4 Lessons You Learn From the Job You Hate - The Muse

4 Lessons You Learn From the Job You Hate - The Muse4 Lessons You Learn From the Job You HateOnce upon a time, I worked at a company that made me absolutely miserable. I cried every Sunday evening, because the dread of Monday approaching was almost too much to bear. I needed to set my alarm clock across my bedroom to make sure that I could actually drag myself out of bed. I spent my days feeling deflated and disheartened.notlage exactly the fairytale-style opening you were hoping for, right?But- lets face it- when you hate your job, life is far from a fairytale. In fact, it can be downright dismal. Believe me, Ive been there.However, while that misery-inducing gig might be terrible, its far from pointless. There are quite a few valuable things you can learn from toughing it out in a punkt that makes you cringe, sigh, and cry.Not convinced? Here are four lessons you can take away from working in a position you absolutely hate.1. Always Look on the Bright SideSpoiler alert Life isnt al l sunshine, rainbows, unicorns, and puppies. Even when you manage to escape that hated position, youre still going to have to deal with circumstances and scenarios that are less than ideal- often on a frequent basis, unfortunately. Thats just life.Luckily, youll become pretty well practiced in the art of looking on the bright side. After all, what could be a greater test of your positivity than sticking it out in a job you loathe? Whether its the delicious and free catered lunches or that project that actually seems tolerable, youre learning how to tune out the cons and place more emphasis on the pros. Trust me- that ability to avoid letting negativity consume you in favor of making the most of the cards youre dealt is a skill that will benefit you through the rest of your career.2. Commitment Is KeyBig changes dont happen overnight- this much you know. And, having to head into the office day in and day out when youre desperately eager for something better requires a hefty dose of p atience and commitment. Yes, you very well might be working on getting yourself a job that youll actually enjoy. But, the world doesnt work on your timeline, and youll likely need to sit tight and hold steadfast until a greater opportunity lands in your lap. Patience is a virtue, after all. So, the fact that you can manage to show up and crank out quality work- even though you feel like youd quite literally rather do anything else? Well, thats a great lesson in commitment and dedication- two qualities that virtually any employer will admire and applaud. 3. Dont Sweat the Small StuffYou know how when youre already in a bad mood, even the smallest, most minuscule things manage to wiggle their way under your skin and drive you positively crazy? Those little things that youd normally let just slide off your back end up pushing you to the absolute brink.Theres no doubt that this same philosophy applies when you hate your job. That co-worker who wont stop smacking her gum or your companys ancient software- theyre all just one more reason you should hate this terrible employer and position of yours. But, by now you know better than to lose your cool over those minor annoyances- it only serves to make you look bad. So, as nutty as it might make you, remember that this dreadful experience is teaching you a valuable lesson in taking a deep breath and letting things go. Hey, a little more oil in your feathers is never a bad thing. 4. Theres Value in Every ExperienceThere are likely a lot of things youre not getting out of that loathsome job. Maybe thats fair pay, a supportive team, or useful and transferable skills. But, you can bet that theres at least one key thing that dreaded position is giving you The knowledge of what you absolutely dont want in your next gig. I know, that information likely isnt as enjoyable as a hefty paycheck or amazing co-workers. But, dont sell it short Sometimes identifying what you dont want can be even more valuable and helpful than determi ning what you do want.So, use that knowledge to make choices as you move forward in your career. At least you know one thing Itll help you avoid winding up in that same situation again. Unfortunately, most of us have had to cope with those terrible jobs that truly put us to the test. And, while putting up with a gig you hate isnt fun, that doesnt mean it isnt valuable.In fact, there are several important lessons you can learn from your sigh-worthy position. So, take note, put them to good use, and youre sure to live (or, rather, work) happily ever after. There- now thats a fairytale ending you can live with. Photo of unhappy worker courtesy of Jose Luis Pelaez Inc/Getty Images.