Do ENTJs need different coping strategies to other types who are in the wrong job?
The job I took was a mistake, and I need to find a new job, which I’m looking for. But am struggling to cope with the existing one.
Specifically, I know that the best thing to do is to say nothing at work, quietly get on with my work on my own in the corner (metaphorically), deliver but not over-deliver, and try to find happiness outside of work. But I find that so hard (is this an ENTJ thing?).
The background:
My last job didn’t work out (really difficult people in a small company), and as I was getting married, I took a job at a big company. I had a successful career, and while this job didn’t look ideal, it looked safe and secure. And when you’re in your mid-late thirties, and just getting married in a recession, and need a job, that appeals.
In this job I have to do things like proof-reading, editing documents, writing some corporate material. The things I need to cope with are:
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Silence. There is hardly any talking, and the job itself demands little human interaction (unlike previous jobs, there’s no advising, selling, etc).
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Selfish, unenthusiastic older colleagues, who just want to accumulate big-company pension value, while shirking the boring or less attractive work. And who have no enthusiasm or ambition.
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No opportunities. Hell, that’s why I’m leaving. But with nothing to aim for, and no way to move sideways, it feels like such a dead end, which drives me nuts. I can’t even really learn much.
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Being overqualified. My previous jobs were, it turns out, more demanding, senior, bigger, and made me proud. This job is embarrassing in its limited scope, if I’m honest.
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Awful boss. Well, they were sort of kicked out, but are still there, with no proper replacement in place, causing chaos and lack of any direction or structure.
I’ve looked at it every way, and tried things, and for reasons I won’t bore you with, there is no way I can change these things. So I have to leave.
Now the sensible advice is:
- Keep quiet, and don’t complain to anyone who’ll listen. Look happy.
- Don’t try too hard, just enough, and go home on time.
- Do fun things outside work to make yourself happy.
- Tell yourself things like “it’s only for a period of time”, or take breaks on your own to meditate.
But am I the only ENTJ who finds those things hard. I WISH WISH WISH I was an introvert. How much easier it must be in this situation (it might even be enjoyable, to quietly sit in a corner and do work).
I find it really hard to enjoy life outside work, when work is so unhappy. And it must be driving my partner nuts.
Any advice welcome. I’m really quite down about things.