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How do you survive the day job?
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Subject: How do you survive the day job? From: Jane of 'ull Date: 05 Mar 09 - 05:09 PM Like too many people, I hate my job.. I live in a city of small opportunity so have ended up in low paid clerical work. I've taken up temping this last year or so to try and find somewhere I don't mind working, but unfortunately I find myself working alongside the usual boring, small minded, bitchy people that you always find in offices. It drives me mad! How do other people cope? I sometimes get so pissed off that I don't want to pick up my instrument, I can't seem to switch off when I get home. :( |
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Subject: RE: How do you survive the day job? From: Richard Bridge Date: 05 Mar 09 - 05:11 PM My bank manager insists. Where did you get the idea that work should be enjoyable? |
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Subject: RE: How do you survive the day job? From: Will Fly Date: 05 Mar 09 - 05:27 PM Playing music was, for a short time, my "day" job, i.e. the main source of income. I gave it up to become what is termed "semi-pro" because, in the end, the full-time musical activity was killing the love of music. This activity included travelling everywhere to play, setting up, waiting around to play, playing, breaking everything down and then travelling home. Playing the same stuff night after night - and just making a living. So I got a day job - which I've thoroughly enjoyed and will be retiring from in 6 months - while playing locally just a few evenings a month (and being paid). Best of both worlds, I suppose. But never let the boredom of the day discourage you from playing for recreation and relaxation when the day is done. In the end, if your full-time job pisses you off, think seriously about doing something else. A lifetime hating your environment for 8 hours a day is no life - you'll have thrown it away in hate. :-) |
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Subject: RE: How do you survive the day job? From: frogprince Date: 05 Mar 09 - 05:33 PM Quite a few people actually get into work that they enjoy. Some of them run around preaching to the effect that you should never stay in a job you don't enjoy; some of them could use a dose of reality. I planned to go into a field that I at least expected to find satisfying. I wound up inspecting lots and lots of circuit boards, and lots and lots of automotive electrical connectors. I did get quite a bit of enjoyment from interaction with co-workers, but precious little from the job itself. Jane, please don't take this as a slam; I do feel empathy for you as to frustration. But, how many of your co-workers are edgy because they feel just as frustrated? How many of them see you as one of "the usual boring, small minded, bitchy people that you always find in offices." |
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Subject: RE: How do you survive the day job? From: katlaughing Date: 05 Mar 09 - 05:34 PM Just full of empathy, aren't you, Richard? Jane, my brother has the same problem and no answers. He is self-compelled to compose his music regardless, usually before he goes to work. He gets really angry and upset if he doesn't work on his music and he gets the same way about having to work. Problem is, his attitude at work could get him fired. Have you thought of job counselling? When I didn't know what kind of work I wanted to do, I went to the job centre, also in a small town, and took an assessment of skills, talents, likes and dislikes test, the results of which helped me narrow it down to two jobs, one of which I took and loved. Good luck, kat |
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Subject: RE: How do you survive the day job? From: Jane of 'ull Date: 05 Mar 09 - 05:56 PM Thanks for your help Kat, I will try that test. I generally get on with men at work more than women - probably because I'm not very girly, in the sense that I've got a bloke's sense of humour and I'm into music and books and not much into things like make-up, relationships and shopping - and the type of organisations I work in tend to attract rather mumsy, girly women I suppose. Trouble is if you chat to the blokes more often, people think you're flirting! |
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Subject: RE: How do you survive the day job? From: Peace Date: 05 Mar 09 - 06:12 PM Let folks think whatever they damned well please. It's a job. You don't have to like it, you just have to do it. I can relate to the situation. I'm in a job I hate. But it's a job I have to do. When I no longer need it, well, don't get between me and the door or you'll have footprints on your back. If possible, see a job counsellor. That would be a big help to you, I think. Best wishes to you, Jane. |
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Subject: RE: How do you survive the day job? From: oggie Date: 05 Mar 09 - 06:15 PM I'm self employed so I still work for the bank manager :) My Uncle (who suffered work related stress) came up with what I think is the best answer "My employer pays me for x hours a week, I owe them that time at the best of my ability but no more, they are not paying me for more. The rest of the time is mine to do with what I want. I want to do so much and I will do so much more and I will live a life." Steve |
