Request #1

Thanks to an anonymous commenter, I have my first request to write about what to do when you hate your boss and you hate your job.

I know the answer seems obvious... quit. But with the economy, it seems like you're fortunate to even have a job these days. So what do you do?

Clearly, if you didn't need the income, you would have quit already, hands down. I don't know of anyone who would continue to work for someone they dislike for a job they hate. Lets consider some options.

If you want to quit but don't necessarily want to get back into the work force, but you need money, maybe going down Real Estate lane is a good option.

The residential real estate market has tanked and continues to fall for homeowners. Even buyers at this point find themselves afraid to purchase a home because home values continue to drop. However, before you lose anymore money, as I'm sure everyone has lost value in their homes, perhaps you should list your property(s) for sale, or at least for lease. Don't disregard the market and its downs right now, be smart before listing and weigh your options heavily.

Try as much as you can to rid yourself of as much turmoil as possible. De-stressing your life is key. If you're a homeowner and/or own multiple properties, try letting them go. I recommend selling before you lose anymore money on your house(s). This may very likely be a difficult task as I previously stated with the market currently, but if you are able to sell your property(s), I say go for it. If you sell your properties, you will most likely gross enough money to survive without income for a while, or least I would hope so... I don't know if you're in debt or what not.

You work full time, so if you're not happy with your boss or your job, perhaps it's time to look at some more options.

What makes you happy? What would you want to do for a career? I know it's difficult to ask yourself this because at this point, being able to pay your bills on time and in full should make you happy enough, but lets get real. After being miserable for so long, it seems like life needs to start looking up and looking up fast.

I'm sure if you are unhappy with your current work position, you've looked at other job opportunities. But are those jobs what you really want to do, or are they just so you can keep your head above water?

At this point, life is too short to continue to work in a field that you didn't really want to work in to begin with.

Here's what I would do: start off by writing a list of what makes you happy, what you're thankful for, and the good things in your life that you enjoy. Then, write a list of things you WANT to change in your life. Because your job is obviously one of the things you would like to change, try to rid yourself of as many bills as possible, like selling your home(s) so that you're more financially prepared for the possibility of being unemployed. Look for other job opportunities before you give work your notice and try scheduling an aptitude test at your local community college. This is a great way to get headed in the right direction if you aren't sure about what you want to do work wise. Find your passions in life. I know an aptitude may seem comical if you're "more experienced in life chronologically," but it's never too late to start doing what you want to do. If you take the aptitude test and you feel more confident with what you want to do, you should try to invest some time in taking courses at your local college. For example, if it's real estate that you're really geared towards, try taking a few courses to better understand the field. It will also help you accomplish getting your license. Or if it's interior design, take some courses to gain knowledge and get your designer's certifications.

Do you like to decorate? Do you like to help people? Do you like to cook? Do you like conversing with people on a daily basis? Would you rather sit behind a desk all day or be out and about? Would you like to be your own boss? These are simple questions that an aptitude test may ask, but nonetheless will help narrow your desired work field down.

Have you considered packing up and moving? How many family members would this affect? Do you think downsizing is an option? There are so many parts of the U.S. that cost SO MUCH LESS to live in, have you considered this? I don't know if it's you and your significant other or if kids are involved, but if kids are out of the house or on their own, perhaps this would be a good time to decompress your living situation.

I know some of this seems like it doesn't resolve the issue of hating your job or your boss, but I know that if you relieve some of the stresses in your life, other things going on in your life will seem more manageable. Selling your home(s) and downsizing or just relocating would be a good option in my opinion.

I'm sure you know what makes you tick with anger, what annoys you, what pisses you off, what makes you feel louzy and what makes you not want to get out of bed every morning. So find what makes you motivated, find what makes you happy and go from there.

Everything I've stated is MUCH easier said than done, but hopefully you're ready to start climbing that hill instead of staying stuck in a ditch. Gather your friends and family for support and lean on them when needed. I'm sure friends and family only want what's best for you; they want you to be happy.

Major decisions are difficult to make, like relocating and quitting your job, but I know you've worked too hard for most of your life already... it's time for YOU to do something for YOU.