Periodically, someone will write in about a really awful job. And while there are all sorts of small strategies for dealing with awful jobs, Good Tips for Surviving Intrinsically Stressful Jobs reminds us:

Employers have no obligation to make jobs pleasant or rewarding. Some jobs are intrinsically unpleasant. If you do not like your current job, then the best thing may be to find a job that brings you the pleasure and the rewards you need.

It’s advice that should be listened to.  All the meditating, deep breathing, counseling, and strategizing won’t work in a meaningful way in some of these jobs. Sometimes you just have to move on. The rest of the article is quite helpful too.