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Subject: RE: How do you survive the day job? From: Peace Date: 05 Mar 09 - 06:23 PM Good one, Steve. I no longer 'take work home with me' unless it's something I want to take home with me. I'm paid x dollars for y hours. I give the required hours willingly. After that, NO WAY, unless it's something I want to do. The days of loyalty to an employer are gone in most jobs. Companies are generally interested in profits and not staff. The one I work for could give a rat's ass whether I die or not. I feel much the same about my employer. There is no longer any loyalty. If you show none to the worker, there's no reason the worker should show loyalty back. IMO, it's that simple. (There may be people here who work for a wonderful employer--and if their are, ignore what I said. For most of us, however, that's not the case.) |
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Subject: RE: How do you survive the day job? From: artbrooks Date: 05 Mar 09 - 06:30 PM A friend of mine had what I thought was a good answer: "I work 8 hours a day so I have the money to support myself and enjoy the other 16 hours". If you really hate it, try to find something else to do. If it is something you do to put food on the table and clothes on your back, and you are at least neutral about the work, your coworkers and your surroundings, than you are probably a step ahead of most of the rest of humanity. |
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Subject: RE: How do you survive the day job? From: Cool Beans Date: 05 Mar 09 - 06:31 PM In the words of grumpy newspaper editor Lou Grant (old American TV show): "That's why they call it work." And in the words of my late mother: "Stuck is stuck." This may not make you feel any better, but know you have lots of company. |
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Subject: RE: How do you survive the day job? From: GUEST,CupOfTea, no cookies Date: 05 Mar 09 - 06:50 PM This summer I finished working at what had been the "job of my dreams" - I was in charge of a creative camp. It was what I trained for as an art teacher, it used all my skills, but ultimately it also sucked all my energy. I was insane enough to give up a chance at full time employment to eke out a living doing this job I loved. Eventually, the stress got to me. So, at 53, I had my first full time job-with-benefits working for someone else since 1976. I'm not doing anything I went to college or grad school for - I work in a church rectory office that could be the basis of a sitcom (only then they'd have to kill me). BUT I love going to work - not necessarily what I DO, but the atmosphere is great. I work with one of my best friends who shares a similar sense of humor, and the music we play all day is trad folk. I introduce him to singers and he introduces me to dance music of different places. We plot English Country Dances. We laugh alot at the quirks of people we deal with. We laugh at ourselves. I'm making more music than ever now that I'm not agonizing over money and responsibities. When I walk out the door of work, I'm free to live my life. Before, "work" was everywhere around me. Wish I'd done this (and lots of other stuff) 20 years ago. Joanne in Cleveland |
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Subject: RE: How do you survive the day job? From: Leadfingers Date: 05 Mar 09 - 06:56 PM I enjoyed the Day Job for quite a while , then the company moved the goalposts and I had ighteen momths of rising stress , rising workload , and stagnant pay packet ! Finally bit the bullet and took early retirement to concentarte on Music ! Best idea I ever had ! Jane , I know 'Ull hasnt as many opportunities as some places , epecially with the recession ! Commisserations and Good Luck ! |
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Subject: RE: How do you survive the day job? From: Tootler Date: 05 Mar 09 - 07:19 PM I retired! Seriously, I enjoyed my job but latterly I was not happy with the way things were going so I took my pension and went. Best thing I ever did. |
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Subject: RE: How do you survive the day job? From: Bruce MacNeill Date: 05 Mar 09 - 07:24 PM I'm retired now so probably shouldn't speak, but I worked in stressful jobs for many years to get here. If music is your joy or your hobby, then work so that you can afford to play music. I made myself believe I was working for my toys (yeah for the wife and kid too but for my guitars and at the time my model airplanes and my old sports car). My wife still works in a stressful job but does it so she can afford to quilt. Work is just what you have to do to be able to do what you want to do even if you can't do it as much as you want. I never found councellors very useful because they seemed to believe that anything was possible for anyone and reality doesn't work that way. Incidentally, don't feel too bad about disloyalty. In real life, employees are there to make profit for employers and that's all. In times like these, that's the only relationship. Basically, you're working for yourself, temporarily hired out to someone else. Make the best of it and keep playing. |
