Confessions of a forced workaholic

Sitting in my office on a weekend at a time when everyone around me is either spending time at home and having fun or are watching a weekend movie, I think this is the right time and perhaps the perfect situtation to explain "How one can survive in a job you dont love".

Before we actually analyse how to survive in a job we hate its more important to understand when do u realise you are no longer in love with your job.

a. You look at your calendar and count to the weekend or nearest holiday, once in every 45 minutes.

b. You take longer lunch breaks, to finally talk to all your colleagues.

c. Each time you get a new assignment instead of saying "What fun!!", you end up murmuring "What the f*$#!!".

d. As soon as someone gives you a miss call you are ready to put down all your work and return the call even if its a number you have never seen. The same is applicable for personal emails.

e. When you do a job in 12 hours what you would normally do in 12 minutes.

f. When all of a sudden coming late to office is not such a bad thing, though leaving late is.

g. When you are not bothered if the salary has come to your bank or not.

h. When you feel like reading the online newspaper every 4 hours. though you usually wouldnt read a newspaper even if someone hit you with it.

i. When your boss or colleague asks for your assistance instead of saying Why not! u say Why me!!

There are just so many signs.. but hey if I will tell you all of them, it would be just so obivious how I am feeling now..

So the all important question is, how does one manage to stay afloat .. well since I have told you all this, do you think I will leave without telling you that too?

So here are some of the ways to maintain your sanity and ofcourse your job.

a. Make a "Things to do before I quit" list

Whether you like doing this or not, its really a fruitful activity to first write down all the job assigments your are supposed to complete in the near and distant future and keep striking it off as you complete it with aggression. This way you not only satisfy your self and your employer that you are working but also manage to pull through another day.

b. Find time for food, water and loo

Whether we realise it or not, its for the above necessities that we actually take up the task of making a living yet we are so engrossed with work that we forget or dont give it sufficent importance. Find time to have food on time, drink plenty of water and you know the rest. It keeps the mind fresh and

c. Help the "apprentice"

In every organization there would be a new guy, a trainee or apprentice. Find time to help him in his work, give him some tips, check and double check his work. This gives you the sense of satisfaction that you have been of use to someone, and believe me he would always acknowledge it.

d. Smile, Smile, Smile

Life is tough, life is unfair..... but that is no reason to walk around with a face that looks like you lost all your money in the stock market. So what if today is a bit dark, human race has survived only on the hope for tomorrow.. So smile at your colleagues and not spread negative energy.

e. Be Loyal, Be fair

So you might not like your job, but that doesnt mean you show it on your job, convince your self that each stumble is a step towards something better. The worst is over and the best is yet to come.

f. Talk to your self

This is perhaps the last step, once you have pulled as far as you can go, talk to yourself and decide what you both want. No friend, colleague, parent can guide you sometimes better than that person you see in the mirror

and when all the above and some which you have also discovered failed, then write that painful letter with complete honesty and exit gracefully.