'I help people quit their jobs for a living. Here's what most people get wrong.'

Let me guess: You're back at work after a stunning summer break, and the reality has hit harder than a Monday morning with no coffee.

If you're feeling exhausted, frustrated and seriously questioning your life choices right now… I get it. And you're not alone. Not even close.

Less than a third of Australians (just 27 per cent) actually love their job.

And this career dissatisfaction is a very Aussie thing.

Apparently, we hate our jobs more than any other country in the world. Throw in the fact that 62 per cent of Australian workers are experiencing burnout (compared to 48 per cent globally), and we've got ourselves a proper crisis.

For many, a knee-jerk "I quit" feels like the best solution. But as a career coach who's spent hundreds of hours talking to everyone from teachers to CEOs about their work woes, I can tell you that the "should I just quit?" question is more complex than it seems.

Watch: The star signs when there's a problem at work. Post continues below.

While toxic work cultures and poor leadership are very real problems out there in many businesses, our attitudes, self-awareness and habits can play a big part in whether we enjoy work, too — and sometimes the solution to a less-than-happy work environment isn't as drastic as torching your career and starting fresh.

Before you draft that resignation letter, here are 12 ways to make your current job more bearable — or at least help you make a smart exit plan before you blow up your life.

Get brutally honest about your priorities.

Remember when Baby Spice said you should be able to order boys like a pizza? It's one of my favourite lines in the Spice Girls movie, and the thing is, jobs are similar (minus the extra pepperoni).

The truth is, there's no such thing as a perfect job. Just as we can't put in requests for our perfect date, jobs don't always come in the exact shape and size that we'd like them. So it's all about trade-offs.

The first step to having a career you genuinely like getting very clear on exactly what you want, what's most important to you, and what you're willing to compromise on. So make your career shopping list, then ruthlessly prioritise it. When you're crystal clear about your number-one focus, it's easier to go after it (and appreciate it when you've got it).

Put it into perspective.

Here's a fun (or terrifying) exercise: take your age away from 67. That's roughly how many years you've got left in the workforce. I'm 36, so for me there's at least another 31 years years left. I have more time ahead of me to develop my skills and build my career than I've been working so far!

But here's the perspective shift — think about where you were and what you were doing 10 years ago. Chances are you've grown more than you realise, both personally and professionally. What might be possible in the next decade?

Question your assumptions.

You know all those things stressing you out? Responding to every email instantly, the endless overtime, showing up to every single work drinks event? Ask yourself: is this actually expected, or am I making assumptions? Try a little experiment and pull back a little. Will anyone really notice? You might be surprised at how many of these "rules" only exist in your head.

Make it one per cent better.

Before you rage-quit, try this: what could you do to make your current job just one per cent better?

Making small, regular changes can add up to big differences, and might be just what you need to turn things around.

Also consider whether any interval change needs to happen. I had a client who kept jumping from job to job because she felt undervalued, only to find the same issues followed her around. Why? Because she hadn't learnt to set boundaries or clearly communicate her needs.

Sometimes, work just sucks. All of it.

Taylor Swift's song 'I Can Do it With a Broken Heart' is a great reminder that even superstars wish for a day off every now and then.

But it's okay if you're not living your passion every single minute. Being realistic about slow days, rough patches and those occasional annoying tasks can help us be more pragmatic about our work-life.

Your boss matters.

It's not crazy to change jobs because you and your boss don't gel. Boss-fit (the compatibility you have with your boss' leadership style) is very real.

Research shows your leader impacts your wellbeing as much as your spouse does – and more than your doctor or therapist! Sometimes it's not you, it's not the job, it's just a bad fit with your manager.

Work wives are essential.

There's a reason, "Do you have a best friend at work?" is one of The Gallup Institute's key engagement questions. According to the institute, which is widely recognised as a global leader in data related to all things work, people with a work bestie are seven times as engaged with their jobs.

If work feels like a drag, investing in one or two close workplace relationships might make all the difference.

Don't be too loyal.

Look, loyalty is a great quality. It makes you an excellent friend and partner, and a reliable employee.

But the cold, hard truth is, a company can't usually be loyal back. When times get tough, they'll make people redundant faster than you can say "restructure", because it's the necessary thing to keep the business running.

So while it's fine to be committed to your work, remember to prioritise your own growth and needs first.

Explore your options.

Making the decision to move on to your next role doesn't have to be all or nothing. You can explore your options to see what's out there without committing to anything. It's good to know what's available, even if you're not ready to make the leap yet.

Job searching can take time, so exploring your options by searching online, networking with trusted colleagues, and getting on the books of some recruitment agencies can help you assess whether the grass really might be greener somewhere else.

Plan on a marathon, not a sprint.

If you're determined to leave your workplace, keep in mind that job-searching can be relentless, and at the end of the day, persistence wins. I recommend making make an individualised self-care plan to underpin your search.

And remember, when it comes to applying for a new job, in the end there can only be one 'winner'. Not successfully landing a job doesn't mean that you couldn't do that job; it just means that the employer preferred someone else.

Have a contingency plan.

Thinking about leaving with nowhere to go? There are pros and cons of taking a break in between jobs. One advantage is that you can put your energy into job-searching, take a (probably much-needed) break, and maybe even have some fun!

The downside, of course, is that it can be hard to tell exactly how long it will take to land the next gig.

If you're thinking about leaving with nowhere to go, I recommend mapping out a contingency for the steps you might take if you're still job searching in three, six or 12 months. Having a solid plan B (and C, and D) can help you feel confident in your decision.

Protect yourself.

The bottom line is this: Your confidence and wellbeing are your greatest assets, and you should protect them at all costs.

If you're in a job or workplace that is eroding your physical or mental health, or undermining your confidence — get out of there. Your confidence is going to be key in landing you or your next opportunity, and good health is the foundation of good work. Don't let any job, boss or employer take those away from you.

Ellen Hooper is an executive and career coach and helps people make bold career move through her popular Love Your Work program. 

Feature image: Instagram/@ellenhooperconsulting.