Things are crazy right now, I don’t have to tell you that. Many of us are working a survival job we didn’t think we’d be in 6 months ago. My heart especially goes out to the actors and artists who have had to reframe their plans for the next year or so. I am seeing more and more theatre peeps take survival jobs for the time being.
Even before the craziness of this year began, survival jobs were hardly unheard of. Pretty much everyone had to work one in high school or college; bussing tables or stocking shelves to get some cash. Lot’s of us actually weren’t offered our dream job right out of college. (Shocker, I know) Taking a job for the time being to get by is nothing to be ashamed of, and it can lead to better things.
Also, many of the things I want to talk to you about have to do with mindset. I can’t tell you how to get your coworker to stop slacking off and creating more work for you. You cannot control the people or circumstances around you. But I can tell you how to have a mindset that serves you instead of just getting frustrated at things and people you have no control over.
Wrong survival Job, Wrong TIme
First off, I want to make something clear: there are some jobs you just should not be in. No matter what season of life you are in, it’s hard to justify working in a survival job where you are treated badly or pressured to compromise on your beliefs. If that’s the case, get the heck out of there! Every job comes with its own headaches, so I’m not saying throw in the towel at the first sign of struggle. I would just encourage you to be firmly aware of your value and how you should be treated in a work environment.
Too many people stay in horrible jobs for terrible reasons. They wouldn’t know what to do without me here. I don’t know if I can get a job somewhere else. The benefits are pretty good. I know it pays bad, but I like my coworkers. It’s up to you to decide if a job is worth your time, but just know that you have no obligation to stay in a job you hate.
practice gratitude
So that being said, if you are lucky enough to be employed, gratitude is the first step towards survival. (This is universal, but we’ll keep it just to our survival jobs for now) Chances are, there is someone who would love to be in the position you are in now. Did everyone who applied get an interview? Did everyone who interviewed get hired? Probably not. They saw something in you that made you a good fit for this position. Acknowledge that and be proud of that.
I know for my position, there were 150 applicants and 3 hires. That’s crazy! That alone is enough to make me overwhelmed with gratitude. This was happening right before Covid came to the US, so I’m especially grateful for the timing.
If you have opportunity to leave your house for a job, be grateful for that too! While many people are wracking their brains to fill all 24 hrs of the day with activity, having several hours a day devoted to earning a paycheck is nothing to scoff at. Even if you’re current job isn’t where you want to end up, I bet you can think of at least 3 reasons to be grateful for it.
Thought of 3 reasons? Wright ’em down in the comments!
show how you add value
This is super fun. Instead of just showing up for your shift, counting down the hours, and going home, challenge yourself to add value. A good way to show your value to see if you can complete the tasks that normally take you 8 hours and do them in 7. Can you do them in 6? Can you do everything you do in 8hrs at the same quality, but in 5hrs?
If the reason you take 8 hrs to do 8hrs of work is because you are afraid you won’t have things to do at the end of your shift, then you’re doing them for the wrong reason. Instead, think of how impressed your boss would be if you came to them and asked “what’s next?” You’ll be a front runner in no time!
Efficiency isn’t the only way to add value to your company. You can also make use of other skills you have not strictly related to your position. Have a knack for Instagram stories? Ask if you can assist in the company’s social media presence. Know a thing or two about gardening? See if you can be in charge of sprucing up the exterior of the office to create a more welcoming space. Showing that your hard earned expertise is at their disposal will definitely make you stand out in your current job.
get competitive
Who doesn’t love a little competition? Actually, I don’t. Except when I’m competing with myself! Generally speaking, a boss that creates a competitive atmosphere among his employees probably isn’t creating the best workplace environment. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t be competitive with your own performance!
Are you determined to be the best customer service rep at your company? First focus on competing against yourself. Focus on setting your bar higher, then reach for that. Your success compared to others will be effortless. Are you determined to be the best cashier at your grocery store? Think about what you can do better each shift you show up for. Even if you focus on one thing at a time; smiling more, being more accurate, or knowing the sales before you have to ring them up.
If being competitive with your coworkers is your jam, that’s great, just proceed with caution. No one likes a weirdo that comments on other people’s performances in their jobs. Yuck. If you have to be competitive, make it lighthearted, or heck, even unrelated to your job!
For some reason, myself and the other admins at my company keep score of how many times each of us sneeze every week. Why? No idea, it’s just a running joke. So far, I’m losing. My nose might be broken.
Anyway…
know what you bring to the table
If you are finding yourself in a job that you never saw yourself in before or don’t see yourself staying in, it can be easy to feel uneasy. You may feel like an imposter, or impatient to get on to the next part of your life. You may even feel like you’re too good, or not good enough for the position you’ve found yourself in. Either way, it’s good to know exactly what you are bringing to the table.
I guess this starts by knowing things about yourself that make you a good employee. If you know you are a good negotiator, it puts you in a position to utilize those skills for your job. If you know you are not good at making sales, you won’t be putting yourself in a position that highlights your weak points.
You will be much happier if you can capitalize on the strengths you do have rather than feeling guilty about the ones you don’t. Being aware of this will also let you consciously develop skills you are interested in growing as well.
For myself, I know I do not have the skills to make me a good salesperson or marketer. Because I know this about myself, I can consciously work on learning those skills from the place I’m at. I get to work on these skills because I choose to and because I’m interested them; not because I feel inadequate in my current position.
raise the bar- Why does it matter?
So maybe you’re wondering, “um, I work a lame retail job, why do I have to thrive here? Why can’t I just suffer through until I leave or quit?”
My question back to you would be this: Do you want to work for this job, or do you want this job to work for you?
I don’t really consider myself an optimist. I’m a realist who has discovered things are actually much better than they seem at first. So this means that every job you work will teach you things that will grow you as a person. Why not take full advantage of that? Why not practice being the person you want to be in your survival job, so you are more than successful in your dream job?
I am an extremely ambitious person, but ambition is a muscle that must be worked to grow. The good thing is, once you get some momentum going, you’ll develop a taste for being your best self! It doesn’t mean your survival job will suddenly become the job of your dreams, but you’ll like the person you become working there. Raising the bar for yourself is just practice for being the best version of yourself.
So loves, what survival job are your going to be thriving in?
Still looking for a job? Check out these posts!
8 Resume Tips to Know Before You Start Applying
How To Get An Administrative Assistant Job
Don’t forget to post 3 things you’re grateful for about your job in the comments!
