ATTN Working Stiffs, How do you keep a positive attitude?

danh920

danh920

CAGiversary!
Feedback
83 (100%)
Now I know I shouldn't be in any position to complain, I'm really not complaining, I get an OK paycheck and work decent hours, especially with what's happening in this world and hearing about people like Pat Tillman and what not, but I gotta hear what other people have to say about this, because I doubt I'm alone.

My job does not feel that different from Office Space, I'm a college grad and like many, was greeted with a limited job market upon finishing school. I feel like I roll my eyes at all the infinite wisdom that is preached by management and I get nothing meaningful out of what I do. Maybe I'm just extra bored today and looking to get thru the daily grind.

Maybe this is the last step before I drag the laser printer outside and knock the shaq fu out of it with a bat (damn it feels good to be a gangsta).

The moral of this post is, "What do you say to yourself every morning to drag yourself to this place known as work"

I'm looking for positive thoughts that I've never heard. I know there's worse jobs, and I should just be happy to be employed, but I KNOW that there's one or two of you out there feeling me.
 
If you're in a job that you don't like, then I can't help you. I'm in IT, I've been around computers for most of my life, it's what I'd be doing even if I wasn't paid to do it.

What do I say to myself each morning? "Let's go get paid to do virtually nothing besides slack off."

Hmmm...at least I feel better now.
 
It is indeed very hard to insert excitement into your life. If you don't like your job but you can't do anything about it at the moment because there isn't another job. I'd said that best thing to do is to schedule fun events or do some hobbies/sports everyday. This way there is be something for you to look forward to when you wake up.
 
Im feeling this thread today, big time.

My jobs not bad, im under paid, not just feeling like I am, I actually am.
I just got $200 a month cut because supposedly my department went over budget last month. (my scheduled hours have not changed in over a year so I know I did not cause us to run over budget) Supposedly im in the lead for a good promotion next year, Ive used that as light to motivate myself. As of right now I just wanna f'ing walk out.
I think im tired of seeing losers making the same or a hair less hourly being worthless nimrods, and me getting $200 whacked off my pay because of budget.

Im on a ridiculous wedding budget and not having that money is really gonna hurt.

I think if I tell my boss im gonna get way to pissed and its not going to be in my best interest. But im in a horrible mood and its very very obvious Im pissed.
 
Whats so important about a positive attitude?

The best thing to do it vent. If you feel like being pissy about shit then do it. Why fake a smile.
 
Eh I decided to go pass my displeasure along to the boss.
Didnt help anything except make it clear im pissed.

I hate working..........I need go the defender route and do something I love because I love it not because it pays.

off to gyno school :)
 
Yeah, I think many of us feel that way at times. They way I vent, and the way I'm sure many of you do as well is to play video games. I play them every freakin night before I go to bed. I get home lat usually. Its 9 PM now and I just walked in the door. After this post, I'll go upstairs and kiss my kids goodnight. Then I'll grab the wife to spend some Tivo time with her as I eat my dinner. She goes to bed no later than 11 PM. Then its GAME TIME! Well, for an hour anyway. But that hour of gaming is crucial to me the clear the board to start another day. Peace.
 
I hate my job and I get paid a shitload. :? I'm starting to come to terms with the fact that I will always hate my job (unless I stumble on to playing videogames or centerfield for the Mets for a living) so I might as well pimp myself out for as much money as possible... So sad... :cry:
 
http://www.despair.com/indem.html

If you haven't seen the demotivators check them out. Some of them ring home in a big way.

A few of my favorites:

demotivators_1786_6700527.jpg


demotivators_1786_5415821.jpg


demotivators_1786_7149748.jpg
 
While I don't love my job, I enjoy the perks.

Decent pay, work at home, very good benefits, and they will pay for my MBA. I can't complain with this job market.
 
Do you honestly need to feel happy or excited at work? It's just something you do out of necessity; you need money to function in society. You don't look for enjoyment when you do other compulsitory activities like trips to the bathroom do you?

The BEST way to get through a crappy job is to keep emotions out of the equation entirely. Engage yourself fully in your tasks, but don't stress over them. Stress makes work days seem an eternity. Problem? Don't think of it as out-of-the-ordinary. The more you can do that, the less stress it will cause.

That, or start looking for a job that you will actually enjoy. That is much harder, though, even when the job market is good.
 
I have gripes about my job like everyone else. But I just try to keep emotion out of it. And if I can't then I just think that there are many worse situations that I could be in. My co-workers are kind of cool, the company is of the progressive sort, so dress-code is pretty relaxed (wearing jeans today, though I still tuck in my button ups). There are perks like having a DVD burner and a kick butt scanner (I'm a media guru or sorts). Somtimes I have to work really late and it sucks because my commute is almost 2 hours EACH WAY. But the best thing that keeps my spirits up is that I'm moving into the city that I work in this coming weekend. No More 4 hours of commuting, it'll be down to about an hour now. And that kicks ass. I also try to keep my cubicle looking cool with neat decor like my "what to do in an emergency" airplane card, my buddha statue and my Sirius Satellite Radio.
 
