Mistakes You Make When You Dont Love Your Job - The Muse

Mistakes You Make When You Dont Love Your Job - The MuseMistakes You Make When You Dont Love Your Job Youd be lying to yourself if you said theres never been a day you walked into work and thought to yourself, I dont love this job, but its fine for now. You might also think that if you dont completely hate your gig, you actually kind of like it. Sure, theres nothing wrong with being content with what you do for a living, but if youre feeling sort of meh about your current job, youre probably making some mistakes that might be costing you a position you love down the line. For example, here are a few of the most common errors people who are sort-of-kind-of OK with their jobs make. 1. You Turn Down Networking Opportunities Too QuicklySome of you might be skittish about rocking the boat at your current company. And there might be a few of you who just cant find the motivation to meet new people outside of working hours. But in either case, its surprisingly common for folks who are OK wi th their current roles to turn down opportunities. Theres no point, you might say, Why would I go out of my way to meet someone for coffee when Im not looking? However, there are two things you need to remember. First, no matter what anyone tells you, networking meetings dont have to go on and on forever. But more importantly, you might be turning down a chance to hear about a more exciting job at a company youve always wanted to join. No guarantees, of course. But if you keep turning down your contacts invitations for coffee, youre only stunting your own career growth.2. Youre Not Looking Around at What Else Might be Out ThereIm going to let you in on what my life was like a few years ago when I felt that my job was not great, but fine for that period of my life. (Spoiler Its not very exciting). Id go to work, get through my to-do list, buchen dinner from the cafe around the corner from my apartment, and then go to bed at a not-so-reasonable hour. That was it. And for a while, I th ought I could stay satisfied sticking to that dull bung for a few years. The only problem with that thinking was that it would mean Id be sticking to that monotonous routine for a few years. And even though I liked the people I worked with, that was an incredibly sobering thought. But, for many individuals who are OK with their current job, thats an easy (and dangerous) trap to fall into. Im not suggesting that you throw yourself into an intense job search this second, but if youre not keeping tabs on what else might be available, you might spend way too much time feeling just meh about how your career is going. READY TO GO FROM A MEH JOB TO ONE YOU ACTUALLY LOVE?The only good answer to that is, Yes, of courseCheck out 10,000+ openings now 3. Youre Getting Down on Yourself Way Too EasilyOK, truth time. How often do you thank your lucky stars for the fact that youre at least somewhat satisfied with your job because you dont think you could do much better? I know the feeling all too w ell and believe me when I say I also understand how much it sucks. Why risk a decent salary and a routine youre somewhat comfortable with, especially if it means applying for (and possibly getting rejected for) different jobs, right? While its understandable to feel this way, you have much more to lose by not putting yourself out there for your dream job than you do by staying silent and trudging on in your current gig.Its scary, full of uncertainty, and could lead to what feels like a never-ending search. But even if your efforts dont pay immediate dividends, you are not just good enough. If youre not completely happy with what youre doing, you owe it to yourself to see if a more exciting company agrees with me about what you bring to the table. Hey, I get it. If life at work is comfortable enough for you, why would you tempt fate by starting to look elsewhere? And speaking of the job search, when has that ever been fun for anyone, right? However, as someone whos taken a few risks and finally landed at a place I love, I know that its ultimately worth the risk. Whether its because you lack the motivation or confidence in yourself to find something better, trust me- if I can do it, anyone can- and should.

8 Signs Youre the Toxic Co-Worker in the Office

8 Signs Youre the Toxic Co-Worker in the Office8 Signs Youre the Toxic Co-Worker in the Office Toxicity can transform an otherwise pleasant work environment into one in which productivity suffers, morale erodes and employees are looking for the first available lifeboat. Toxic bosses and co-workers can make or break an organization. We know who they are , as they typically make themselves easy to spot. But what if your company is staffed by a slate of seemingly awesome people? You might have lucked out, or perhaps your worst fears are finally being realized What if youre the toxic co-worker?Usually, youll have some sort of idea that youre disliked. But self-awareness is often lacking for many people. And in any case, stepping back and taking stock of your behavior at your workplace wouldnt hurt. It might help you identify some areas in which you could improve. That might mean working on your leadership or social skills, which are becoming mora and more valuable in toda ys job market.So how can you tell whether you are the toxic co-worker? Here are eight telltale signs.Do you always seem to get left out when lunch invitations are handed out? Or perhaps there seems to be some sort of gravitational phenomenon in the break room where everybody else finds a chair away from you. Take that as a hint. People might be avoiding you, and thats a sign. Of course, this sort of social ostracizing probably hasnt gone unnoticed. So if you find yourself in a lonely and frustrating position, examine your behavior. Work on building relationships with your workmates.Are you absolutely killing it at work, hitting all of your marks and leaving the rest of the rubes in the dust? Sure, thats a good thing, but you might need to figure out why nobody else can keep up. Perhaps your success is coming at the expense of everyone else. Are you taking credit for other peoples work, swiping ideas, etc.? Thats a sure way to cement yourself as the arbeitszimmer pariah.Instead o f focusing on your own success all the time, work on lifting up those around you, building camaraderie and trying different strategies. This is a great way to work on your leadership skills and actually show the higher-ups that you can lead. If youre universally loathed, youre going to run into the ceiling eventually. You wont be promotedinto a leadership position if no one respects you.If your life at work is starting to resemble that of a teenagers, you have some problems on your hands. Theres always going to be some level of drama. But if you truly want to be successful, youll ignore it. If you find yourself consistently at the center of some sekretariat spat , withdraw. Try to figure out what youre doing thats getting you into that position, and work on it.Leapfrogging off all of that office drama, if you find youre somehow always the victim, well, youre probably the problem. Stop playing the victim, and start solving problems. Change your frame of mind, and others will begin t o respect you more. Leaders dont get promoted for blaming all of their issues on others or on things outside of their control. They take the reins. Genghis Khan wouldnt have played the victim card, and neither should you.Have you ever voiced an opinion or idea in a work meeting that brings the conversation to a crashing halt? That probably means you havent been paying attention to your colleagues. You might feel like your idea was the best for the group. But if its met with confused looks and awkward pauses you likely havent been listening. Instead of handing down one seemingly great pronouncement, collaborate more with your colleagues to give and take ideas . Show you value their opinions, and theyll begin to value yours.The office shouldnt be all work and no play. Whod want to be in that environment every day? Taking a few minutes to share some personal news or show a funny cat video is one thing. But constantly hanging on someones desk rambling on about everything under the sun is another. If co-workers tend to run in the opposite direction to avoid being cornered by you and your chatty ways , youre probably bringing some level of toxicity to their lives. Save your chit-chat for the lunch hour or after work.Is it a given that youll be 15 minutes late every day? Do people not even expect a project from you by its due date, or do they avoid assigning you important tasks altogether? If your colleagues have given up on you doing things right, youre probably the toxic co-worker. You being unreliable frustrates everyone, even if it doesnt directly affect them. Its a matter of fairness. They got to work on time, so why should you get a pass? Hold yourself to the office standards to avoid being seen in this negative light.You might think its great that two of your colleagues pitched in at the last minute to help you get your work done. But outside of extraordinary circumstances, thats not normal. If everyone else can accomplish their workloads by themselves and only you receive help, youre probably seen as slow or untrustworthy.If your workload is unreasonable , you should present the issue to your boss and have potential solutions ready. But if people have to help you because your work is sloppy or sluggish, its up to you to shape up. Its not fair for your co-workers to have to keep an eye on you.This article was originally published on The Cheat Sheet . It is reprinted with permission.

