lot of people who can help you find work.
And speaking of switching careers, going back to school doesn’t mean you have to leave your company to find a new job. Switching departments is also an option, so you might want to…
4. Get to Know New People at Work
If you work in accounting, for example, but you’d like to try your hand at marketing, then go schmooze with the fun kids in the marketing department. Getting to know people in other departments gives you insight into new jobs available within your company. Ask your new friends what it takes to break into a new department and work toward that (by possibly going back to school). NOW you have a goal that really gives you something to look forward to.
And if you STILL can’t find anything at work that lights your fire, then…
5. Get Involved with a Nonprofit or Charity
Nothing feels better than doing a good deed for someone else. Join a nonprofit board. Volunteer regularly for a cause that’s near and dear to your heart. And if your cause is nonpartisan, bring it to work. For example, with the holidays coming, start a Toys-for-Tots drive at the office. Get co-workers to join you in delivering Meals on Wheels. Or simply start an office fundraiser for a nonprofit group that everyone can get behind. This gives you something positive to focus on and makes you forget that your regular job is a snooze.
And if NONE of this helps, then…
6. Work Out as Often as Possible
Exercise produces endorphins, which in turn improves attitude. Join a gym and get on a schedule you can live with. If you’re a weenie about exercise, enlist a buddy to go with you (preferably one that won’t wimp out). If you already exercise then change it up. Join a tennis ladder, a softball team, or a bowling league. Exercise doesn’t mean you have to become a gym rat.
Until the economy gets back on track you may be forced to stay in a job you find so dull you worry your brain might turn to pudding. If this is the case, figure out your own ways to stay interested. Necessity was not only the mother of invention she was also the second cousin to ingenuity – a branch quite often overlooked on the (career) family tree.
So what are your secrets to staying interested in less-than-thrilling jobs? Tell us in the comments below!
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Whether you are new to the college scene or returning to continue your education, it is inevitable that there will always be class lectures. Our responsibility as a student is to jot down all the important points in order to be successful in the class. We need to be good note-takers for that to happen.
I know, taking notes is a very tedious task, but it is also a good way to obtain all the valuable information needed for tests and quizzes.
According to the University of Nevada, Reno, “to be successful, you must make what you hear part of your own thinking.”
Wow, right? This really hit home with me when I read this because obviously the only way you are going to really understand a lecture is if you take what is being conveyed at the time and indeed making it a part of your thinking. How can this be done? According to the University of Nevada, Reno, there are ways to be a successful note-taker. Let’s take a look at 4 ways you can take good lecture notes:
1. Be prepared to take GOOD notes.
Meaning, understand what topics will be covered before class.
2. Know your instructor’s teaching style.
Do they lecture right out of the book? Do they use a variety of sources that back up the text book? Etc.
3. Understand what you write.
If you just write down anything not understanding what it means, when you go to review your notes later, it may not make any sense, which can become a big headache. I have encountered this on several occasions.
4. Take your notes the same way.
If you stick to a note-taking system that works for you, most likely you will become successful in the class. If you change it up all the time, it might become confusing.
How about you? Do you have any note-taking tips that might be worth sharing with other moms wanting to take good lecture notes? I would love to hear from you.
]]>They believe that life is a party and they are hosting it. Yellows won't participate in class or other activities unless they believe that they are going to have fun. They become the class clowns. They like being the center of attention and need to be noticed and praised. They appear to be nonchalant about things, but nothing is further from the truth. They need attention.
Besides being fun-loving, these students are also very outgoing and have lot of friends. They are typically enthusiastic and optimistic, but they live in the moment. They are emotional and passionate. They look for adventures and they have short attention spans. They like to do things outside of the ordinary; this may include running through the halls, wearing outlandish clothes, drawing funny pictures. They can't sit still for long and they will choose friends who refuse to allow details from getting in the way of play.
They are unrealistic and disorganized. They are impulsive and can be too talkative, but have the ability to make stressful situations fun. For students waiting to receive their test, yellows might sing you the song that they memorized their information for the test with. Or they might go so far as to dress up in order to make the mood lighter. Professors may act like they disapprove of these actions; but deep down they are thankful for these fun-loving students because they make their class much more entertaining not just for the students, but themselves.
Yellows are completely unpredicatable, but they are exceptional at communicating. They can chit-chat with anyone. Friends come highest on the priority list, besides having fun. The reason behind this is the validation and approval they receive from friends which feeds their need to be popular.
Life in the classroom can be dreadful without one of these sunny personalities. They add the chocolate chips to the cookie batter. Although they are not commonly known as being the best students, they make the classroom experience much more interesting and well rounded because yellows play an important role in the workforce and our lives as a whole.