I work for a large company, but in an office with only 2 other people. While sometimes stressful, we're extemely close, so it's like a 2nd family at work (though I'm 20 years younger). My job is service based, some people are just assholes, but the good ones make up for it. I met my girlfriend through work, she works at the bank where we go for deposits, so I look forward to seeing her even when we have busy schedules outside of work. Next door is a bar/grill where I happen to know a few people, so after a tough day at work, I can score a free drink when they're working, and they can vent to me if they're having a long day, and they do. I'm killing time on this site while I'm working right now, so that's a plus too. You gotta look at the little things that make your day go by faster.
 
I'm gonna go with everyone who said to take emotion out of it. It's a job. If it was awesome, you'd say "I'm off to the theme park" instead of "work" You go there to get paid so that you can afford to do the things you like to do. Its hard to check emotion at the door, and so I try to tune people out and set my own goals. I have good days at work when I feel as if I've been productive. I have bad days when I just let crap pile up because I was checking out some gaming forum all day try to help other losers with their problems :) Also, if you are allowed, listen to music. If you are not allowed, ask your boss about letting you try it out.
Lastly, think of what this is giving you: Money, Stability, employability (easier to get a job when you have one), and hopefully you can have a fat retirement because you worked your ass off.
 
What keeps me going day after day working for someone else is knowing that, before long, I won't have to do it anymore.

I'm a computer programmer, but I also own my own business. The money I make from my primary job is going toward paying off our debt. When the time comes that my own business can support our family, I'll get to do that full time.

In the meantime, having time to yourself helps. One poster mentioned playing games at night after his wife is asleep; I do the same. Also, I make a point of always leaving the office to go have lunch, and I like to take a book or a crossword puzzle magazine with me. I'm also lucky enough to have flexible hours. Most people use them to come in late, but it's really better to come in early, because that means you get to leave early and have a larger block of uninterrupted time at the end of the day.
 
[quote name='PsyClerk']

What do I say to myself each morning? "Let's go get paid to do virtually nothing besides slack off."[/quote]

But this only works to take away the annoying/lowpay/boring thoughts half the time.

Anyways what I do everyday is find things to make me look like im doing something. I do this about 95% of my time here.
 
homer3.gif

Lisa, if you don't like your job you don't strike. You just go in every day and do it really half-assed. That's the American way.
-- Homer Simpson


But honestly' I just try to be like the mighty Vulcan and not let anything affect me emotionally, then stuff doesn't bother me. If it does then I put the Vulcan Death Grip on their ass. :lol:
 
[quote name='PsyClerk']If you're in a job that you don't like, then I can't help you. I'm in IT, I've been around computers for most of my life, it's what I'd be doing even if I wasn't paid to do it.

What do I say to myself each morning? "Let's go get paid to do virtually nothing besides slack off."

Hmmm...at least I feel better now.[/quote]

Is that how a job in IT is like? I've been searching for an IT job for a while now, but with no luck.
 
I work in IT, some days it's shit-crazy, other days have a fair amount of slack off time. But there is always something to do, if there isn't you either support a very small number of people/servers, have shit security, or just aren't doing your job very well.

Unless you can get a job as the manager of a beer factory staffed by large-breasted hookers, you'll probably not like your job. Just find something that sucks the least.

I've heard a lot of people say things like "yeah my job sucks but I put up with because it allows me to afford all these neat toys." I don't think that's a very good attitude to have - your toys don't love you and before long you become a slave to them. I know too many people who live beyond their means just to have fancy cars. "Who are you working for?" I ask them. "For you or your car?"

I'm happy just coming home, hanging out with my girlfriend and friends, tinkering in the garage, making music with my bands, just taking things easy.
 
[quote name='paean']and they will pay for my MBA. [/quote]

My work paid for my MBA too. Unfortunately, I finished it this past December, and I'm still working at the same deadend job. In today's economy, just about any degree by itself is no guarantee that you'll find a better job.
 
I'm about to graduate college soon, I was planning to go to grad school but my GPA's not good enough. I was looking through MonsterTrak and there's no jobs even remotely close to what I'm looking for.

So basically the way I see it, if you have a job, you should be thankful for it. At this point I'd rather have a well-paying job that I tolerate than be in the situation I'm in now.
 
[quote name='ezempel']I work in IT, some days it's shit-crazy, other days have a fair amount of slack off time. But there is always something to do, if there isn't you either support a very small number of people/servers, have shit security, or just aren't doing your job very well.[/quote]

There is NOT always something to do. What the hell does security have to do with my having work to do?

I'll grant you that when I first started here last year, there was a ton of work to be done, mostly backlogged repairs. We also added a ton of new hardware, both server side and workstations. But when you're THIS good, stuff gets done fast and then you can coast the rest of the way.

Now...when I worked in the private sector, I was never caught up. I hope to never go back to that sort of schedule again. In fact, my last employers actually called me up to try to lure me back to work for them. They offered to match my current salary plus give me a vehicle. The deal breaker? I said I enjoyed the more relaxed atmosphere here, and when I was at the old job, it was always helter-skelter seat-of-your-pants scheduling, so you always seemed impossibly behind in your work. They couldn't guarantee that would change, so here I sit.
 
