Struggle, escape, adaptation - Strategies for dealing with an unsatisfying job

No job can provide perfect work happiness. "Wherever people have something to do with each other, they make things difficult for each other," observed communication expert Friedemann Schulz von Thun. This is certainly true. And there are now countless studies that well document the social stress in the workplace. For example, a study by the consulting firm "Pro Change" in 2004 found that the average employee in Germany spends four hours each week complaining about their superiors. Many react to social stress with fight, flight, or adaptation. To what extent are these reactions meaningful?

Fight

can be a very sensible reaction if it has a chance of success. In many situations, it is worthwhile to actively advocate for one's needs, desires, beliefs, and goals and not allow oneself to be controlled or intimidated. We should all fundamentally possess the ability and willingness to courageously confront others. However, every fight must be conducted with caution and thoughtfulness. It is rarely productive to act impulsively and thoughtlessly. Any fight that is to end successfully requires a strategy, which must first be developed.

Flight

is an alternative that many employees sometimes or even regularly consider. Simply resigning and leaving. This can indeed be the best solution. There are working conditions that are unbearable and from which one should definitely escape. However, flight is by no means a suitable fundamental strategy. We cannot flee every time things become problematic. It is important that we learn to confront situations. Because no matter where we work, challenges will arise everywhere. Very dangerous is flight behavior that takes place purely on a psychological level. Escaping into a virtual world, for example, into alcohol, and the like may provide temporary relief but creates new problems in the long term.

Unconditional Adaptation

is also used by some employees as a coping mechanism. They see themselves as powerless, feel dependent, and believe that they will encounter the fewest difficulties if they meet all expectations. Of course, every job requires a certain amount of adaptation. However, this must have its limits. Those who adapt too willingly run the risk of 1. losing all joy in their work because they no longer contribute but only perform what is required of them. 2. being exploited in every conceivable way.

The most important strategy: Actively pursue your own happiness

However we may react in a stressful situation at work, the decisive criterion for our decision must be our own long-term happiness. This has nothing to do with selfishness. Because we benefit the world the most when we are doing well. Good mood makes us healthier, more efficient, and ensures better social behavior. Therefore, my advice: Whatever you may do in the face of an unsatisfactory job situation, act thoughtfully and make sure that it benefits you in the long run.