What to Do When You Feel Unappreciated

It is a cold, hard truth that individuals who fill administrative roles are superbly underappreciated. Sadly, even the “best” bosses may neglect to praise, thank, or acknowledge their assistant for their work from time to time.

When you feel unappreciated, it’s easy to fall into an unproductive spiral.  Do not sabotage your career in this way.  Instead, try one of these tricks to help yourself plow through the dry spell.  Someone is bound to notice your work at some point; better late than never!

Remember: Gratitude is limited to first accomplishments. After that, success is expected. 
There are far too many small tasks that an admin is responsible for that contribute to the success of the company.  By the same token, there are many larger tasks that an admin is responsible for that also contribute to the success of the company.  That being said, it is important to always remember that an admin’s role is supportive—everything an admin does is worthy of a “thank you,” but the reality is that it isn’t always expressed.  Keep in mind that when you begin to work in a role, no matter the capacity, people are likely to take note of all of the things you do well and all of the ways you contribute.  After a while, your contributions become expectations because you are just that good at your job; being taken for granted is a form of praise.

Join a LinkedIn Group with Like-Minded Professionals
The worst thing you could do is to complain about feeling undervalued or unappreciated to peers within your work space.  Instead, turn your frown upside down, and your seemingly negative situation into a positive by consulting other admins within your reach.  Joining a LinkedIn Group, engaging a Facebook Page, or even other users on Twitter can help show you that you’re not alone.  Need a quick pick-me-up? Search the hashtag #assistantproblems on Twitter and gain perspective and even a hearty chuckle at some of the trivial trials and tribulations other admins grumble about.  On a more serious note, LinkedIn is a great resource for engaging professionals of all levels on questions or comments you may have about the administrative field, no matter how much experience you, yourself, have.  In an article for Forbes, Steven Berglas says of joining a professional network, “Before you know it, you and your birds-of-a-feather will be engaged in all sorts of reciprocal social exchanges, particularly ones that involve expressions of appreciation.”

Pay It Forward
The most successful admins are those who understand their role is to support, to make others’ lives easier, and to brighten others’ days with their words and actions.  While you may feel underappreciated, do not let that affect how you interact with others; in fact, Theodore Roosevelt said, “The most important single ingredient in the formula of success is knowing how to get along with people.”  There is no better way to make someone else feel appreciated than to thank them for something they’ve done or do on a regular basis, whether it is the mail room clerk who sorts and distributes, or your own boss who buys you lunch from time to time.  You get what you give, and if you give a little appreciation, you are bound to get it back.  Additionally, appreciating others increases your value in the workplace because it demonstrates your ability to be a team player and your interest in others and their work, positioning you as a leader.

When you’re feeling undervalued or underappreciated, try one of these tricks to turn things around.  The worst that could happen is that you make a few professional connections, have yourself a nice giggle, or put a smile on someone else’s face.  It just goes to show you that there’s always something to be thankful for in every situation.

What do you do to make yourself feel more valued and appreciated in the workplace? Let us know in the comments section, below!