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Subject: RE: How do you survive the day job? From: McGrath of Harlow Date: 05 Mar 09 - 07:43 PM I find myself working alongside the usual boring, small minded, bitchy people that you always find in offices. If they are all like that you are unlucky. I generally found there were always some people I got on with pretty well, some were OK enough, and only a few were real pains. A minor nuisance, except on the occasions when it was the ones in charge who were the real pains. Of course the real real pains tended to be the people who were in charge at a distance, yanking the strings of the poor bastards who were stuck in the middle pretending to be in charge. But that's another issue entirely. |
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Subject: RE: How do you survive the day job? From: Jane of 'ull Date: 05 Mar 09 - 08:06 PM 'Work is just what you have to do to be able to do what you want to do even if you can't do it as much as you want'. I liked that one Bruce, realistic but comforting. thanks. Yeah I don't mind doing boring work as long as the atmosphere and coworkers are good. I wouldnt want to do music for a living - it would take the joy out of it. Plus I think it's good to have something to 'kick against'. it fires your clay - as long as your day job doesnt piss you off too much - maybe just a little, to get you going and then you can vent your anger through your instrument! that has worked wonders for me sometimes. I guess it's all a question of balance really, like most things in life. I do have musician mates who work in similar jobs to mine, maybe I should just make a real effort to get a job in their department! |
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Subject: RE: How do you survive the day job? From: Janie Date: 05 Mar 09 - 08:56 PM I have sometimes hated my job and my working conditions, but I have, for the most part, always loved my work. I am very fortunate in that respect. Like a few others have said, make an investment in yourself and see a career counsellor. If you do not have a vocation at which you can make a living, do as others have suggested and do your best to make the "other 16 hours" fulfilling and satisfying. Try to respect the humanity of your co-workers in the same manner you want your humanity to be respected. Find what common ground you can. Suspend judging them. You will be less miserable. Otherwise, you are just letting them live rent-free in your head. |
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Subject: RE: How do you survive the day job? From: Janie Date: 05 Mar 09 - 09:06 PM I am remembering a young man who came to work for us as a "temp." He mostly typed dictation, but did any other clerical work that we needed done also. He was a graduate from Julliard, and played keyboard and saxaphone. A wonderfully talented musician who could type 130 wpm due to having played piano from age 5. We loved him and he loved us. He considered his skill at word processing to be something he could use to enable him to make enough money, in flexible circumstances, to continue to play his music. We eventually were able to hire him full-time. He stayed about another 18 months while he and his band were getting ready to go on the road. He left about 4 years ago, but has stayed in touch sporadically. Last week I got a call from a company in Chicago, requesting a reference. He will be going to work for them doing much the same thing he did for us. I called him to see how things were going. He is very happy in Chicago, playing jazz with a band, and looking forward to having a steady income for awhile to support his music habit. |
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Subject: RE: How do you survive the day job? From: Mark Ross Date: 05 Mar 09 - 09:16 PM The reason they call it work is that all the other good four letter words were taken. Mark Ross |
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Subject: RE: How do you survive the day job? From: GUEST,.gargoyle Date: 05 Mar 09 - 09:18 PM Jane O'ull- you are your own best physician - read your own words.... it would take the joy out of it.
Somehow you have permitted the "Joy Robbers" to enter into your life. You did not know it...you were not aware...but somehow, one and then another and another followed...under stress they bubbled to the top ...and you are unhappy.
You recognize you are unhappy. Many of us checking into Mudcat have probably never "WORKED" a day in our lives. (Rabbi Sol, Abby Sale, myself)
The "work" or "job" is not the source of your discontent. It is within you....you need to defeat the "Joy Robbers" by adopting a "Change in Attitude" aka a "New Attitude" aka a "A Counting of Beatitudes"
My precription for your woes -
Repeat daily, for the rest of your life.
Sincerely,
The choice is yours pills and ills or happiness and joy that springs from a well within...it is NOT about the job....you expect more from the job (aka happiness) than it expects from you.
