I promised in my last post to reveal how a greeting card changed my life. No, I didn’t use it to fend of an attacker with threats of a paper cut. Speaking of crime and greeting cards, I once heard that almost all greetings cards are written by inmates of our penal system. Think about that next time you’re at the grocery store buying a card: “Happy Birthday Billy, I couldn’t write anything myself, so I paid Luther at the State Penitentiary to write this card for you while he was on a break from making Shivs. Have a happy day! Where’s the cake?”
I received an accordion style birthday card when I was 8. It was printed on very heavy paper with each page containing a cartoonish picture of stereotypical men’s jobs of the 70’s: astronaut, football player, doctor, scientist, etc. I can remember placing the card on my wooden headboard opened to the page with the crazy-haired scientist surrounded by bubbling test tubes and Bunsen burners. I would look at that crazy scientist inventor guy at night and think, “With science I can change the world”. The question is: Have I done it?
Good question. Even though I’m reminded of a certain president that twisted the definition of words to try and save his ass, marriage legacy, I can confidently say I’ve changed the world, maybe not exactly the way mini-MAG thought, but in ways that satisfy me (and if you consider Computer Science a science). And that’s the key with our jobs isn’t it? I tell my boys that they should do what they love first (are there video game playing jobs?) and success will be the natural outcome when that is the focus.
Having to spend eight hours a day doing something unsatisfying will kill your soul faster than green grass through a goose. If you’re in this situation and want to cure RTE at work here’s what MAG recommends:
1. “Quit your job” is what the Oprah and Phil’s of the world would recommend. So easy to say when you have millions in the bank and a sporty chick-magnet mustache. MAG tends to be a little more practical. Simply change what you focus on at work to bring the things you love into your position (or change position). If you should have been an artist than doodle in meetings form an Art Committee to “spruce up this old place with some art” or start an art scholarship fund paid for by your company.
2. Challenge yourself at work to do those things that don’t come naturally. Not a public speaker? Volunteer to give a presentation on wicket manufacturing. You may hate it, but at least you’re not bored.
3. Teach or consult. MAGs have lots of experiences and are dying for opportunities to share them (yawn). There are groups of people called students that will actually pay to listen to MAGs pontificate about the time you stole that cow how to knock on doors and sell wickets at the “C” level.
4. Bring your work home. Huh? Simply do the things you love at home. At night when the kids and wife are asleep write about being a middle age guy (sorry that’s taken*)…or if you are secretly an audio-video (think high school A/V guy) geek, create the best home entertainment system in town and be sure to take your time to make the projects last.
5. More…there have to be tons of other ideas, feel free to contribute your comments below.
Remember: Employee of the month is a good example of how somebody can be both a winner and a loser at the same time.
* MAG is always looking for contributors to contribute.
2 Comments from MAG Readers:
I find focusing on turning my job into something I have a passion for works and makes sense. We MAG's have a thin line to walk. Meeting family obligations ($$) while at the same time staying sane. If we can't spend at least part of our day doing something we have passion for we'll go nuts.
ben:
Over the years it seems that some colleagues have just given in and accepted their jobs, basically turning themselves into George Jetsons. No goals, no future, just button-pushing complainers waiting to get into their space car for the flight home. Your statement about focusing (or re-focusing) couldn't be more right on. Thanks for the post.
Post a Comment