Does anyone *like* their job?

[EmeraldKitten]

I've been stewing about this for weeks now.

As most of you probably know, I'm a Hair Stylist.
There for a while, I thought I was hating my job because of the clients, and because of the hair itself, lol.
(I hate when I come home and am getting undressed, and find a hair that isn't mine in my cleavage, LOL.)

Now I'm putting a different spin on it.

I don't think it's the hair, or the clients. I think it's the people I work with.

I'm a pretty sunshiney person, I have a good attitude most of the time, and I can make people laugh.
Even if I gear myself up for the day, and go into work with a smile on my face, within two hours I'm ready to scratch someone eyes out, and I'm as hateful as the rest of them.

The sarcasm, bad attitudes, bad moods, and snide comments are getting to me.
I know it's partially my fault- we all choose how we react to people and situations, if they're good or bad.

Does anyone know how hard that is? Day after day trying to be my sunshiney-self, and constantly getting dragged through the shit? I hate that!

I admit, some days or better than others. But then, on a bad day, I come home, and I have no desire to talk to anyone, so I become a hermit, and hole up in my room. I don't feel like writing, I don't answer my phone~ I am just done with the human population.


Anyhow, I guess the point of this long rambly post~
Is anyone in the same boat? Or did you used to be?
How do you cope and deal and get through?
How do you keep from throwing a tantrum and quitting over it?

Feel free to share and discuss, and then hijack, lol.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Guest]

even if i hated my job, i would love it....if i had a job. (insert pathetic whimper)

 

[EmeraldKitten]

even if i hated my job, i would love it....if i had a job. (insert pathetic whimper)

Hmm.. I guess I should be thankful I have a job.

After I quit McDonald's, when people asked me if I'd ever go back, my response was always, "Nope. I'd rather live in a cardboard box with no lid."
Honestly, it's not looking too bad right about now.
In fact, I talked to one of the managers I'm still friends with, and made a comment about coming back, then one day when I went through the drive-thru, the Area Supervisor came to the window and gave me her number.
She wants me to come back. The other managers and crew I worked with all want me to come back.

But I think I'd just be trading one evil for another.

I'm just so screwed up over this I don't know to wind my ass or scratch my watch, LOL.

 

[carsonshepherd]

Seems a bit obvious... might be time for you to look for a different job. If you have any kind of skill, you can always find something better.

I've had really demanding jobs I loved because of the people. Right now I happen to have a really easy job with really great co-workers. My job is dull and routine, but I care about what I do so I work hard at it. I could make more money at a faster-paced place, but I stay there because of the atmosphere, that really makes all the difference in the world.

good luck~

 

[scheherazade_79]

Awww... Kitten

Yes, I thoroughly detest my job. The money's great but it's the kind of job where you have to work with people who are determined to work against you. I get sworn at on a regular basis, and I've been physically threatened two or three times, and my colleagues are downtrodden old-timers who've been bitter about it for years.

I don't see it as a career-path. To be honest, I'm not even sure what I want to do right now. But it's helping me put some finance behind me so that I can expand my options.

On particularly bad days I count down the hours by adding up my pay for that hour, deducting tax and dreaming up all the different things I'll be able to afford for the work I've done. I've already promised myself a sports car in a couple of months.

I escape by writing. At the moment I'm having some well-earned downtime. I no longer have the stress of a bad relationship to worry me, and I'm living with my parents and having my laundry done and my food cooked for me. It's nice but frustrating at the same time. The best way to deal with it is not to see it as a permanent state of affairs. Just be open to different options and when one comes along that you really like, just go for it.

I don't know about you, but when everyday life is frustrating, my writing becomes a lot better, so I guess it has its advantages.

Hug if you need it

 

[CharleyH]

I love my job, but of course, I sit at home all day in front of a computer to do it, and I quite like my own company so . . . the work itself gets a bit dull, but I set my own hours, and try to keep a disciplined schedule. Freelancing was rough for the first, oh year, and there are still times where one month I'm eating out of cans, and the next I am eating filet mignon. Still, it is worth my half sanity considering the environment I had worked in for five years (3 of which were amazing). The one thing I will not be is a LOL

Have you ever considered hair styling in the film and television industry? With fashion photographers? A lot of people I know switched from the retail environment, and though it was difficult at first, they don't regret it . . . perhaps change of pace is good, perhaps not, but it is an option. Note: They still do a bit of retail to offset lean months, yet . . . just a thought.