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Subject: RE: How do you survive the day job? From: Joe Offer Date: 05 Mar 09 - 09:20 PM I retired in November, 1999, so it's a little hard to remember. My job required me to spend a lot of time waiting for appointments. I supposed I should have attempted to make myself look busy while I was waiting, but that was stressful. I took a book along wherever I went, and read while I was waiting. I finished most of the books of James Michener and Leon Uris that way. I also tried to visit art museums and historical landmarks wherever I went. Wish I had discovered folk music communities earlier in my career. I was "connected" through Mudcat the last three years of my job, and I had music wherever I went. -Joe, retired federal investigator- |
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Subject: RE: How do you survive the day job? From: Bobert Date: 05 Mar 09 - 09:22 PM Well, I have a love/hate relastionship with my job... I am renovating a 200 year old hotel that I bought so I am the boss... The bad news is that I am also the plumber, the electrican, the carpenter and way too many other things... But it is gratifying tho I haven't gotten one pay check in two years??? Like my brother says, "The work is hard but... ...the hours are long... LOL... B~ |
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Subject: RE: How do you survive the day job? From: sharyn Date: 05 Mar 09 - 09:50 PM Hi Jane, I aspire to retire because there are so many things I like to do with my time (paint, sing, play music, write, cook, garden -- in fact, just about anything other than housework and math). I do not recommend my solution to anyone -- it has its deficits -- but it works for me. I work in a recreation program for disabled children that includes able-bodied "neurotypicals" as well -- i.e. "regular kids. This is what I like about it: 1) For three-quarters of the year I work afternoons only (I am a morning person). I get the best of my day, the morning hours to write, paint, go to the recording studio, etc. By feeding myself first, it is possible for me to tolerate work. During the rest of the year -- summers and school vacations I work 8-10 hour days, but I know that this is finite: I can work eight hours a day for a limited period of time. 2) I get to work outside. Sometimes I get rained on, but I love the fresh air and being able to see trees. 3) Autistic kids don't like noise or loud music and neither do I -- I can take refuge with them when there is too much rap music about, or cheering sports fans 4) Because I am a non-salaried employee I can take time off whenever I wish: I just say I'm going to be gone and they have to get a sub for me (it's kind of like being a waitress and trading shifts), I make sure I'm available to them during the grueling summer program so that they don't object when I go off to meditation retreats four times a year, plus a music camp in December. 5) When I am not at work, my time is my own. I have no pager, no cell phone. If they call me for extra hours I can decide whether to accomodate them. The downside, if you're curious, is that I earn a high hourly wage, which they counteract by giving me relatively few hours of work per week (always under twenty) and I don't get health insurance or sick leave or paid holidays, which I would get if they would let me have twenty hours a week. Works for me. I have at least one co-worker I have a lot of friction with and a few I like a lot. My advice: figure out what is most important to you and arrange your life around it: I need to earn some money, but my life is about freedom and making art, so I use my best hours for myself and work gets the rest. This has the effect of putting me in a better mood at work because I have "worked" for myself first for five hours or so. Gargoyle was right on the money with gratitude practice as were all those who said, "That's why they call it work." Best of luck in changing your situation so that it works for you. Sharyn |
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Subject: RE: How do you survive the day job? From: mg Date: 05 Mar 09 - 10:13 PM I work for one reason only and that is for the state retirement and benefits. I do fairly routine work, not what I am trained in, but it is not bad work...probably short of soul-enhancing, but the people are nice, the work the office itself does is very important, although I personally am replaceable, and what is important to me, besides benefits, is fresh air, sunlight, lack of flourescent lights (which we have but have so much daylight from windows rarely use). Also not having to work with abusive (sometimes quite good at concealing it) women, which sexist statement or not, a whole bunch of us will attest work all over the place, and thank God I am a woman and not a man dealing with them because they can destroy men if they choose. Also important to me is safety in earthquakes, having worked in megabuildings at the University of washington for many years. I am pretty OK in an earthquake..problem is the tsunami will get me but you can't win them all. After work? I sleep. I don't know where people get all the energy to do all this other stuff. mg |
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Subject: RE: How do you survive the day job? From: Ian Fyvie Date: 05 Mar 09 - 11:28 PM Get a job or a work situation where you have control over your own thoughts. This made my 'minimum wage + a bit' (and last ever job) tolerabe right up to retirement. Despite the low income the situation was fine for composing songs, letters to the local press etc; and I could choose to either put stock away in a quiet corner or near one of several colleagues, when I wanted a chat or discussion on music/current affairs and - dare I say it - Sport. Ian Fyvie |
