6 Reasons a Bad Job Isnt a Waste of Time - The Muse

6 Reasons a Bad Job Isnt a Waste of Time - The Muse6 Reasons a Bad Job Isnt a Waste of TimeWork is a huge part of your life. And, if youre totally in love with what you do, you likely think of that fact as something positive. I mean, who wouldnt want the majority of their day consumed by something enjoyable? But, if you feel completely trapped in a job you hate? Well, suddenly life doesnt seem so rosy. Theres no doubt that working a job you detest has a big impact on your overall outlook and attitude. But, as with anything, its important to stay positive- as difficult as it may seem. Even if you think of your position as nothing mora than a soul-sucking nightmare, Im willing to bet youre still getting at least a little something out of it. Not convinced? Here are six things youre taking away- even if you absolutely loathe your terrible, dead-end job. 1. Youre Getting Better at Tolerating Things You Dont LikeMaybe you absolutely cant stand your boss. Perhaps your daily job duties make you groan and sigh uncontrollably. Or, maybe your co-workers drive you so insane that youre one snide remark away from flipping over the conference room table.Whatever it is that you hate about your current position, try to remember that all of those pesky annoyances and cringe-worthy moments are helping you master the important trait of tolerance. Listen, theres no such thing as a perfect job. And, even if you wind up getting remarkably close to that elusive position, I guarantee that there will still be at least one thing that grates on you- whether its an overly chatty colleague or your monthly expense reports. So, your refined patience and tolerance will definitely come in handy- even when you finally break free from that dreadful job. 2. Youre Working on Your Commitment IssuesTheres a lot to be said for a solid sense of commitment. And, when you boil it down, whos really more committed than someone who manages to show up to the office day in and day out, despite the fact that he knows hes in for eight hours of pure misery? Nobody, if you ask me.Sure, I know that theres definitely a good reason youre toughing it out and staying in that job you hate. Maybe the pay is simply too good. Or, perhaps you havent found something better to move on to yet. But, the important thing is that youre still showing up and doing your best work, without letting your negative emotions creep in and bring you down. Trust me, that dedication is a quality that any employer will admire. 3. Youre Going Above and Beyond in TeamworkNobody works in a vacuum, so its safe to say that teamworks a universal requirement for any position. Whether youre at a small company or a large organization, you share an office or you work remotely, theres just no way that you can get by without interacting and collaborating with other members of your team.So, knowing how to thrive in a team situation is absolutely crucial for success in your career. And, if youre managing to pull it off in your curren t job- despite the fact that you cant stand your co-workers and you loathe the actual assignment? Well, that just means youre one heck of a team player. 4. Youre Improving Your Communication SkillsThis is another one of those skills thats desirable across the board. And, in the same vein as teamwork, you simply wont get much done without learning how to successfully communicate with others in your office. Needless to say, this is a technique that youre undoubtedly polishing in your current job- no matter how much you may hate it. Plus, if you can manage to do it effectively when you really dont like what youre working on, I can only imagine the collaboration and discussions youll encourage when you find something youre super passionate about5. Youre Learning Actual Job SkillsYes, this ones meta, but its true. The longer youre there, the more youre improving at the skills required to do your position. Sure, maybe its not the dream career that kept you tossing and turning with excitem ent the night before your college graduation. But, it pays the bills, gets your foot in the door, and gives you something to fill the space on your resume. Think about it this way In most cases, any job is better than being unemployed. And, even if the position isnt in line with your eventual career goals, there are still plenty of things you can do to make your experience seem relevant when applying for future jobs. So, take a deep breath and remind yourself that you really are gaining experience- no matter how trivial or menial it may seem at the time. 6. Youre Gaining Valuable InsightIm a firm believer in the fact that you learn something new at every job, even if that something new turns out to be something you hate. So, you might as well think of this detested job as a chance to piece together the things you really want (and, OK, dont want) in your next position. Misery can be a pretty powerful teacher. Sure, its true that your current positions far from ideal- sometimes it tak es a while to settle into a career you truly love and enjoy. But, at the very least, remember that youre learning a lot about what you should avoid next. And, that information will undoubtedly come in handy as you continue to move through your career. I get it. Putting up with a job you hate can seem downright intolerable at times. But, take a deep breath and remind yourself that you really are getting something out of this position. If nothing else, itll likely make your next job seem like an absolute paradise.Photo of woman working hard courtesy of Shutterstock.