There's a pretty simple test I use to see whether my work+job+workplace is bringing me any semblance of happiness - the morning email emotion.
When I'm remotely satisfied with the state of my employment, checking work email for the first time in the day holds no terrors. It is just something I do every morning. Like brushing my teeth. So ingrained in routine that I don't have to think about it. If new emails appear from colleagues, clients or heaven forbid, bosses, its OK. I'll do what is needed.
But, the moment the job becomes unpleasant, the work email acquires a different hue. To be fair, it takes a fair amount of time and the collapse of a lot of variables before I reach that state of unhappiness. Still, once that line has been crossed, there's almost no going back. Like the classic snowball gag, it can only go downhill, steadily becoming bigger and more destructive until it reaches the bottom where the village that is my career, slumbers uneasily. If remotely fortunate, I'll manage to get out with what passes for dignity these days. If not, well...
Getting back to the point, the email test is this - if the work atmosphere has become rotten, when I'm signing into my account, I feel a very tangible sense of dread. I obsess about what new horribly berating email could come from Management or what molehill has the client turned into a mountain or what dull new project has come along, bringing with it a host of late nights, weekend work angst and eventual indifference to quality of work.
For me, this test is pretty foolproof. It happened at my previous workplace and eventually, I had to change jobs. In my current one, I was pretty happy. Sure, the hours are long but the creative rush and positive atmosphere was nice. Then came the month of May.
And that dreadful feeling has taken root again.
Now what?
Song for the moment: Theme from Jaws - John Williams
When I'm remotely satisfied with the state of my employment, checking work email for the first time in the day holds no terrors. It is just something I do every morning. Like brushing my teeth. So ingrained in routine that I don't have to think about it. If new emails appear from colleagues, clients or heaven forbid, bosses, its OK. I'll do what is needed.
But, the moment the job becomes unpleasant, the work email acquires a different hue. To be fair, it takes a fair amount of time and the collapse of a lot of variables before I reach that state of unhappiness. Still, once that line has been crossed, there's almost no going back. Like the classic snowball gag, it can only go downhill, steadily becoming bigger and more destructive until it reaches the bottom where the village that is my career, slumbers uneasily. If remotely fortunate, I'll manage to get out with what passes for dignity these days. If not, well...
Getting back to the point, the email test is this - if the work atmosphere has become rotten, when I'm signing into my account, I feel a very tangible sense of dread. I obsess about what new horribly berating email could come from Management or what molehill has the client turned into a mountain or what dull new project has come along, bringing with it a host of late nights, weekend work angst and eventual indifference to quality of work.
For me, this test is pretty foolproof. It happened at my previous workplace and eventually, I had to change jobs. In my current one, I was pretty happy. Sure, the hours are long but the creative rush and positive atmosphere was nice. Then came the month of May.
And that dreadful feeling has taken root again.
Now what?
Song for the moment: Theme from Jaws - John Williams
Comments
;)
The way things are going, I'll probably beat you to it.
I post this piece, and get an email from a client who wants 2 separate ideas combined for a brochure headline which is now 18 frickin' words!
Bleurghhh.