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Subject: RE: How do you survive the day job? From: matt milton Date: 06 Mar 09 - 02:58 AM "the usual boring, small minded, bitchy people that you always find in offices" Hey, speak for yourself! I work in an office. "I live in a city of small opportunity so have ended up in low paid clerical work" I think you have your answer right there. Take a big step. Move somewhere else. Gotta ask, if you are a. A musician b. Doing a dead-end temp clerical job then at the very least least you could be doing a different dead-end temp clerical job somewhere more interesting. |
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Subject: RE: How do you survive the day job? From: The Sandman Date: 06 Mar 09 - 03:33 AM my day job is playing music,I find it very satisfying,I survive it financially,because at my age I wouldnt get another,so Ihave to .http://www.dickmiles.com |
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Subject: RE: How do you survive the day job? From: jonm Date: 06 Mar 09 - 03:49 AM I have a management job. The folks who work for me are all well-intentioned, talented people, so the management side is mostly acting as an umbrella for them from all which falls from on high and senior management. I don't like the work as much as I like the people, which is the real upside. I had to put many other activities, musical, dance etc. on hold, or at least reduce commitments, due to the working hours and demand on me. There have been many evenings when I've come in from work and gone to bed. Should I have given up other opportunities for this? I always felt that I was putting food on the tabel for my family and we were comfortable enough that I could think about clearing mortgages early and downshifting when I reached my 50s. I've been made redundant and leave at the end of March. So now I'm in the position of an unemployed, high-value manager among many others in a dwindling job market, and someone who put a lot of "life" on hold for a career which is being terminated. Would I have done it differently if I'd known? Probably. Shorter hours, less unpaid overtime, more sessions and gigs. I might even have an alternative source of income from my music to tide me over if I had. |
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Subject: RE: How do you survive the day job? From: Richard Bridge Date: 06 Mar 09 - 03:53 AM "management side is mostly acting as an umbrella for them from all which falls from on high and senior management" - that is a very unusual view of management. |
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Subject: RE: How do you survive the day job? From: Liz the Squeak Date: 06 Mar 09 - 04:00 AM I survive my day job (where internet useage is banned except at break times and then severely restricted and iPods/MP3s are forbidden) by holding conversations in my head with people who piss me off. And then I wonder why they've taken all my scissors away... LTS |
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Subject: RE: How do you survive the day job? From: cobra Date: 06 Mar 09 - 04:01 AM "that is a very unusual view of management." care to explain why you consider that "unusual"? |
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Subject: RE: How do you survive the day job? From: Mavis Enderby Date: 06 Mar 09 - 04:08 AM Richard - jonm's comments lead me to think he's a very good manager: unfortunately picking your way through "all which falls from on high and senior management" is a large part of modern working life, particularly in large organizations. It's sometimes amazing that anything productive gets done at all... Pete. |
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Subject: RE: How do you survive the day job? From: Bryn Pugh Date: 06 Mar 09 - 05:40 AM Dear Jane of 'Ull, I came out of retirement to do the job I'm doing. I get paid for two loves, Gardening and Law, so that, whatever else it might be, it isn't work. And I have time for other loves, such as Traditional Music, playing for the Morris (because one bionic knee and another in the pipeline don't allow mw to dance, now); my family ; et al. Either concentrate on your music, and do the day job to fund it, or GOYA. That last is said as encouragement, not criticism. I hope all goes well for you. Regards, |
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Subject: RE: How do you survive the day job? From: GUEST,MC Fat (at work) Date: 06 Mar 09 - 05:49 AM I've been a year in a little part time (4hrs a day) admin job which pays reasonably well but here's the best bit 2 days a week i'm in the office by myself and the other three I am joined by a collegue who works even less hours than me. |
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Subject: RE: How do you survive the day job? From: pavane Date: 06 Mar 09 - 05:58 AM Retirement is receding over the horizon faster than I can run. Pension funds decimated, so I must keep working, partly to support the offspring who can't get work due to the depressed jobs market... But I work freelance, which means I can usually ignore all the hierarchical stuff. Don't like the boss? Get a new one. Far better than when I was a 'permanent' employee (in a company which has not existed for many years). |