I went to law school for one reason: I believed I could make more money with a law degree than without one.

I also accept that ALL work is $hit. All jobs. Don't give me any "what I do is meaningful" crap.

Its all about the money you make - that in turn allows you material wealth which makes everything better.

Vacations, games, TiVo, tickets to events - that, that is what makes life worth living.

You have to look beyond your job.

Because they ALL suck.

CTL
 
My family is all in bed usually by 11pm. By midnight I am usually starting to play some Counter Strike and I play for 2-4 hours most nights. Its also nice running my own server so I get to feel godlike banning anyone I have a problem with. Its a great stress reliever. I always found FPSers to be great at getting the stress out. Nothing like a shotgun and taking out 4-5 guys in about 30 seconds at close range. Oh the joy!

Sawed off shotgun everyones got one!
 
[quote name='CTLesq']I went to law school for one reason: I believed I could make more money with a law degree than without one.

I also accept that ALL work is $hit. All jobs. Don't give me any "what I do is meaningful" crap.

Its all about the money you make - that in turn allows you material wealth which makes everything better.

Vacations, games, TiVo, tickets to events - that, that is what makes life worth living.

You have to look beyond your job.

Because they ALL suck.

CTL[/quote]
ditto on this and the sooner you get to understand this the quicker you will be successful at work
 
It's hard to evoke sympathy from me, but damn if you guys haven't done it. I truly feel sorry for all of you who believe 'all jobs suck.' I hope you can one day find employment where you do something you enjoy.

Am I the ONLY one who doesn't hate his work?
 
One thing that helps me stay positive is reminding myself of all the crappier jobs I've worked.

Example: Back in the day, when I was scraping low bank in high school, purchasing a $.75 soda represented a significant hit on my hourly income.

Now, one very expensive degree later, there's drinks restocked in my refrigerator every day and more Moet than I could ever take down in a week.

It's all about relativity and progress. Unless you're going to win the lottery or your last name's Hilton, get used to the idea that you're going to have to invest yourself somehow to carve out your little niche in the world.

It's just up to you to make that process suck as little as possible...be it by adapting your attitude of work or picking better numbers for Powerball.
 
[quote name='PsyClerk']It's hard to evoke sympathy from me, but damn if you guys haven't done it. I truly feel sorry for all of you who believe 'all jobs suck.' I hope you can one day find employment where you do something you enjoy.

Am I the ONLY one who doesn't hate his work?[/quote]

Its not about hating work. Its trade offs.

Who the shaq-fu wants to be a teacher who gets paid nothing (but has months off at a time) and who does nothing but complain about how they aren't paid?

Alternatively you can get paid alot, deal with the stress, go on vacations, provide for your family, and buy whatever you want.

But the second choice comes with a heavy price to pay.

I have decided it is worth paying.

Given the choice of being poor and miserable or well-to-do and looking forward to my next vacation while I kill someone at work, I will take the second option.

CTL
 
[quote name='ezempel']
I've heard a lot of people say things like "yeah my job sucks but I put up with because it allows me to afford all these neat toys." I don't think that's a very good attitude to have - your toys don't love you and before long you become a slave to them. I know too many people who live beyond their means just to have fancy cars. "Who are you working for?" I ask them. "For you or your car?"

I'm happy just coming home, hanging out with my girlfriend and friends, tinkering in the garage, making music with my bands, just taking things easy.[/quote]

How do you afford your instruments? do you like to have good instruments, or do you pick them up at Wal-mart? What are you working for? Money, when it comes down to it, that's what you work for. Sure, there are assholes who make a living painting and they love to paint, but when you are forced to do it, its a job , if you are not forced to do it, its a hobby, and it costs money that you make from working (I'm not going to get into trust-fund babies). So if Joe wants to go out and work his ass off for a fancy car, and he gets his fancy car, GOOD FOR JOE. He's working for himself, SAME AS YOU. You and Joe just have different ideals and lifestyles.
 
CTLesq, I understand your position. My position is that it doesn't have to be poor-good job, rich-bad job. I make a pretty decent living. I'm not rich by any stretch of the imagination, but I do ok for myself. At the same time, I have a job that I enjoy.

I know other people like myself, they get paid (in some cases, obscene amounts of money) to do something they already like. I don't see any trade-offs in those cases.

Maybe it's not the norm, but it ought to be.
 
[quote name='PsyClerk']It's hard to evoke sympathy from me, but damn if you guys haven't done it. I truly feel sorry for all of you who believe 'all jobs suck.' I hope you can one day find employment where you do something you enjoy.

Am I the ONLY one who doesn't hate his work?[/quote]

I enjoy my job when I'm actually coding. I hate the mountains and mountains of meaningless process and bureaucratic horseshit I have to put up with on a daily basis. I've seen so much busy-work creep into my job in the last five years it's a wonder anyone gets any actual work done. Still, I never dread coming into work. My co-workers are great, and we find plenty of ways to amuse ourselves. I would gladly work here for the next 30 years, but given current trends in the industry I don't see that happening.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
bread's done
Back
Top