 

[dr_mabeuse]

I've been stewing about this for weeks now.

Anyhow, I guess the point of this long rambly post~
Is anyone in the same boat? Or did you used to be?
How do you cope and deal and get through?
How do you keep from throwing a tantrum and quitting over it?

Feel free to share and discuss, and then hijack, lol.

Thanks in advance!

I quit. I just left a job in large part because the people there were stiffs, there was a lot of pressure, and no one had time to help the new guy. It didn't help that they kept most of the lights off too so that the place felt like a dungeon with the people scurrying around like rats. They dumped all this stuff in my lap and told me to handle it, and it was too much pressure.

I got seriously depressed. Just like you, I would come home and lock myself away from my family and sit there wracked by anxiety and frustration, just totally stressed out. Every night I woke up with nightmares about it, and when I was there all I could do was watch the clock.

In the end it's not worth it. If a job makes you so miserable that you can't even enjoy the money they pay you, it's not worth it.

---dr.M.

 

[SensualCealy]

Well Kitten,

I absolutely love this thread! I have a job, well sorta, I work at a DQ in town, its a seasonal one. It is only open from Feb1- Oct 31. I was all set to go back to work mid January to help the manager get all the product ready. Well she calls me up the week before Im to start and says, they dont want you back until APRIL 1st! Well was I PO'ed. Up here you have to have 927 hours or something like that to get seasonal unemployment. Now I wont qualify for it come Nov1st.

I have helped them out right and left, worked full time in the summer making cakes and being the manager when she was on holidays. I did a program with them where the government pays half my wages so I could learn the full time jobs to help them out since they werent making any money.

They use us right left and center, and Im sick of it! I told hubby I AM NOT going back in April and Im not telling them until the last possible minute. They obviously dont need me and since they are trying to save money for their sons wedding this year, she can work her ass off to take my place! Their attitudes stink, every time you turn around they are dissing someone, yelling at each other in Greek while customers are in the store, giving free stuff away then giving us shit over spillage. Their son scoops money from the till all the time, $100.00 of dollars at a time, he is part owner! I know there is more going on then they think we know, and I cant work like that!

This is why I am desperately looking for something else with a great deal of quality. My kids are still young, 11 and 13. I dont want them staying home all summer on their own again, it wasnt a good thing. The 11 yr old is more mature then the 13 yr old but legally cant stay on her own for more then two hours.

Its such a catch 22, damned if you do damned if you dont type situation.
I need to win the lottery to open my business in an actual store to make money at it and actually use my post secondary education for something!


Here's looking at new jobs Kitten!
C

 

[NoJo]

I quit. I just left a job in large part because the people there were stiffs, there was a lot of pressure, and no one had time to help the new guy. It didn't help that they kept most of the lights off too so that the place felt like a dungeon with the people scurrying around like rats. They dumped all this stuff in my lap and told me to handle it, and it was too much pressure.

I got seriously depressed. Just like you, I would come home and lock myself away from my family and sit there wracked by anxiety and frustration, just totally stressed out. Every night I woke up with nightmares about it, and when I was there all I could do was watch the clock.

In the end it's not worth it. If a job makes you so miserable that you can't even enjoy the money they pay you, it's not worth it.

---dr.M.

Ditto, except for the lights.

I quit a beautiful job and a well-paying wife at roughly the same time.

Felt immediatly better. Got the wife back after two years, but I'll be dammed if I'll go back to that bitch of a job.

Now I'm happy. I'm really challenged in my work. And no boss. And not much money either.

 

[EmeraldKitten]

Wow! Yay for replies. I'm glad this is getting attention.