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Subject: RE: How do you survive the day job? From: nickp Date: 06 Mar 09 - 06:20 AM Sneak onto Mudcat regularly and tick off the days (years) until the mortgage is paid... |
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Subject: RE: How do you survive the day job? From: Mooh Date: 06 Mar 09 - 10:12 AM I didn't survive one day desk/road job. The brain literally went on vacation without notice one day and it took a year to recover. All stress related stuff. Other labour/grunt day jobs were merely a way to get a pay cheque and benefits without unnecessarily bringing the job home. I survived them by protecting my hands and ears and back, pacing myself, wearing a CD player at almost all times, practicing stress relief through deep breathing, exercise, massage therapy and chiropractic attention. I also made it a personal policy not to take any BS from the brass, it's less stressful than kissing their collective posteriors. Now I number myself among the lucky few who eventually made music my day job. I like teaching, and I like being paid for it. For several years that's what I've done, successfully, praying that the economic collapse doesn't reach this far. Peace, Mooh. |
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Subject: RE: How do you survive the day job? From: Zen Date: 06 Mar 09 - 10:25 AM The brain literally went on vacation without notice one day... All stress related stuff. I can certainly relate to that. Zen |
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Subject: RE: How do you survive the day job? From: Banjiman Date: 06 Mar 09 - 10:58 AM By posting on Mudcat while on on business conference calls..... just like now! |
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Subject: RE: How do you survive the day job? From: GUEST,Barnacle (at work) Date: 06 Mar 09 - 10:59 AM I am a non-survivor - went to work January 5th to be told "this centre is closing" My job was ok but would entail travelling 25 miles instead of the 2 miles I travel now. So, I have taken the money! I explained how important my work/life balance was - to not much avail. I have been lucky, though, and found a job paying only a little less for only 3 days per week - much better balance methinks. Why did I not do this years ago??? |
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Subject: RE: How do you survive the day job? From: GUEST,Golightly Date: 06 Mar 09 - 11:12 AM Jane, I work in Leeds and the train I travel on starts in Hull. It's crammed full of workers commuting from Hull to Leeds each day. If Hull's not giving you the job you want (though I like Hull myself), why not try Leeds and join us on the morning train? The commute's not so bad; I've met some lovely people on that train, including the partner of a very well known East Riding musician. And Leeds' wages are better too......... |
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Subject: RE: How do you survive the day job? From: John P Date: 06 Mar 09 - 12:25 PM I work for a company that builds musical instruments. It makes it barely tolerably to not play music all day. I'm not cut out to be a full-time folk musician. I tried, but I don't like going on tour, I don't like teaching lessons, and I got very tired of playing a weddings several years ago. So now I play one or two gigs a month, doing music that I don't have to worry about being commercially viable. My biggest problem is that there are levels of skill I know I could get to but I don't have enough practice time for. |
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Subject: RE: How do you survive the day job? From: Jane of 'ull Date: 06 Mar 09 - 12:41 PM Yeah I've thought about teaching music but 1. I'm crap at it, I've no patience, 2. I hate reading the dots, 3. I cant explain to others what I do, I just seem to know where to put my fingers and dont want to analyse why! retirement not an option, I'm only 38 and just started my full time career really after bringing up a child on my own, I'm still a lone parent (by choice) so have to work to bring bread to the table unfortunately. wouldn't mind commuting to leeds or whatever but it may tire me too much to do my music of an evening. I'm hoping to get a slightly better paid job thats not too stressful, get something together musically and do enough gigs to top up my income so I can have a better standard of living. |
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Subject: RE: How do you survive the day job? From: Don(Wyziwyg)T Date: 06 Mar 09 - 01:44 PM "management side is mostly acting as an umbrella for them from all which falls from on high and senior management" - that is a very unusual view of management." Maybe so Richard, but THAT'S the manager most of us would wish to be working under. Jane luv, after forty years of drudgery jobs I can relate precisely to your feelings re the job. It may be that those feelings are spoiling the way in which you relate to your colleagues, and taking a step back to consider the root of your feelings re those people may be beneficial. I don't have any ready answers but, perhaps a saying to help you get through "Nil Carborundum" (Don't let it grind you down) Don T. |
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Subject: RE: How do you survive the day job? From: jonm Date: 06 Mar 09 - 03:16 PM Thanks for kind words, don and burton. |
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Subject: RE: How do you survive the day job? From: breezy Date: 06 Mar 09 - 03:26 PM Keep up the flirting |
