A 2010 report released by The Conference Board says that American employees are increasingly unhappy—which they say is “a long-term trend that should be a red flag to employers.”  But it is also a wake-up call for employees who are experiencing increased workloads, ramped up stress and a lack of purpose?
Addressing this issue starts with two things: uncovering the lies you may be telling yourself keeping you in a job you despise and identifying the truths that will free you from anguish that is spilling over into everything else in your life.
If you’re telling yourself that you’re trapped in your job, then you are.  To get past that lie that’s limiting your career progress, start challenging this belief.  Ask yourself, “How do I know I can’t find a better job?”  If the only answer is “I just know I can’t,” then you are simply making excuses for not trying.  
Build up your self-confidence by taking inventory of the skills.  Assess what skills you’ve gained in your current job, past jobs, volunteer experiences, and educational training?  Do you have any skills or resources you might be wasting?
If you feel you’re too old to make a change, you CAN challenge this belief, you CAN switch jobs or careers, and you CAN learn something new—if you put your full energy and creativity into it.  One reason people think they’re too old to switch jobs or change careers is because they haven’t stayed current.  Knowing more about today’s world will help you feel and act like you’re a part of it.  Take a course in something new to stretch your mind.  Seek help and advice for your job search.  Things have changed, so you will need to update your knowledge about the search and interview process.  
If you believe no one is hiring, so you’re not going to look, even in The Great Depression, people found work.  “No one is hiring” is the ultimate lazy person’s excuse.  Excuses are like Band-aids . . . they cover the wound, but don’t heal it.
Maybe you don’t feel you have the discipline to be your own boss so becoming an entrepreneur is more than you can handle.  Discipline comes naturally to some people, while others have to learn it.  Set up a system and follow it.  Get a buddy to support you — or hire a coach if you are in a position to do so.  If you’re simply not willing to do the work involved in overcoming a lack of self-discipline, don’t lie to yourself (or anyone else, for that matter).  Just be honest and say that you are not willing to do what it would take for you to become more disciplined.  If you are up to the work, get busy setting your goals, identifying milestones, creating your TO DO list, and setting up your system for tracking your progress.

Teressa Moore Griffin, Executive Coach and Founder of Spirit of Purpose, author of  “Lies that Limit: Uncover the Truth of Who You Really Are” (to be released Summer 2010). Follow her on Twitter @LiesThatLimit.