We've all been there - sometimes the job you have sucks. Maybe it wasn't a good fit from the beginning, or maybe it has deteriorated due to changes, restructures, or bad management. Whatever the reason is, sometimes we have to endure hardship at work because it's not easy to change.
Especially lately, when the job market is rather poor for product people, an increasing number of us have to stay in jobs we don't enjoy. That fact alone can lead to frustration and burnout.
There's no one-size-fits-all solution here. What helps me in these situations is to remind myself - at least I am learning.
I believe you can learn in any situation. Even in the most dire of conditions, when you can't learn how to do things, you can still learn how NOT to do things. Yes, you can learn what NOT to do, how things DON'T work. These learnings will serve you well when you eventually leave and start something new.
And what if there's absolutely nothing you can learn at work? Learn outside of work. Sure, this is not easy; often, you just don't have the energy. In which case, you can try a learning vacation. Yes, I mean spending your time off not chilling on the beach or hiking the mountains, but learning something new that could help you to improve your work situation. Surprisingly, a lot could be learnt and achieved in a short period of time, like an extended weekend or one week off your main job.
And here's another hot take - what you learn is less important than the habit of learning itself. The modern job market changes super fast and it's hard to identify skills that would be desired in your next job. However, there's one skill that will always be universally relevant - your ability to learn fast. And you should be practising it daily, especially if you're looking for a career change.
So next time you find yourself in a bit of a pickle, remember - we've all been there too. The situation will change, and you will have opportunities. And if you used the time well to learn something new or learn to be learning - you'll have even better chances to make the best of the opportunities opening up for you.