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Subject: RE: How do you survive the day job? From: mg Date: 07 Mar 09 - 12:59 AM I also listen to Rush Limbaugh and Fiona Ritchie when no one is in the office, plus I have one of those neat countertop glass convection ovens so I cook a nice lunch. I also have a rhododendrun bower and two ponds on our property that I visit. Saw two deer there yesterday. What else...I have a neat feather duster so sometimes I dust things...but usually I keep pretty busy. It is a very pretty place. mg |
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Subject: RE: How do you survive the day job? From: katlaughing Date: 07 Mar 09 - 01:21 AM jonm, count me as another who appreciates good management as you've described. When I was in sales, that's exactly what our sales manager did, among other things. He would go to bat for any of us as long as we played it straight with him, etc. Good managers who really care about their people are rare gems these days. IMO, a lot of people would benefit greatly from some of what Jack Mitchell writes about in his book, >Hug Your People. There are some really neat stories in this thread...what wondrous, creative people you all are and of such integrity to your own selves. Makes me proud to *know* you. kat |
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Subject: RE: How do you survive the day job? From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker Date: 07 Mar 09 - 01:30 AM How do you survive the day job? I didn't I caved in.. gave up.. rested up.. licked my wounds.. and resorted to the 'getting married to a career woman' option.. life aint so bad as a middle aged house husband.. do my chores and duties.. amuse her and keep her relatively satisfied.. ..get my occasional cheap guitars and weekend rough cider allowance.. life aint so bad.... so how do the old jokes go.. "what do you call a guitar player without a girl friend...." |
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Subject: RE: How do you survive the day job? From: goatfell Date: 07 Mar 09 - 08:55 AM where I live the question asked is what is a job? |
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Subject: RE: How do you survive the day job? From: Phot Date: 07 Mar 09 - 09:41 AM When I left school many years ago, my first job was working on the Somerset levels, laying drainage pipes in all weathers from dawn until dusk, and being on the old YTS (Youth training scheme) was paid the grand sum of £25 per week. I loved it, my idea of hell was to work in an office. Fast foward a good few years, and here I am, still in the Navy, unlikley to go to sea again(Hurrah!) working in an office with no windows, looking at three computer screens all day, and I love it! The base I work at is a national arboretum, its quiet, has black squirrels, green, greater, and lesser soptted woodpeckers, has a bunch of like minded nutters who insist on driving ancient Landrovers! How do I survive? Find people in the office with the same interests, (Landrovers, railways, history, aircraft, folk) make time to have a chat about the said interests, smile and say good morning, even to the boss! Most importantly, look foward to the weekend, and be with the ones you love! Wassail!! Chris |
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Subject: RE: How do you survive the day job? From: Ptarmigan Date: 07 Mar 09 - 09:48 AM "How do other people cope?" Well Jane, I gave up my 9 to 5 twelve years ago & now my day job is going around some of the local Primary schools teaching interested kids to play Traditional music! There's no money in it & no paid holidays or pension plan but It's like being on holiday ... every day! Cheers Dick |
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Subject: RE: How do you survive the day job? From: skarpi Date: 07 Mar 09 - 09:55 AM Hallo Jane :>) in this crisis , be happy that you have a job :>) at least you have money to get food and clothes. Be glad and hold on to it as long as you can . you said : I sometimes get so pissed off that I don't want to pick up my instrument, I can't seem to switch off when I get home. :( are you sure its the work that is bothering you ?? have thought about other things , like are you happy ? is it something home , some around you ( other than in work ) ? sorry I asked , but I have been in your place and I am just wandering :>) All the best Skarpi Iceland |
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Subject: RE: How do you survive the day job? From: Ron Davies Date: 07 Mar 09 - 10:08 AM I work in an office in a large building. Everybody in the office has a great sense of humor--which helps immeasurably. I also find music makes everything better. I sing in the stairwell--never take the elevator. I sing walking to the subway every day-not loud, just to myself. It's 4 long songs or 5 short songs to the subway. And I sing according to the weather. If the weather is good, I sing C & W. Misty or raining--Irish or pub songs. Real blustery--sea songs. Unless I'm trying to memorize something--then I sing that. People are probably convinced I have a very small Bluetooth or something in my ear. When I sing "M'name's Napoleon Bonaparte, I'm the conqueror of all nations", everybody else crosses to the other side of the street. Can't figure out why. And I sing sotto voce while walking down the corridor. And after everybody else leaves for the day. Admittedly I'm lucky in a lot of ways. Among other things, I've been able to convince my co-workers to have their radios tuned really low--we all keep our music to ourselves. But they know I sing. They sometimes come to my group's concerts at the Kennedy Center. Also, among other things, a co-worker and I have written parodies for retirement parties, etc--to Gilbert and Sullivan, Beatles, folk, etc. It's really appreciated. If you carry your own music--in your head--it really helps get through any day. |
