More and more people are desperately unhappy at work. Underlying those phenomena is something even bigger. Meanwhile, millions more have resorted to “quiet quitting.” Not a day goes by that we don’t hear talk of “the Great Resignation,” with millions of workers in the U.S. I have applied to several interesting jobs, but I can’t even get a rejection email, let alone an interview.” Isabelle contacted me in my capacity as a professor of business and consultant in the fashion industry to explain her frustration and hopes to escape. She feels torn between the tedious demands of a job that once excited her and her real interests, which are fashion and sustainability. And her company doesn’t know that she has spent the last two years looking to leave, although nothing has materialized yet.

However, despite all her success, Isabelle feels dissatisfied - stuck in a job that no longer fulfills her. She has invested decades into her career and built valuable relationships with her colleagues and clients. In the eyes of the outside world, she is a star employee, and her company has recognized that with accolades, bonuses, and awards. She has attracted a roster of renowned corporate clients. A partner in her firm, she has built a successful consultancy practice in London, New York, and Boston. Nobody would guess that Isabelle is unhappy at her job. This can be done while you’re in your current role. Retrain: Invest in your future and developing the skills that will, ultimately, allow you to move on to another job when the time is right.So, if client conversations are what you enjoy most, you may choose to schedule them at the start of every day to begin work with a burst of positivity. An example of job crafting is scheduling your day in a way that allows you to get the most value from it. Think: Which tasks have I outgrown and which tasks make me come alive? When you understand that, you can find ways to try to discard the former, through delegation for example, while holding on to the latter. Reexamine: Develop a detailed understanding of your problems so you can formulate solutions.Reframe your job by reminding yourself that you’re in it for a reason - building new skills that will help you take your next step.

Reframe: Most people don’t realize that a sense of purpose can be achieved in almost any job - it’s just a question of how you frame it.

Here are four ways - through both thought and action - that you can alter how you feel about your job and make an imperfect situation work. What should you do when you’re stuck in the wrong job but can’t quit? Even if you can’t immediately escape your situation, there are simple ways to improve it.

I hate being stuck at home