In today's difficult economy of high unemployment, many people are quietly enduring horrible job situations with malicious bosses. Examples include neurotic bosses who micromanage, tyrannical managers who leave the faint-hearted quivering in the fetal position underneath the desk, "sweet" supervisors who always smile and make polite conversation while secretly undermining their employees, and even those who disappear when problems arise only to show up at the last minute to take the credit or to point an accusing finger. The list of grievances goes on and on.

What should an employee do when feeling powerless in a difficult job situation? If you have talked to your boss and the situation isn't changing, perhaps you can empower yourself in one or more of the following ways:

1. Don't allow your emotions to be manipulated. Controlling bosses always want to feel their power. All difficult bosses have one thing in common -- control issues. Whether they control through anger, manipulation or micromanagement, they all want to control their employees' emotions. Don't allow controlling bosses to manipulate your emotions. Realize that they are the problem and not you.

2. Learn from your situation. Realize that your bad situation can be a catapult for your personal growth. Start a journal and log your feelings. When thinking about how poorly or unfairly you have been treated, write it down and ask yourself some serious questions such as, "Why do I feel so upset about this?", "What could my boss have done differently or better?", "How would I have handled this situation?", and finally, "What have I learned that can be applied to other areas of my life?"

3. Always know your options. Controlling bosses make their employees feel powerless, so you must learn to empower yourself. Empower yourself by having options, even if they are not great options. Learn the employment market for your area of skill. Send out a few resumes and keep in contact with your friends and associates. Let them know that you would be willing to explore other employment options. The knowledge that you could leave your current position helps to make your situation more tolerable because you choose to stay. Your choice is your power.

To summarize, take the emotional control away from your boss, methodically analyze the situation and know your options. You will learn more about yourself and others. You will learn how to search for another job, and you will learn to either tolerate and accept your current position or move to a different job. Ultimately, you will learn that you are truly the only one who controls your career.

Susan Grossman is a certified personal trainer and group exercise instructor who has recently left a full-time corporate position to pursue her dream of self-employment and helping others with their weight loss and fitness goals. She has spent many years in martial arts training and has overcome her own struggles with weight loss. Visit her website to learn more: http://www.warsawssecret.com.