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Subject: RE: How do you survive the day job? From: RamblinStu Date: 07 Mar 09 - 10:39 AM "the usual boring, small minded, bitchy people that you always find in offices" I too work in this kind of environment, but like most of us I need the money. I have coped by switching off; doing he work required, and laughing at the antics of my co-workers. Most importantly I have attached a motto to my pc that reads "Don't count the days, make the days count" It works for me |
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Subject: RE: How do you survive the day job? From: dick greenhaus Date: 07 Mar 09 - 11:06 AM When my kids were young,, I told them that everyone should have hobbies. And you should try to make a living pursuing your favorite one. Worked for me (I'm on my fourth retirement; works for my daughter (who's a self-employed landscape gardner) and my son(who rents, maintains and manages a stable of sports racing cars.) Maybe it's luck, but I think a lot of it consists of deciding what you really want to spend your time doing. |
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Subject: RE: How do you survive the day job? From: Liz the Squeak Date: 07 Mar 09 - 11:19 AM Ah, alas, what I REALLY want to spend my time doing is illegal in several states and frowned upon in public places so I guess I'll stick to sewing and card making. :D LTS |
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Subject: RE: How do you survive the day job? From: matt milton Date: 07 Mar 09 - 01:38 PM "My biggest problem is that there are levels of skill I know I could get to but I don't have enough practice time for" John P that I can strongly relate to. It was a hell of a lot easier when I was playing in rock bands to do it on top of the 9-5. But when you're playing solo fingerstyle guitar and singing it's suddenly something that requires constant practice: if I go for a week without running through the songs and practising the tricky bits then things start to slide. Playing in rock bands that kind of thing didn't really show the same way. I actually have a travel guitar stashed under my desk and a Zoom portable MP3/WAV recorder in my drawer. Because I work in a humungous 10-story building I can normally find somewhere to have a quick quiet play one lunch hour a week. I've also made a few "found sound" collages, just recording stuff around the building and on the streets outside. Achieves a remarkable level of feelgood factor doing things like that during office hours... |
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Subject: RE: How do you survive the day job? From: GUEST,green wellies Date: 08 Mar 09 - 04:02 PM Oh so all people who work in offices are boring, small minded and bitchy - what a sweeping generalisation. I have worked in an office environment all my working life, some 35 years, and find your remark extremely offensive. I have a very interesting job, working as personal assistant for a great boss of a very successful international company (even in this economic climate we have just received a 10% profit share !). The company is successful because of the people who work for it, they are not small minded, boring or bitchy. They are individuals; talented, intellegent, bright, and funny. Perhaps your remark reflects more on you, than the people with whom you work. I dont consider it surviving, but enjoying the day job which enables me to earn money to enjoy the music I love. |
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Subject: RE: How do you survive the day job? From: VirginiaTam Date: 08 Mar 09 - 04:53 PM I have worked fastfood, run kiddie daycare, worked retail as stocker and cashier, cleaned houses, walked dogs, scooped cat poop, wknd/evening manager of distance education programme, worked in admin HR and clerk in Payroll, office manager in a Career Advice Centre, edited and verified US Federal Code, admin in Community Mental Health, admin and officer in Schools Service (specifically for School Governors) and now admin in Heritage and Arts Service. Quite a lot of my work has always been mind numbing. I just get on with it. Bills to pay and all that. I start by doing the least attractive jobs first. Get the crap over with, then move onto the more challenging/interesting stuff as a sort of reward. Luckily, I can listen to music while I work now more than I could in 2 previous posts. Constant ringing phones = why bother getting the MP3 player out. I have gotten on well with almost all colleagues. I am something of a clown and not afraid to take time to play and joke around. Good for the soul and keeps everyone from becoming too serious. Had a few run-ins with manager/head of department types over the years. I survived. re work/life balance and all that, I do bring some stuff home, but it is stuff I want to crack or organise, so is enjoyable. |
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Subject: RE: How do you survive the day job? From: M.Ted Date: 08 Mar 09 - 05:28 PM The most immediately useful advice so far was to take the train to Leeds where the jobs and the pay is better. If you can do it, do it. Don't worry about being too tired to do your music thing--you'll find a way, as we all have. There is nothing more exhausting than working a low-paying, unsatisfying job. |
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