Although the nature of the modern workforce is changing rapidly, many ambitious 20-somethings still find themselves as consultants, bankers, and analysts at some of the world’s largest companies, working 9 to 5 (or 5 to 9) by day, but dreaming of “doing their own thing” by night.

I hope I make this abundantly clear: There is absolutely nothing wrong with working 9 to 5. In fact, most people have to and many people choose to. If you’ve successfully moved beyond defining yourself by your job title (like too many people mistakenly do), or if you’re genuinely satisfied with your contribution to that company and purpose, I support you.

To anyone who’s unsatisfied in their current job, especially big corporate roles where it feels like you’re doing nothing but exchanging time for money, this is your survival guide. I want you to keep your big dreams alive, but also see the huge benefits and opportunities sitting on your doorstep every morning as you saunter into the same office, holding the same cup of coffee, greeting the same colleagues, and working on the same computer. Just wait until you discover how a slight change of attitude can make a huge, career-defining difference.

1. Nurture your relationship with your manager.

Feeling truly supported by your manager can make a monotonous, meaningless job far more enjoyable. A good manager can help you (her hard-working, ambitious, and proactive employee) land better assignments, score opportunities overseas, and get introduced to people you admire within the company.

Also, when you eventually have to give her your two weeks notice, a strong relationship can lead to an attractive counter-offer, a warm invitation to return if things don’t work out with your next step, and a positive reference for the rest of your career.

2. Learn how to use your idle time. In any job, there will be lulls in the action.

The smart corporate-escapee-to-be won’t be scrolling through Facebook or reading the news, she’ll be looking for extra projects, taking online courses, shadowing a manager in another area of the business, meeting her mentors for coffee, working on a side hustle, writing blog posts, or setting up other job interviews.

Use every minute of the time you’re getting paid to learn more, do more, and ultimately secure your way out.

3. Get up a little earlier.

While routine may be one of the things you dislike most about working a “9 to 5,” you can also use the predictability your advantage. It’s been shown that the most successful people are up early prioritizing their day, knocking out small stages of bigger side projects, and investing in themselves in other ways.

Schedule time for things you love to do, the things you dream about doing while you’re “stuck” at work: reading, writing, meditating, side-hustling, spending time with family, exercising, or brainstorming.

4. Manage a side hustle.

This is one of the most important things you can do while working for someone else: Dedicate time out of your nights and weekends (and that aforementioned idle time) to build something for yourself. That could mean landing your first freelancing client, starting a book, or outlining a business plan. It doesn’t even have to earn money to be worthwhile.

5. Enjoy your paycheck while still saving money.

There will probably come a day when you’ll feel the enormous pressure of reeling in clients one at a time, struggling to break even or earn a meager profit as your own boss.

You might have a really good month followed by two bad ones, and you’ll miss those days when you knew exactly how much money was coming in and had the freedom to splurge.

By all means, enjoy and appreciate that corporate paycheck, but at the same time, make sure you have a strategic savings regimen to grow your “freedom fund.”

When you’re a starving entrepreneur or long-term travel bum, you’ll be grateful you had the wherewithal to squirrel away a healthy sum when it was relatively easy to do so.

6. Work extra hard.

This might seem counter-intuitive when you probably dislike what you’re doing, but suck it up and put your nose to the grindstone. Take on extra projects when you can and even volunteer on other teams if it means exposure to new parts of the business.

7. Track your experience.

You’re probably familiar with spreadsheets, so start one dedicated to your professional development. Document important projects you completed, challenges overcome, stories about difficult colleagues, major clients you worked with, and other lessons learned.

This will come in handy when going after a promotion, preparing for other job interviews, applying for graduate school, or writing your work bio for a new business pitch.

8. Surround yourself with mentors.

Even if you don’t see your career taking the same shape as the people in the upper ranks of your company, they still have more work — and life — experience than you do.

Best of all, you never know who your mentors know. If you’re able to appropriately express your interest in a different field and they respect you for the hard work you’ve put into your present position, they may be able to connect you with a senior-level friend of theirs elsewhere.

9. Always be interviewing.

Even if you don’t really want a new job, spend a few hours a month sending your resume around and contacting organizations or people that interest you. Take any interview you can get and use it as a chance to periodically assess your personal and professional development.

Remember, the best time to look for a job is when you already have one, so always keep your eyes open for new opportunities.

9. Take your vacation.

Some company cultures may subtly, or not so subtly, discourage employees from taking their rightfully earned vacation time. Don’t fall into this trap. Be pleasant but firm about using your time off.

Give plenty of advance notice and be prepared to work harder in the weeks leading up to it, but don’t be discouraged or intimidated out of what you’re entitled to as a gainfully employed corporate citizen.

10. Get to know your colleagues.

Are you eating lunch at your desk everyday? Are you taking the presence of your colleagues for granted? Are you investing in those relationships and developing new ones with people outside of your immediate department?

Never underestimate where the people around you will be in ten, twenty years and a bond formed “.

Now get back out there and love where you are in your life and career. It doesn’t matter if this job is the farthest thing from your ultimate professional goals; you’re still building transferable skills, meeting people, earning money, and gaining valuable work — and, more importantly, life — experience. You’re surrounded by opportunity, you just have to make the effort to see it, seize it, and appreciate it.
In addition equip yourself with professional certification it gives you a competitive edge in applying for other jobs. More importantly, PRAYERS WORK,COMMIT EVERYTHING TO GOD'S HAND AND TRUST HIM...
Culled from: www.businessinsider.com

great article