You're not happy at work, but you've decided quitting is not an option. Maybe you're not convinced the grass really is greener with another employer or perhaps you're not confident of finding another job.

And don't underestimate the stress and upheaval of looking for a new employer. Whatever the reason, if you've decided to stay put with your employer (at least for the time being), there is plenty you can do to improve your working life. But before you start planning how to make your old job seem new again, pause to consider just why you are unhappy.

It may be that personal factors outside the workplace are causing your dissatisfaction, rather than your job itself.

For most people, though, it is problems at work that cause much of their dissatisfaction. Typically, these will be problems with managers, colleagues or the general structure of the workplace leaving employees feeling powerless and unappreciated.

So how do you break the cycle of demotivation making you unproductive, which in turn demotivates you further?

The good news is that it can be reversed. If you go into work with a positive attitude and say, `I'm going to enjoy my day: I'm going to make the most of it and build on my relationships and come out at the end of the day thinking something has been produced that wasn't there at the beginning of the day', then you go home with a smile. And then you might come back the next day and something miraculous could occur or an opportunity could arise that you hadn't even thought of.

A common mistake people make when seeking new opportunities or challenges within their company is to assume the only jobs available are those advertised on the internal vacancy list.

But, with 85 per cent of the employees in any company wanting to switch positions at any one time, the opportunities are far broader.

It's also tempting to look at a company structure and assume it is never going to change, whereas most companies are constantly reinventing themselves.

• Approach your boss and ask to be given more responsibility. That way, you will be empowered as well as being seen to achieve results.
• Consider ways to make the workplace more fun.
• Take on new skills. These may be directly related to your work or something you are interested in. `You never know when they could be useful.
• Take an active role in meetings and in the decision-making process. This helps show you are enthusiastic and committed.
• Try to be a team player and work towards a joint goal with colleagues. This will help your internal networking and may lead to other opportunities.
• Find a mentor who will take a personal interest in your career development and help you work through problems.
• Be aware of the political climate at work and adapt if necessary don't get sucked in to sticky situations that could make you hate your job.
• Behave ethically and honourably don't blame others for your mistakes or your predicament.
• Keep a sense of humour; enjoy yourself as a person even if the work is dull.
• Make a plan and go after it with enthusiasm.