Carson~ I've thought of looking for another job. But I hate change, so thinking and doing are two different things, lol.
The pace of the job is okay. It's the atmosphere that sucks.
When I decided to be a hair dresser, all I could think of was "Steel Magnolias". Well, I'm in a shop in a small town that's supposed to be all warm and fuzzy, and it sucks, lol.
One day, I want to open my own shop. And dammit, it's going to be exactly like Truvey's.
Thanks for the input.

Miss _79~ You poor thing! All those cranky people! As for the career path- good for you! You don't seem like the type of person that would be there forever. Of course, you aren't planning to, but you've got to start somewhere.
That was me- right out of beauty school, and boss lady was desperate for help. Two of the girls were pregnant, and she needed someone right then to get in there and get adjusted, so come maternity leave time, we'd be able handle it.
Well, I did it. Now I feel like I'm her little peon.
Thanks for replying, and I hope you get your financial security up soon!

Charley~ Sounds like a good job to me! lol. I don't know if I could do it. I do like people. Just not all of 'em.
I've thought about the TV/Film industry breifly. I don't think I'm 'seasoned' enough, lol. I've only been in it a year, and only at one little podunk beauty/barber shop. I think I'd need a little more exposure before I got into all that. Good suggestion though! Thanks!

Dr_M~ Wow, well that's one way to fix it. That was pretty shitty of them to just throw things at you.
I was depressed and frustrated, but I didn't have nightmares and wake up in the middle of the night worrying about it.
Now I just wake up with a smile on my face after I dream I poke them all in the eyes. hehe.
I'm glad you got out, because that's not a healthy way to live. I wouldn't say this is quite that bad, lol.

I did kind of get thrown to the wolves though~ I didn't go to Barber school, so I didn't know how to cut men's hair. I'm talking the short short, skin on the sides, fade/high and tight kinda things. I had no desire to. Duh, I went to beauty school.
Well, they were good about not putting them in my chair. One day, boss lady was having a bad day and she threw one at me. That was one ugly, jacked up haircut. It's a wonder the guy comes back, LOL.
After that, they gave me easier ones, and today, I can do the damn haircut. I still hate it, but at least I can do it.
I think thats about the only good thing that's come from me working there, LOL.
Thanks for posting and sharing. Good brain food.

SCealy~ Yay! I'm glad you love this thread, lol.
That really sucks that they're being ugly about when you go back.
I don't blame you for not going in in April. Yay for new jobs!
I know how you feel (kinda.) When I worked at McD's, I was always bitching about how they were screwing me.
I worked 45+ hours a week as the main Closing Manager. I did inventory, hourly's, payroll close, handled all the money, and was always the only manager there. Plus I was always understaffed, so I had to actually run a position. That meant, if the person taking orders in the back window needed change, I had to leave my position and go get it. It was awful!
And, to add insult to injury~ there were day shift managers that didn't run their own shifts, and didnt handle any paperwork or cash, and they made a dollar or more than I did!
The night crew and I always joked that they were bending us over the front couter to fuck us silly.
Which was exactly what they were doing.

One good thing though, I make the same about of money at the shop as I did at McD's, for not even half the amount of work. Me likey. hehe.

I hope things work out for you with the job hunt. Thanks for sharing as well. I love this peek inside peoples brains, LOL.

Joe~ At least you got out alive yanno? Good to hear ya got the wife back, and I'd stay away from the ugly job too!



P.S. Part of the problem, is that boss lady's dad. He opened the shop 50 years ago. He's 73 and still works 4 days a week. He is one mean son of a bitch. He's my main source of negatitivty I think.
He's mean and nasty to customers. Even his wife says that if she walked in and he talked to her like that, she'd turn around and walk right back out. I would too. Yet, I'm still there, even though he rips my ass on an almost-daily basis.
I'm just a glutton for punishment I guess, lol.
Oh, and he says that he's been in business for 50 years and he's tired of kissing peoples asses, and he can be mean to whomever he likes.
Oh, okay. I see. My view of the world is extemely fucked up. I'll just act like him and everything will be grooooovy.

 

[logophile]

I love my job(s).

