If you can’t remember the last time you had a good day at work, career expert and Everest College representative Julia Kennedy says you might be coming down with a case of the blues.
Feeling a bit gloomy at work these days? You’re not alone, as a recent study shows Jan. 24 is the most depressing day of the year. The study, commissioned by Everest College and conducted by research think-tank Harris/Decima, shows a myriad of factors — bad weather, debt from holiday shopping, freshly-broken New Year’s resolutions and stacked workloads — all conspire to make Jan. 24 the worst day of the year for the average Canadian.
The study also shows half of all working Canadians suffer some level of dissatisfaction with their job, ranging from mild frustration to consistent feelings of unhappiness referred to as workplace blues. If you regularly feel like a zombie at work or can’t remember the last time you had a good day at the office, career expert and Everest College representative Julia Kennedy says you might be coming down with a case of the blues.
“Everybody has a bad day, but if you’re having a lot of bad days … you probably have the workplace blues,” Kennedy says.
No one wants to be unhappy at work for long so Kennedy recommends a quick self-evaluation to figure out what exactly is getting you down so you can plan how to move forward.
“Ask yourself, ‘How often am I feeling this way? Am I blaming my boss or co-workers for the way I’m feeling consistently?’ Once you’re aware of the reasons why you feel a certain way, it usually becomes quite obvious what change is necessary,” Kennedy says.
Positive changes might be as minor as eating right or taking on greater challenges at work, or as severe as transferring to another department or even company.
According to the study, the biggest factors getting Canadian workers down are salary and job advancement.
The best way to start making positive changes is to get advice both from within your workplace and outside it. Something as simple as asking your boss what ways you could add more value to the company could lead to a more fulfilling role, or speaking with a career advisor might help you realize different types of opportunities.
