Sometimes terrible career decisions are worth making — and we all, at some point, are going to make them. When you take on a job or project that you quickly realize is a mistake, it’s easy to lose hope. It can ebb away at your confidence and sense of purpose. But if you focus on the long view, working through what you don’t want can bring you that much closer to what you do. If you’re in a job that feels like a drag, here’s how to use the experience to your advantage.

• Focus on your relationships. It is essential to invest in relationships with your coworkers — they are the ones who can make this otherwise difficult experience worthwhile.
• Ask for help. Don’t let pride get in the way. Speak up if you need support. The worst thing someone can say is “no.”
• Take note of your non-negotiables. The more you understand about what you are and aren’t willing to compromise on, the more easily you will be able to craft the kind of career you want in the future.
• Celebrate your resilience. Be proud of your big and small ways, because those eventually add up to overcoming the most trying challenges.
• Reflect on what this experience is teaching you. Sometimes calculated risks really do pay off.