photo credit: Zach Klein

“There is no duty which we so much underrate as that of being happy.” Robert Louis Stevenson (1850 – 1894), Scotland

1. Keep your expenses low!: I believe that finances is the number one reason behind lack of confidence and ambition, that people get stuck at a jobs they hate. People often increase there expenses when they get an increase in pay. This is a major mistake, especially when you are at a job you hate or dislike.
   The more you increase your expenses the more important your current job becomes. Or in other words they more your are dependent on that job. When you are at a job you dislike the goal should be to depend on that job as little as possible and maintain your flexibility so that you can accommodate other opportunities that are in your future. I know many people at work that are stuck because they can’t afford to take a paycut to go pursue their true passions. This is the worst position that you can be in and it can be totally avoided not growing your expenses until you have found something that you love to do.

2. Pick the right job!: Now this may seem ridiculously obvious, but I think it is work mentioning. I think that many of us sell ourselves short and are not picky enough when it come to choosing an employer. People should be as picky with an employer as they are when it comes to selecting a boyfriend or girlfriend. Set reasonable standards and stick to them. This will more than not prevent a situation where you are stuck at a job you hate.
3. Have an alternative plan and work it!: If you are not happy at your job you must have something else you are working on part-time that will lead to you being able to leave your current job. This sounds elementary, but in my experience people tend to sit back and hope that an opportunity will fall out of the sky and help them escape their daily misery. This will never happen! And no, you are not going to win the lottery neither! You need a plan and you need action. If your time is limited start with very small small steps. Your plan may take some time to execute but the alternative of doing something everyday you hate for decades is not one to be considered.
4. Network your ass off!: Many of us that work a typical 9-5 get caught up in a lifestyle that limits our ability to network. We go to work, come home, watch tv, & go to bed. Many 9-5ers don’t make time for a social life. You must get out there meet people and tell them what you are about. You will be surprised how someone you barley know can help and improve your career.
5. Never stop Job searching!: I believe that even if you are happy at a job you should always be doing some sort of job search. Job searching is especially salient when you are not doing something you like or have passion for. To many people adopt, what I call a “defeated employee” attitude. Know that you are valuable and that their are other employers seeking valuable employees. Never assume that there is nothing else out there for you. Keep your resume current and do a search at least one a week so that you are in tune with the current job market. You have to be in the game to win the game!