9 Signs of Dissatisfaction and How to Overcome Them

Feeling dissatisfied or super unmotivated? Don’t worry – you’re not alone. No matter whether it involves a job, spouse or even your own life, we’ve all experienced dissatisfaction at some point. And those of us that have been there lately know how easy it is to get dragged down by the sluggish mood or attitude.

Before you start worrying, first understand that feeling dissatisfied is not the end of the world. In fact, with a little help and action, you can move past these negative feelings and turn the situation into a positive. Wondering How? Well, you know the old adage, “It’s not necessarily the problem, but how you respond to the problem”? It’s especially true with dissatisfaction, so in order to overcome, you’ll need to work on developing the insight, maturity and skills needed to identify and appropriately respond to signs of dissatisfaction. To help with this process, here are 8 common signs of dissatisfaction—and what to do about them.

1. Dwindling Attention Span

If you’re having trouble focusing on a task, it’s a clear sign of dissatisfaction. The dissatisfaction may be the result of working on a task that you can’t stand, or you may be unsatisfied with your current strategy. Whatever the reason, it’s time to take a step back. Pause. Breathe. Stop working for a moment, and remove yourself from the situation. Take a moment to calm yourself, then assess the situation and figure out why it deserves your attention in the first place. If it does, this is your opportunity to determine what’s keeping you from focusing. If it doesn’t, there is a broader issue you may need to consider to solve the problem.

2. Isolation

Spending a lot of time at home? Having trouble getting out and meeting up with friends? Isolation is often a sign of dissatisfaction, and allowing the dissatisfied to continue will only make the situation worse. The bottom line is that getting out and communicating is the only way to push through isolation. Forcing yourself to interact with others may be uncomfortable at first, but it will get easier as you start to break through the pattern of isolation.

3. Lacking Motivation

Sometimes, getting started is the hardest part of completing a task. If you’re dissatisfied or disengaged, it can be even harder to find motivation. Gamification can be a great way to find motivation. Give yourself milestones to achieve, and set up a system of rewards that will motivate you to finish your tasks. Delaying tasks only makes motivation more difficult to gain, so get started as soon as you can.

4. Tired

If you’re sleepwalking through the day like a zombie, there’s a pretty high chance that you’re unmotivated. Lots of people who are bored and dissatisfied with spending their day at a desk battle fatigue on a regular basis. Coffee isn’t a long-term fix, and a caffeine addiction can make it even harder to find the energy you need as you’ll have to drink more and more to get the same effects. Instead, turn to exercise, which is a great tool for improving energy, focus and productivity. It might seem counterintuitive, but working out can be one of the best methods for developing and maintaining long-term sources of energy. Prioritize your workouts, and watch your energy increase.

5. Irritable

Snapping at colleagues and loved ones, or complaining about your job and life are sure signs of dissatisfaction. Don’t let irritation take over–instead, take deep breaths before you speak or act. Meditation is a great way to become more mindful of your words and actions, and can help you identify the underlying cause of your irritation.

6. Focusing On the Past

No matter whether if it relates to relationships, jobs or simply fun events, thinking too much about the past can be a major signal of dissatisfaction. This form of dissatisfaction can be potentially harmful to growth (be it personal or relationship) as those stuck in the past often have difficulty seeing and interpreting current events and opportunities. To work out of this funk, remind yourself of what is important in your life in the present, and develop ideas for working toward your goals rather than focusing on past accomplishments or failures.

7. Poor Communication

Another clear sign of dissatisfaction is poor communication. Whether aware of it or not, a dissatisfied individual will have difficulty in honestly and effectively communicating with peers, friends and/or spouse. There are a number of causes for this dissatisfaction, which range from personal doubts to trust issues to feeling neglected. Sadly, as a result of poor communication, dissatisfaction and its causes often become worse, so it’s extremely important to proactively express your feelings and work out your concerns. Remember, healthy relationships, be they at home or at work, thrive on honesty, empathy, and tact.

8. Unhealthy Eating Habits

Stressed? Dissatisfied? Unsure of whether you’re stressed or dissatisfied? A key sign of this is unhealthy or over-eating, especially if it has developed into a habit. Now I know habits tend to be thought of as a daily occurrence, but situational habits should also be considered. Situational habits occur when particular cravings arise with emotions or situations, such as stress at work. Although it may temporarily feel good, these unhealthy food choices not only make you feel worse, they can also be a sign of underlying issues. Take a look at what might be influencing your poor diet, then work to eliminate those stresses from your life.

9. Procrastination

Not only have we all procrastinated, but we’ve all procrastinated and eventually regretted it. Yet, rather than learning, some of us just repeat the process over again! Even though it may not be fun, there’s really only one way to solve this problem: get it done! You’ll only feel more dissatisfied and overwhelmed the more you procrastinate. Eliminate the tasks you dislike first—then reward yourself with a more enjoyable project.

Featured photo credit: drpowellhealth.com via drpowellhealth.com

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