If you like your job, are you always happy?

[masraum]

I'm sure I know the answer to this but, it's hard to see right now.

I enjoy my work. Best way to describe it is "network engineer", routers, switches, firewalls, Cisco stuff mostly.

The last 2-3 months have been particularly stressful and it's taking its toll on my attitude.

When I started this was a small company, it's still pretty small (~450-550emp, I think), but it's grown a lot. We have more people and more business. Because of the growth, our management has realized that the new size requires some different methods and organization. There have been lots of changes, and lots of "stuff" that I think is just growing pains. I suspect that in 6-12 months, the turmoil will die down and things will be back to (a new) normal. But damn, right now it's a royal pain in the neck and makes it hard to see a bright future. I suspect that the problem is that the higher ups, are trying to figure out what needs to be done, and we'll try things and end up keeping some of the new stuff but ditching some of the new ideas too.

I guess I'm just wondering, if you enjoy your work and enjoy where you work, does everyone go through periods where it sucks, but then later it's back to being enjoyable again?

frustrated and stressed...

[URY914]

Stay off tall bridges.

[masraum]

hahahah

Nah, I'm not worried about that. Life is grand, it's just work that's a pain in the azz.

[Buckterrier]

Everything in life is cyclical.

[911Rob]

I've always felt that life was like the 4 seasons.
Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter.

Now depending on where you live, there could be extended seasons?

Get out and do something you really enjoy

[Buckterrier]

Originally Posted by 911Rob

Get out and do something you really enjoy

Great advice. When I get stressed from work I take a long run. A few years ago I was so worked up that I got in my car and screamed bloody murder, damn near blew a gasket. I drove home, marched up the stairs, changed and ran like friggin' Forest Gump. I came back and was as calm as Tiger Woods standing over a 2 foot putt. Felt awesome.
Go do something!!!!!

[Rick Lee]

I went from a company with about 30 employees to one with 750 when they bought us out. The bureaucracy is just amazing. Imagine what it's like in a fed. agency with exponentially more employees and regulations and no competition. I just try very hard to never ever think about work unless at my computer or with a client. No matter how bad it gets, I am able to completely forget it once I see my wife or am away from the office.

[911Rob]

Hey Mark,
I envy you, my knees won't permit me to run anymore. Use to run off my hangovers; played years of rugby, but its taken its toll. I substitued my bike, but running is far better imo.
I see you run alot; snow or shine, good on ya.

Rick,
Your lucky to be able to draw such a definitive line; My line between work and play is very cloudy, grey and WIDE. I try hard to keep it in control, not so easy at the moment.

[911mnypt]

Work to me is like a prison sentence. Yes, its a necessary evil that we all must do, but think of the things that you could accomplish if you did not have to work. I know you need cash to do these things and it takes a job to do it....but theres more to life than 8-5. My job can be freakin stressful at times being in medical sales, but it pays well. Squirrel as much as you can away now and get out of the game to sooner to live life. Think about it, you work your butt off all your youthful healthy life only to retire at 65 with an average life expectancy of 85.

Sorry to be a downer...just a realist.

Richard

[dhoward]

"We're a big company now. We can't do things the way we used to..."

[masraum]

I guess that's part of it. In the past, I was able to leave work at work, but these days I'm semi-supervisory which just means they have a leash on me. I have a blackberry now. I don't check it all of the time, but it's always there. I think that's added to the stress.

Yeah, as stated previously, this is just one of the valleys. Fortunately the only constant thing is change. I keep telling everyone at work that in 6-9 months, things will be "normal". I hope I'm right.

[Komenda Fan]

Richard - that's too bad, you can't go through life like that. I used to be a construction manager, absolutely hated it. Not that it was a bad job, some guys loved it, but it didn't suit me at all. I was really lucky that my travels got me into teaching, and I've loved every minute since. The money isn't great, but its enough. If I had bags of money stashed somewhere, I would be willing to teach for free. I think everyone needs to find a job they like that much. Then work will never be a prison.

[911mnypt]

I suppose there is some truth in finding a job you love...in the beginning I worked for the CA Fish & Game and absolutely loved it. Out of necessity, I got into sales to support the family so the wife could stay at home and raise the children. Maybe my biggest problem is that I am living for the "retirement" and not now.

[gassy]

My Blackberry doesn't work for some reason--I decided not to figure it out. I would check that thing all the time, weekends and all-- I didn't realize how much I was leashed to that damn thing. I like what I do--the peaks and valleys can be equally frustrating though.
christian

[Andras Nagy]

The real test of "liking your job", is: when you are driving to work, are you looking forward to being at work, and working? Is there something else you would like to do for 40-60 hours every week?

If yes to the first, then you like your work.

If yes to the second, then you ought to find some other line of work that will make you answer yes to the first.

Is it me, or is it really this simple?

[mikester]

Originally Posted by masraum

I guess that's part of it. In the past, I was able to leave work at work, but these days I'm semi-supervisory which just means they have a leash on me. I have a blackberry now. I don't check it all of the time, but it's always there. I think that's added to the stress.

Yeah, as stated previously, this is just one of the valleys. Fortunately the only constant thing is change. I keep telling everyone at work that in 6-9 months, things will be "normal". I hope I'm right.

Make sure to set your filters on alerts so that every email isn't making your BB go off. That brings my stress level down. I work somewhere I 'like' and 'enjoy' but it is still work. I also do the same thing as you - Network Engineer. I work for a multinational corporation. I do enjoy my job but there are parts of it that I significantly dislike:

VPN - I handle most of our security products from a technology stand point and I HATE VPN. I'm in the middle of rolling out a new VPN solution so most of my day is spent on something I dislike. I find myself very motivated to ensure everyone who might possibly be supporting this knows how because I hate VPN.

Routers and switches are great - they do exactly what you told them to do even if you meant something else.

Configuration management, SOX, PCI and HIPPA compliance are not going away. I've worked with folks who fought them at every turn and eventually you either have to get in line or get out. If you're having a hard time dealing with new bureaucracies - well - get over it and find a way to fit in. After all - when it comes down to it - you're an employee and anyone can be replaced.

Networks are awesome but working on a world wide network is a tense because someone is always awake.


so, my drive to work is usually not wishing I was going somewhere else but it's only 2 miles so maybe it's because I don't have time to feel that way.

[sammyg2]

I love my job (most of the time) but I spent years doing something I didn't really like to get here.

It was worth it.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by Andras Nagy

The real test of "liking your job", is: when you are driving to work, are you looking forward to being at work, and working? Is there something else you would like to do for 40-60 hours every week?

If yes to the first, then you like your work.

If yes to the second, then you ought to find some other line of work that will make you answer yes to the first.

Is it me, or is it really this simple?

Pretty much, except, as others have mentioned, sometimes you've got to sweep the floors to get a chance at hiring the sweepers

I took some interesting assignments because I felt the effort was worth it in the long run. Sacrifice isn't always a negative.

Robs advice is valid as well...fine a release you enjoy

[Buckterrier]

Originally Posted by 911Rob

Hey Mark,
I envy you, my knees won't permit me to run anymore. Use to run off my hangovers; played years of rugby, but its taken its toll. I substitued my bike, but running is far better imo.
I see you run alot; snow or shine, good on ya.

I don't know what I'd do if I coudn't run, stress & blubber control. I tried biking, my legs are shot before I can get my heart rate up!
Rugby? So you're the tough guy of Pelican Nation????

Steve, do you exercise?

[peppy]

Hell no!!