Heres how to combat the my-boss-is-a-jerk blues

Heres how to combat the my-babo-is-a-jerk bluesHeres how to combat the my-boss-is-a-jerk bluesTwo common mantras in our culture today are I hate my job and My boss is a jerk. While both statements may be true, hating your job because your boss is a jerk isnt going to lead anywhere good.According to Gallup, more than half of the U.S. workforce (or about 70 million employees) either are just enduring their job or actively hate where they work. With that level of dissatisfaction, its no surprise that we hear so many negative comments either in personal conversations, through social media or the mainstream media. In other words, If you dont like your job, welcome to the club.Here are two reasons why concluding My boss is a jerk (or even major jerk) wont help things for you at work.1.Its easy to label others and be vagueWhen we label others with vague pejorative terms which seems to be common in our culture it absolves us of any responsibility to do anything. Shes an idiot and What a _ ____ fill in the term are similar. Youve called the person a name, but now what? Lets assume your boss acts like a jerk at times. What does that really mean?What has he or she done that you disagree with?Is it the decisions he or she has made?How he or she makes decisions?How he or she communicates with you?How he or she treats others?How decisions are implemented (or notlage)?Only when we identify the specific actions or behaviors that irritate, offend or hurt us can we then develop a plan of action to deal with them. If another persons actions affect you negatively (especially repeatedly), then it may be good for you to figure out how youre going to respond. Options may include ignoring them, talking to them or minimizing contact. But leaving it at hes a jerk gives you no plan of action.One of the problems in talking together with others about this without identifying the specific action is that you know where you are coming from, what you have been thinking about and the purpose of the conversation. However, the other person often has no clue. When you start talking, it can take the other person a while to figure out why youre sharing what you have and what you want from him or her in response.2.You can still enjoy your work even if your boss is difficult and has significant weaknessesWhile we know that a persons relationship with his or her direct supervisor is influential, its not the only factor. Your job also entails one or more of the followingthe tasks youre supposed to accomplishcustomerspotential customersco-workersvendors or suppliersother interactions with the community at largeSo focus on these aspects of your work. Do the best at what you do. Learn and grow in your skills. Figure out what your customers need and want and do your best to serve them well. Find positive co-workers and hang out with them. Be positive and energetic in the interactions you have with others. Also, remember that your boss almost certainly has some beneficial skills, str engths, knowledge or character qualities it is unlikely that he or she is a total moron that has evil intent. He or she is probably quite different from you in many ways, but those differences can be beneficial to your organization.Bringing a positive attitude to your job actually helps you enjoy your work more. So, do what you can to see some positives in your current job. If you cant think of anything, compare yourself to those who dont have safe water to drink and whose sole task each day is getting food for themselves and their family.The single best thing that you can do to improve the likelihood of having a great work day is to have a daily attitude of gratitude. Research has repeatedly shown that people who have a positive, grateful attitude for their work actually enjoy their work more. Yes, your boss may be a jerk. But you can only make your daily experience at work better if you get past that vague conclusion and begin to focus on what you can do in the situation. (And re member he or she may be saying the same thing about you.)Thisarticlefirst appeared onAppreciate at Work.