I hear it all the time. “My job is making me crazy!” “I have a boss who drives me nuts!” Plus all kinds of things about the most annoying coworkers you can imagine. And I do have articles with tips that might help. But sometimes, you just need a safe space to talk about what you’re really feeling. Especially when you need to vent about what’s going on at work.
So that’s why I’m writing this. For you. So you can share what’s really driving you crazy at your job. And, as others add their comments, to see what other people are going through. Especially if, for whatever reason, you can’t leave your job yet. Sometimes just knowing we’re not alone can really help!
Reasons job is making you crazy
I’ve been a coach and career blogger for many years. During that time, I’ve heard all kinds of reasons why people are so miserable at work. Hoping it might help you, here are some their mini stories:
- I feel invisible, even though I know I’m doing a good job. But no one seems to notice or appreciate my efforts.
- No one takes responsibility around here. Why am I the only one that sees the problems?
- My boss screams at me all the time. But when I try to tell him why he’s wrong, he gets even madder!
- My coworkers are always trying to make each other look bad. And I get caught in the middle when they ask me to take sides.
- I just feel so miserable all the time. Nothing I do seems to matter. And my boss doesn’t notice anything I do.
- My boss plays favorites. Just because I’m not willing to brown-nose him, I get left out of the more interesting assignments.
- I’ve been doing the same boring work for what seems like forever. And I don’t see any way out of this if I stay here.
- Everyone else seems to get promoted and rewarded in some way. But even though I work hard (harder than most), make all my deadlines, and get decent reviews, I don’t get to advance in the company.
Do any of those sound familiar?
What else is making you crazy?
In most cases, when a job feels awful, it’s because of a few different things:
- You don’t feel like a vital & appreciated part of the company’s mission.
- Either you’re not getting enough money / rewards or there doesn’t seem to be any way to advance that will get you that.
- Your connection to your boss and coworkers is limited.
- You’re not getting to use your best skills and talents.
- Too many days of doing the same thing without any more interesting stuff to shake it up.
So, if you say “my job is making me crazy”, what exactly does that mean for you? And what kinds of things might help change the way you feel about work right where you are?
I’d love to read your thoughts, personal stories (anonymously), and / or anything else that will help you feel better — even if only until you can get to a job you actually like. Or, until you can find a way to make THIS one better!
EXTRA: Boss Treats You Badly? It’s Not Your Fault!
More articles to help
5 Questions To Ask Yourself If You Hate Your Job
Real Problem (Maybe) If Your Job Feels Wrong
How Changing Your Attitude Can Change Your Job!
How To Change Your Job Without Quitting
Trapped In a Job You Can’t Stand?
7 Reasons We Stay In Bad Jobs
When Emotions Take Over In the Workplace
Job Morphing: 20 Ways You Can Improve Your Job and Career
What To Do If Your Job Makes You Miserable
Do You Feel You’re Not Appreciated at Work?
Do You Feel Invisible at Work?
Why Do I Always Pick the Wrong Job?
It is all about certain people. The few seem to be above reproach and yet are more than eager to point out your flaws.
Know it all person seemingly has all the answers and if anyone has a question this person is the go to.
Never the less they are not as smart as they let own and I am not bluffed by their antics.
Invisible me, no one seems to notice I even exist. Interactions with others are strictly one sided. I alway have to be the one to talk to them, to go to them. They also think know it all person in office has all the answers.
People pass me by to talk to others about nob work sruff and yet if I dare come into their neck of the woods they have the gall to say something then.
The know it all person has asked me twice if I was ready to replace them.
I said no I am there to do my job and not out to replace anyone.
There is another person that buys everyone. Keeps an endless supply of treats for office staff. Also this person bluffs people into thinking they do it all. To this person we may as well run a 911 service. Everything is an emergency and doing a job right appears to take second place.
It is pretty bad when you work with folks that you have to constantly cover your behind with because they will blow things out of proportion and draw attention from management to your shortcomings.
I’m sorry you’re going through this, S. Although I had many jobs where I was respected and got to work on interesting projects with my teams, I once had a job where I was hired to help a manager. He wound up feeling jealous (although he always smiled to my face) and did all he could to undermine my reputation.
Unfortunately, I didn’t realize this was happening. Once you are labeled a certain way, it’s hard to undo that. Eventually I left for a much happier and more interesting job.
I’m not sure if you’ve spoken with your boss about any of this. A main concern in a job is that you are respected by your boss and for the work you do. If that is not the case — or if you are just tired of working with people who do not respect you as you are — then maybe it is time to leave. If you can.
If you can’t leave, part of the secret is to not worry about the “special” people who need all the attention or are jealous. That’s their problem. Best you can do is do your job well, find one or two people who you can trust, and focus on things and people that make you feel good. There will always be idiots. 🙂
But if you do decide to leave, before you do it might be worth finding out the truth of what people think. There may be something useful for you and your career — even if what you hear is difficult in the moment. This way, in your next job you can establish a more solid footing.
Some jobs are simply not the right fit, no matter how hard we try. The more we know, the more we can help select a job that matches us better. As I said, I’ve been there myself. And found wonderful jobs later on. The right work environment and people can make all the difference!
Good luck, S! ~ Ronnie Ann