Answer These Questions Honestly To Find Out If It’s Your Job – Or Just Your Company – That You Hate

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Everyone gets fed up with work — it’s a part of our DNA — but if your morning routine involves hiding in bed until the last possible moment or contemplating calling out of work “just because,” it might be time to consider a career switch. Company culture, manipulative coworkers or awful bosses are just a few of the factors that make a workplace toxic.

But before making any bold moves, it’s important to reflect on whether its time to consider a brand new career or just look for a new place to work. As this Fast Company piece points out, sometimes it’s not the job or career that’s the primary source of anguish. It’s the work environment.

The author suggests that anyone who finds themselves stuck in a rut at work or unable to face the work day should answer these seven questions honestly to get to the root issues.

The first question relates to the actual tasks involved. “Do you like what you do?” FC suggests making a list of all the jobs you do in a day, a week or a year and deciding which tasks you like and which you hate. For the roles you hate performing, ask yourself what makes them so painful or arduous. If the answer is connecting to a demanding boss or needed the approval of five other staff members just to get any accomplished, you might not actually hate your chosen profession, only the hurdles preventing an easier run to the finish line.

“Do you feel a sense of ownership of your work?” is the next question that needs honest answering. Do you feel like you’re just going through the motions to get tasks done or do you genuinely see projects through to the end and feel good when a job’s done well?

The next question involves related working experiences and how your current job might mirror past issues. “Have you had the same job at other companies and did you dislike that job too?” If you’ve had the same job for different employers, there’s a strong chance you just hate what you do for a living. If you loved doing the job for a previous employer, ask yourself what about that company made the situation so much better.

The final question unhappy workers should ask about their job concerns the way they talk about the gig to friends and family. “Do you generally complain about work conditions or what you do?” If you find yourself frequently complaining about a job, what parts do you complain about the most? The position? Your boss? The working conditions? If you’re grumbling about everything except the actual job, it’s time to move on to a new company. If your bellyaching is about the position you’re paid to do, consider a new career.

Fast Company suggests a few more questions to answer honestly to get to the heart of the problem before quitting a job to make sure it’s not just the company causing most of the grief.

Chris Illuminati is a 5-time published author and recovering a**hole who writes about career advice, gear and occasionally pro wrestling. Follow him on Twitter.

Chris Illuminati avatar
Chris Illuminati is a 5-time published author and recovering a**hole who writes about running, parenting, and professional wrestling.