How people living in cold countries survive the long winters

How people living in cold countries survive the long wintersHow people living in cold countries survive the long wintersWhenever I get sad about the upcoming long winter months in New York City, I watch My cousin Oskaar, the funny YouTube video of one Icelandic man explaining the difference between Icelandic and Australian winters to his cousin Dave, to put my winter in perspective.Its a beautiful day, in sunny Reykjavik at twenty minutes past three o clock Oskaar tells Dave in the video where he stands in complete Icelandic darkness. Can you landsee? No you cant see because its toodark.And yet despite these freezing temperatures and long stretches of darkness, Iceland, along with Norway and Denmark, consistently rank among the happiest countries in the world. As Americans prepare for our own winters, I thought it would be useful to look at how these happy countries absprache with annual extreme winters. Heres what I found.Stop complainingEnjoying months of short days and long nights begins with shifting your mindset. Instead of seeing winter as a prison sentence, see it as an opportunity. This positive mindset about winter was a reason for Norways low rates of seasonal depression, according to Fulbright American scholar Kari Leibowitz, who wanted to understand what kept Norwegians so happy.Leibowitz noted how Norway has ski season, festivals, and others community activities that make winter a cause for celebration.One of the things we do a lot of in the United States is we bond by complaining about the winter, Leibowitz told Fast Company. Its hard to have a positive wintertime mindset when we make small talk by being negative about the winter.To enjoy the dark and cold months, stop wasting your time complaining about the weather. Make a point to mark activities down in your calendar that will brighten your January - regardless of weather forecasts.Follow the Hygge lifestyleHygge, pronounced Hoo-guh, is a Danish winter philosophydefined as a quality of cozines s and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being. Being cozy can mean bringing out your fuzziest blankets or sipping your favorite hot beverage when youre outside in the snow. According to The Little Book of Hygge, 85% of Danes associate Hygge with candles. Danes believe in the power of mood lighting. The European Candle Associationreports that Danes burn more candles per person than anywhere else in Europe.But Hygge goes beyond the material world of coziness- its an atmosphere and an experience that anyone has the power to build. As Copenhagen-based photographerNana Hagelputs it,Hygge can happen when there are soft blankets and candles involved, but it has more to do with your mindset, relaxing and feeling comfortable with the people youre with, or alone.Hygge means that you prioritize making your harsh working environments as comfortable as you can with the materials and mindsets that youre given. It implies that you are prioritizing your mental and bodily health. Hygge is thought to be so restorative that Danish doctors have been known to prescribe it as a cure for the common cold.Bad weather can bring people closer togetherTime spent outdoors is a natural mood lifter, not just because sunlight has been scientifically found to make us happier, but also because it may force us to bond closer together. At least, thats the theory researchers studying Norways happiness are under. One of the editors behind the United Nations-backed World Happiness Report, John Helliwell, said that weather could be a contributing factor to Norways strong social bonds.There is a view which suggests that historically, communities that lived in harsher weather were brought together by greater mutual support, Helliwell said. You see this with farming communities as well, who will get together to pull a barn roof up. They dont ask about whos paying what. So the colder climate of the Northern European countries might actually make social support easi er.So go outside or head indoors, and change your preconceived attitudes about winter. See it as a time to strengthen friendships and make connections by warm hearths or out on the slopes. Weather should not hold you back from becoming your best self. As a Norwegian saying puts it, Det er ikke noe som heter drlig vr, bare drlig klr. Or There is no bad weather, only bad clothing.