13 ways to stop thinking everyone hates you

Thinking everyone hates you is a terrible mindset to be in, and it is probably the reason you’re stuck in job search limbo. It’s not that people are being mean to you or don’t want to help, they’re simply not coming your way because you’re too hard to read. Here are 13 ways for you to stop thinking everyone hates you so that when someone finally opens the door of opportunity for you they know that it’s worth it.

1. Meditation

Meditation is a great way to stop thinking everyone hates you. By creating the space and time to be quiet and still you can shift your perspective from negative to positive. If you’re feeling especially stuck, try guided meditation with an app like Headspace or Calm. You can also create your own meditative practice by listening to peaceful music and focusing on something that brings you joy such as nature photos or drawings.

Meditation will help you clear your mind and relax your body so that you can become open to opportunities. When you do this you will find that you no longer feel like you’re being bombarded with negative thoughts. Instead, you will feel grounded and confident in your abilities, making it easier for others to trust and support you.

2. Journaling

Journaling is a great tool for examining your mindset and changing it if need be. You could try an old-fashioned notebook but if you’re very busy, print and electronic journal on Amazon like the bullet journal or Evernote for Mac. This tool will allow you to track your progress and reflect on the things that are affecting your thoughts. Sometimes, when you’re feeling down, you don’t even know why. It can take time to figure out what’s going on in our minds when we feel stuck. By writing in a journal, you can track your progress and develop a better understanding of your thoughts and projections.

3. Media consumption

Media consumption is often an escape from reality due to its wide range of escapist options. While media is entertaining it can also feed into our negative thinking. It’s important to avoid negative programming by watching shows that make us feel good inside. Watch funny comedies like The Big Bang Theory or Parks and Recreation. These shows will lighten up your mood and help you see the brighter side of life. If you are still having trouble letting go of the negative programming, try watching children’s shows or reality TV.

4. Donating time

There is a famous saying, “If you help enough people, you’ll eventually get help in return.” This is also true when it comes to increasing your confidence. By volunteering, you’ll find that there are many people who want to help you in your career. You could try volunteering for non-profits like Big Brothers Big Sisters or the NSPCC (National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children). By helping others, you’ll be helping yourself. You’ll also find that if you volunteer long enough, you’ll eventually find a friend or mentor who will give you the advice you need to succeed.

5. Get a side-hustle

“Work hard at your job and look for ways to diversify your skills.” This is the best career advice I have been given so far in life and it goes straight in my journal as crucial advice. The reason for this is that if you’re in a job you don’t like, it will be hard to find happiness. If your job is simply a means to an end, then what’s the point? You’ll feel unhappy because it’s not who you are. However, if you can find a way to make work fun and enjoyable then there will be no problem with losing your passion for a particular career path.

You can start preparing yourself for the side-hustle when you are young. For example, if you are working in retail, start learning how to become a coder. You have to be resourceful to make this happen but it’s possible if you start young. Have your side-hustle running by the time you hit 25 and then when it’s time to change careers you’ll already be well on your way.

6. Practice gratitude

We forget to be grateful for what we have when we are having a bad day. If you practice gratitude every day, you’ll find that you’re much more receptive to opportunities during good times. For example, if you are having a bad day at work and someone opportunity comes your way, you’ll be less scared about it because you know that your skills will not go out of date. You may even find yourself thinking, “If they don’t need me right now then I can always go back to my side-hustle. I’m not reliant on this company to make my income. If it doesn’t work out, I know my skills are in demand elsewhere.”

7. Positive self-esteem

If you don’t think you have the right skills or confidence, then you need to boost your self-esteem. You can do this by taking part in group activities online through Meetup or joining professional organizations. These groups will give you a chance to network and prove yourself in a virtual environment before taking the next step into networking physically.

8. Don’t be a people pleaser

If you find yourself saying yes to every request that comes your way, consider what the long-term impact will be on both your career and mental health. I’ve been guilty of this myself. I used to get very anxious when I was asked to do something outside of my comfort zone. This anxiety developed into panic attacks which eventually led me into depression. It is hard to say no when you are being agreeable but it’s important, especially if you are looking to find the skills and confidence that you need to succeed. As long as you’re not breaking any laws or hurting others then people will understand.

The danger of saying yes to every request is that at some point your potential boss will realize that you are not willing to take on new challenges or be creative. This will lead them to view you as less qualified and they may question your commitment if things start taking off for your competition.

9. Focus on your strengths not your weaknesses

Think of the strongest points of your personality. If you are naturally focused, plan ahead and organized then it would make sense to develop these qualities. If you are good at making quick decisions, you could learn from others by being more focused on details. There is no point trying to fix something that isn’t broken so focus on what makes you tick and make these aspects of yourself stronger. If you try to change things that you aren’t good at, it will only cause more stress and will make you feel like a failure.

10. Create your ideal work environment

No matter how bad your job may seem, it’s worth fighting for. It’s important to find the inner strength to stand up for what you deserve no matter what because once you’ve done this, the job will be fine. By facing these challenges head-on and standing firm, you will create an ideal work environment that will help you thrive. If there are times when you feel like quitting, remember to keep things in perspective. Think about how awful it would be if your boss was so bad at their job that they actually made your life worse than it is right now.

11. Take action

If you are not taking action then you are wasting time. The reason that taking action is important is that it will demonstrate to others that you have the confidence and skills they need.

You can take action by joining groups and forums where people are looking for help and support from others in their field of work. If you’re lucky enough to be a member of these groups then make sure you listen and ask questions. You can also find a mentor, people who have made it in their field, who will help guide you through your journey.

12. Work smarter not harder

Instead of working longer hours, try to streamline your tasks and focus on the responsibilities that will have the most impact. Once you’ve completed this you’ll be able to work on other important tasks with minimal effort. This will free up time for you to take on a side-hustle or even look for other work opportunities.

13. Get a good night’s sleep

This is good advice for everyone because it is impossible to operate well when you are feeling tired or sluggish. This is not just because of the physical effects of being tired but also because of the way that your brain functions. For example, if you are feeling burnt out then you will struggle to focus on certain tasks. However, a good night’s sleep can make all the difference because it allows your brain to reset and processes information more effectively.

Conclusion

You have the power to change your life and career if you stay motivated and positive. If you are willing to learn from others then everything is possible so don’t be afraid to reach out. So long as you are confident in your skills and willing to help others, someone will recognize your potential and start paying attention.