Monday, January 2, 2012
Last day of vacation...
I have been off work now since December 23rd. We didn't go on any big trip or do anything particularly noteworthy, and parenting 24/7 for 11 days in a row isn't any picnic...but I am not at all interested in going back to work. Not. At. All.
As often happens, I find something to think about when I'm feeling like this...lately in the blog world, othertimes in my meditation readings, and sometimes it can even turn up in a TV show or a conversation in passing...today it was from Therese at The Unlost, who wrote here about saving yourself from "shoulditis". It had a lot to do with how we find jobs and/or careers for ourselves and one line that stood out is this one:
Most of us are either (a) Completely lost, confused, and directionless when it comes to what we want to do with our lives, (b) Stuck in a career path we don’t enjoy but feel powerless to leave, or (c) Both of the above.
I will be back to visit The Unlost for the ongoing discussion of this topic, but it got me thinking about where I fall in this spectrum when it comes to my job. Would I like to do something else? Well, sure, I think I would, but at the same time, I may just be thinking "greener pastures" because perhaps the problem is within me and not about my job at all.
Here is what I know:
1. I need to work outside the home.
2. I need to interact with people at work.
3. I need to be self-directed - not because I want to, but because I need to.
4. I am good at my current job, but the inherent political frustrations that come with it, combined with the emotional subject matter, oftentimes suck the life right out of me.
5. I need to have freedom to be myself at work - a buttoned down life is not for me.
6. Lifetime movies really suck (some Christmas nonsense is on TV right now, sorry...)
My current job:
1. Good people to work with, who also like and value me.
2. Decent money
3. I'm good at it
4. Job security
5. I get personal satisfaction from what I do, even in the midst of having the life sucked out of me.
Hmmmmmm.....
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My advice to middle school students was find something you like to do. Forget about making a lot of money. Find a job that does not have you looking constantly at the clock. I convinced them I was right, because I loved my job, and I sure wasn't making any money.
ReplyDeleteWOW! Sarah! You nailed my situation precisely. Your "Here's What i Know" section mirrors my work to a T (except I have to take your word for it on the Lifetime movies....). #4 is the killer and the part that makes me want to leave. And I want to quote you on those five things that go along with your current job. I definitely do get satisfaction from my work and my life is getting sucked out of me. Daily. Only not this week since I still have it off. How to deal? Let me think about this one.....
ReplyDeleteHi Sarah! Glad I got my energy up to come check out your blog! I really like it and, like sebtown294, your list could have been written by me! I spent alot of years in a financial services company feeling like I didn't fit the mold and when my position was eliminated in June I was thrilled! Still figuring out what I want to do when I grow up, but it's been a great journey so far.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I love the writer's challenge! I'll be giving it a try. Thanks for the inspiration!
I'm having a lot of the same thoughts regarding work right now. Like you, I need/want to work outside the home and interact with other people (read: adults). I've come to the conclusion that working part-time might be the best solution. It would give me more time with my family, and time to develop my independent programs. Now the challenge is finding something that fits.
ReplyDeleteGood luck!