1. Begin focusing on what you want instead of how much you want to escape. When you find yourself talking or thinking about the job ("And this is the latest horrible story...") stop in mid-sentence and say, "What I want to have is..." And then probe further:
"I want a boss who treats me respectfully. That means courteous speaking, respect for my need to get home on time..."
"I want to live in the country and drive to work easily..."
2. When you feel trapped, what image comes to mind? A river too wide to cross? A forest? A thorny hedge? When you get comfortable with the image, begin visualizing a change in the obstacle. Imagine building a bridge across the river or finding a path in the forest. Don't force the image or the change. When you're ready it will come.
3. Think of developing skills, not serving time. Begin to build skills on company time and money, consistent with company guidelines and your own ethical principles.
Take every course that's offered. Think skills not job titles and focus on skills that can be the foundation of your own business. Can you learn HTML or PowerPoint? Can you use some evenings, weekends and lunch hours to solicit some free lance gigs?
4. Focus on satisfactory, not superior. Show up on time and meet deadlines, but forget about moving ahead. (If you have trouble with this step, ask yourself if you really want to leave.)
If you have been targeted for a layoff, this step is especially crucial.
When "Nancy" knew she would be out of a job in six months, she asked me for suggestions. Since she wanted to stay in the same field, I suggested she begin networking within her industry.
"I can't!" she said. "My job takes all my time! I work ten hours a day!"
"Your job is finding a new job," I told her. "You owe the company the minimum you need to earn your salary and keep from getting fired. Your job hunt must come first."
If you plan to leave, you're firing yourself. The same rule applies. But don't be surprised if you start to accomplish more than ever and start to earn rewards and promotions.
5. Identify the conflict that underlies your wish to escape. Dishonesty? Greed? Hypocrisy? Allow yourself to wonder if these qualities are mirrored in your own life or even in your mind. If everyone around you seems dishonest, are you lying to yourself? To others? After you resolve your own conflict, you may find the workplace has changed or you have been catapulted into a new, more satisfying life.
6. Put on your shield and armor when you enter your workplace. Everyone should learn how to create a psychic shield. Imagine that you are surrounded by an outer shell that is made of a solid material so strong that nothing can get through to hurt you. Some people prefer to imagine a protective golden light, but I think the solid shield is stronger. Take two or three minutes to put on your shield, every day, before you enter the workplace.
7. Do one nice thing for yourself every day a splurge of time or sensual taste buds. A special book, time with a friend or special person, special food. Don't deaden your senses with alcohol (although if you're a wine connoisseur, your special wine can be a gift) or spend big bucks at the mall. Think simple.
8. Find at least one thing in your life to appreciate: the softness of your cat's fur, the winter sky,the spontaneous hug from a friend. Appreciate as much as possible about your job: the money, the view from the window, the new computer, your friendly conversations with the guy down the hall. Savor the experience. Appreciation is the engine that attracts good things into your life.
9. Stay tuned to your intuition before deciding what to do next. Meditate and listen to the world around you. The saying "frying pan into the fire" is real. If your goals and desires do not come from a secure place within yourself, you will find yourself paying undue attention to those who say, "You'd better stay even if you're miserable you'll look unstable," and those who say, "Just quit! Get out of there! Just start your own business you won't starve." Sometimes the same "advisor" proposes both ideas in the same week.
If you're getting worn down by bad advice or you want an objective sounding board, find a mentor, counselor or coach. They should help you gain confidence in your own intuition, not impose their views of what you should do now.
About the Author
Cathy Goodwin, MBA, PhD, is a writer, consultant and speaker, who specializes in career transitions that increase personal freedom. For her ebook on moving to career freedom, click on http://www.movinglady.com/freedombook.html. For her free ezine, email subscribe@movinglady.com..