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9 Hidden Habits That Make Us Miserable at Work

Bad bosses and office politics aren't the only reasons people hate their jobs.

Recent Gallup polls show that 68 percent of Americans and a staggering 87 percent of adults around the world are not engaged in their work. Although we often (correctly) blame disengagement on bosses from Hell or Dilbert-esque working conditions, we sometimes sow the seeds of our own misery without even realizing it.

Following are nine hidden habits that needlessly attract frustration and stress.

1. Keeping your eyes ready to roll.

When skillfully deployed, the eye-roll is a cynic's most versatile weapon. Whether on a conference call or in a status meeting, an ocular rotation will keep your feet firmly planted in a pit of hopeless despair by reminding you how pointless your job is, and how superior you are to the silly duties and ignorant people surrounding you.

2. Expecting your leaders to qualify for sainthood.

If your boss doesn't possess the compassion of Mother Theresa, the team-building skills of Abraham Lincoln, and the innovative genius of Steve Jobs, than he clearly isn't fit for middle management. Somewhere over the rainbow is the divinely perfect boss you're entitled to. Until that angelic leader reveals herself, a true Virtuoso of Vitriol will tolerate nothing less than perfection from all the schlubs they work for.

3. Assuming your co-workers are incompetent.

Obviously, it's not fair to hold your co-workers to the same high standards as your boss. So, when a mix-up happens with a colleague, instead of assuming that your team members are bad people, be the bigger person and just assume that they are stupid.

4. Eating lunch with people who hate their job.

Occasionally, in moments of weakness, you might catch yourself thinking that your bosses and your peers are decent, hard-working people who are doing the best they can. This kind of thinking seriously threatens the pursuit of misery. That's why it's important to regularly associate with people who remind you of everything imperfect about your job, your co-workers, and your organization.

5. Expecting heaps of praise for every act of slightly above average performance.

People committed to misery know that pay and recognition are the only reasons to do good work. Some naive saps will tell you that the satisfaction of doing a job well provides its own valuable reward. But miserable people know better. That's why they always expect praise and are outraged when they don't receive it.

6. Interpreting every inconvenience as a personal assault on your health and happiness.

Sometimes tasks fall through the cracks. Sometimes people get caught up in the heat of the moment and say things they regret. When these things happen, you could be forgiving and understanding. But why? It will be much easier to achieve martyrdom by clinging to the belief that everyone is conspiring to ruin your life.

7. Smiling sparingly and never laughing.

Everyone knows that if you act cheerful more than 10% of the time, people will think you're one of those conformist sheep who actually likes their job. If you're not careful, these wanton acts of pleasure will signal approval of your work environment while seriously diminishing your street credibility with the wretched souls you eat lunch with everyday. (Note: Disapproving smirks are acceptable as long as they don't spill into something resembling a genuine smile.)

8. Complaining about how screwed up things are, and then complain more when someone tries to change them.

If you look hard enough, no executive's decision is above reproach. This is especially true for change decisions. Whenever you disagree with your leader's judgment, instead of giving her the benefit of the doubt, just assume she is a spawn of Satan who stays up until the wee hours of the morning stroking her barbed tail while coming up with ways to destroy the company and poison your happiness.

9. If you can't be condescending, at least be indignant.

Some people are gifted at channeling their contempt for others into smug replies and condescending facial expressions. Others are better suited to moral outrage and righteous indignation. Both can produce misery equally well, so be yourself: If arrogance is your thing, mumble sarcastic comments under your breath. If self-righteousness is your style, go ahead and turn minor offenses into holy wars. The key is to be authentic in your misery.

Nick Tasler is an author and thought leader who has helped inspire change at organizations including General Electric, Microsoft, Wells Fargo, Yale University, and the University of Notre Dame. His latest book is Domino: The Simplest Way to Inspire Change.

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