Job fulfillment

I love what I do. I work as a pastor. It's a calling. It's a privilege.

Now, that's not to say that what I do is easy. It is not. There are some days I would rather be sitting on a beach in Florida, sipping sweeten ice tea and listening to the sound of the ocean.

I work with people.

People are funny, they always want to "sit in the front of the bus, the back of the church and drive in the middle of the road."

But to me, working with people, helping people, serving people, seeing people overcome difficult situations with the help of God is a thrilling thing.

A life fulfilling thing.

I heard one time that the secret to job success is finding something you like to do and then go out and do it.

However, realistically, not all of us "like" or "love" our jobs.

Sometimes, because of financial situations, or circumstances at the home, there are job decisions made that force us to work at a job that we don't like.

What do we do?

I found an article today that might help:

10 Tips for Coping With a Job You Hate

By Kate Lorenz, CareerBuilder.com

Having a job you just hate is never an easy thing to deal with, but sometimes you just need to grin and bear it until another opportunity comes along. Whether you're currently stuck because you just have to pay the bills or are holding out for the next great job, here are some things you can do to help you get through the day.

1. Set weekly goals for yourself. Sometimes it is easier to get through the day when you can keep your eye on the prize. Even if you hate your job now, there is something out there that will make you happy. Make weekly goals to help you find that golden opportunity. One week you might strive to send out five resumes or attend one networking event. Setting these goals will give you something to work towards.

2. Do one thing each day to help you reach your goals. You don't need to cross all your goals off your list every day, but you can chip away daily. When you get up in the morning, set a daily objective for yourself and make sure you achieve it. This will give you a sense of accomplishment and keep you feeling good about your progress.

3. Give yourself "me time" before work. Going into a job you hate will be worse if you get to the office feeling rushed, stressed and frazzled. Set aside some moments of solitude each morning. Develop a positive morning ritual. Treat yourself to a latte, get up early enough to read the paper, or just set your alarm to play upbeat music when you wake up. Improving your mornings can do wonders for your afternoons.

4. Create a diversion for yourself in the office. Does being in your office make you yearn for the outdoors? Are the incessant ringing phones driving you batty? Do something to brighten your mood while you're at work. Take in a tropical picture and use it as your screensaver. Buy yourself a "joke of the day" desk calendar. Plug headphones into your computer or bring your I Pod to work. Go out for lunch.

5. Use your time to develop your skills. Hating your job doesn't mean you can't learn new skills. Use your time to make yourself a better candidate down the road. If your company offers training courses, take advantage of them. Use downtime to learn something new on your computer. Pick up a management development book and read it at lunch. Turn this job into an opportunity for self improvement.

6. Blow off some steam. Most people have an activity that helps them unwind and get rid of tension. Go for a run after work, go swimming on your lunch hour, or take a nice long walk. Put this time on your schedule so you will have something to look forward to every day.

7. Treat yourself. To make up for your office misery, find little ways of treating yourself. Buy a good book to read. Treat yourself to ice cream. Rent a movie. Shop for a new interview suit. Plan your next vacation. Find out what makes you feel better inside, no matter what is going on outside.


8. Maintain your performance. It is important to continue to do your work and do it well, regardless of your current situation. Set personal performance goals. Then use the accomplishments in future interviews.

9. Keep your bridges in tact. It really is a small world, and you never know when you will run into coworkers from your past. Don't burn any bridges at your company because you are unhappy. Maintain your contacts and keep your relationships on a positive note. You might just need a reference or a good word from one of your colleagues in the future.

10. Realize that this too shall pass. Right now, it might seem like you will be stuck in this job forever. Keep you chin up and remind yourself that you are in charge of your destiny. Search internal postings for new positions. Start your search for a new job externally.

I trust that you have a great day at work.....