Experience has backfired in every job I've ever had- even using experience from the same job within the same job

When I've noticed things that are a "hot spot" for a boss, I've set him off by making even the slightest tangible effort to AVOID his hot spots. For example, a stereotypical thing that everyone's been yelled at for once would be efficiency, BUT, it has backfired every time when I listened to what the boss was snapping at everyone about during the impromptu "meeting" and actually understanding why he was mad, what the cause of the issue is, and the solution, no matter how obvious it was.

A department wide meeting about saving paper and electricity, for example, is no excuse for deciding not to print something that could be emailed without breaking other policies or wasting any time, or turning off the light on your own personal (read: not shared) desk when you go out for lunch. Being the only person who was listening during the meeting came back to bite me every time.

Knowing what kind of things the boss expects us to actually listen to, or asking for clarification, has never worked.

Even if I didn't expect their directions to make any sense, I've never had the kind of boss where they noticed that I accepted their instruction without any argument. When I verbally agree with a calm voice and/or make a motion to start doing it their way, they repeat louder and sounding more agitated, as though they somehow perceived anger on my part despite there being none.

My own ability to not get set off by work related stressors, has never once helped me keep a job or obtain a reference. Even when I've started a new job with all this newfound wisdom that does not "rely" on any "reward" I've still had every consequence of arguing and getting stuck on things, when I went the entire job without ever snapping at the boss even when I felt snapped at, and never showed anger in their presence, every consequence was still there all the same.

No one has responded to you on this yet so I thought I’d give my take. I’ve been in this position and quite frankly I still am. I’m a blue collar repair worker and I will tell ya What this world expects from us as employees and what God is calling us to do often clash against each other. This is why it’s important to recognize your spiritual gifts and base a career on those strengths. Finding Fods purpose for your work . Remember you are serving the Lord God and his people. Your employer is God almighty not the person in the suit and tie. Do right by Gods laws and will. Love like Jesus and listen to the Holy Spirit when he speaks. In the past I’ve been requested to do unethical things by bosses. I’ve been told to be dishonest and say I’ve done things when the task was never done to steal tenths of an hour from a manufacturing company in labor . I do what I believe is right and my boss can chew on me if he wants but I know in my heart I did right by my fellow man even if I lose my company money they didn’t earn. It is tough to be honest in an increasingly dishonest world where corporations seem to applaud dishonesty if it means another zero behind the profit margin.

My case is that I’ve done all this. I try to find Gods purpose to my work. I do my work to the best of my honest ability but yet It still isn’t enough for the Bossman cause he’s used to seeing dishonest employees unethical practices make the company more money than my honest work . Where I’m at I do not feel at peace with it and dread monday mornings. I believe the Holy Spirit after prayer is giving me 1 more year at this employer and if it doesn’t give me joy in serving then I’m to believe and follow Christ into discovering an entirely separate corner of my spiritual gift.

If you have done everything you can think of and are praying relentlessly about it and nothing is changing or in some cases like mine getting worse… consider the possibility that it might be God himself pushing and nudging you to make a change. Maybe that change is a new attitude, maybe a new employer, maybe it’s like I feel and it’s going to be an entire different career, maybe closer to what my childhood dream career was even. Don’t rule anything out. God works in mysterious ways and he has been known to allow pain in our lives for a greater good that only he sees. Trust in God above all and don’t be afraid to walk with him where he is leading. I’m in the same mess you are essentially and things are fixing to change. I will be praying for you. God Bless

If you want to know arbitrary and contradictory, try the military. I was told I was not paid to think. The next day I was told to use my initiative.

One of the key factors in knowing God's will is peace. (Colossians 3:15) I learned to discern when I was in the right job but under pressure that God allowed, or in the wrong job and God was saying it was time to move.

God allows pressure situations to break down stubborn pride. There is nothing like dealing with an unfair and unjust job to bring rebellion to the surface, or get the boiling anger of pride to rise up. God wants us see what we are really like, which only happens under pressure.

On the other hand, peace is at the heart of the Christian life, not as in circumstances, but peace of heart. I left the military after nearly 9 years. I wanted to go within weeks of being saved, but God said no. It took me years, but I finally agreed with God that I would stay in the military for life if that was His will. Shortly after, a great restlessness overtook me. I found Colossians 3:15 and it seemed to speak to my situation. (I was signed up for 12 years). I was able, by God's grace, to terminate my service honestly and early. How it came to pass still amazes me, but I won't go into it.