First I'm a mom. It's the hardest, most aggrevating, most rewarding thing ever. The hours suck and there's no pay (forget about time off) but every single day brings me more joy than I would have ever imagined possible.

I'm also a writer. In addition to the smut I write here, I write a parenting column. Unfortunately, I write for a start-up magazine and none of the writers get paid yet. My column is the most widely part of the mag each month and I get tons of people coming up to talk to me about it... Tons? Well, a couple of people a week. Feels like tons...

And I'm a homebirth midwife and a professional labor support person (aka doula). Doing birth work is kinda like being on a runaway train. It's thrilling and exciting and motivating and scary and exhausting and worrisome. You are often at a point when you think you shouldn't do it anymore, but you know that jumping off that train would certainly kill you. Being a newly trained midwife means that I don't make much money yet, between 100 and 300 per birth when I'm assisting another midwife and not much more when it's my own client.

Before this point in my life, however, I hated every job I'd ever had (mostly retail or clerical) and I was good at all of them. I loved working with the public, but could never get along with my co-workers for very long.

In the end, it turns out that I was being called into something else for all those years. Into this crazy world of moms and babies that is now my whole life. As soon as I started listening to that calling, I've been a completely different person.

If something is telling you to change, Kitten, listen to it. And try not to trade one unhappy career for another. It'll only help temporarily!

 

[Dumpling]

Yes" I LOVE" my Job

 

[Guest]

I worked in the private resort industry for more than 12 years. The last five of it I was a regional manager and the companies top troubleshooter. and despite a 6 figure income I abso-posi-lutely hated it. It got to the point that I hated myself for doing it and that turned me into an intolerable ass. I quit 6 years ago. Haven't looked back. Yeah, there are times I would like to have that money again, but there is no amount of money in the world worth hating yourself for.

Now I'm a network administrator and telecom cabling tech. Doesn't pay half as much as I used to make, but for the most part I enjoy the work.

 

[brightlyiburn]

I don't have a job.
But I am going to school as an art student and I'm beginning to have much the same thought. I used to love to draw, but now I loathe the thought of picking up a drawing pencil. And I'm in the class for the thing I wanted to learn the most!
I'm certain some of it is most definately the teacher. She doesn't specify what materials she wants us to have, she changes her mind, and she teaches us what she wants us to do after we've done the assignment.
But I'm also I starting to feel like what the hell am I trying to prove? I don't know where this sudden idea to turn art into a profession came from. It's been my dream for years to be a writer, not an artist.
I enjoy art. Or I did. But when I went into school, I didn't want to take writing because I was afraid I'd end up hating it.
Now I don't know what the hell to do!

 

[wornoutkeyboard]

Well... I love my jobs.

First of all... I am still a FT student (YES... I DO need three degrees). I have never been out of school. Perish the thought. I think at some point here my advisor said I would have to go for my doctorate because the school doesn't like "career students". Screw them.

I am also a writer. As I have said before I write for artillary magazines and journals. Don't ask me how I got into this work....I don't even really enjoy weaponry but I landed a job writing a couple of feature articles through a history teacher I had back when I was getting my history degree. The magazine optioned more. Then more. Then more. Then other magazines called until I got so busy with writing that I had to get an agent to handle the calls. I guess I'm the only one in the market that can write a decent humorous look at artillery. Lucky me. If it were up to me I would be writing horror and sci-fi novels. But oh well...this one pays.

Because publishers like to pay notoriously behind schedule (whaddya mean we said e would pay 45 days after acceptance? I'm sorry...our connection is breaking up...) I also have a deal with a resteraunt in my area. When I want work... I call the week before and they throw me on the schedule for however long I ask and for as many shifts as I ask. Bada-bing...cash in hand. I love waiting tables. Seriously. I love talking to the people... I have a lot of "call parties" (people who ask for me if I am working) and I absolutely adore the people I work with. I am actually going to be a bride's matron for one of the girls in May. They are the best group of people and a little bit like the members of Lit...only in real life. I have never seen a place that was so full of flirtation ans sexual innuendo. Sexual harrassmant is a prerequisite for the job and I love it.

So yes... I love my jobs. However...I have been there with jobs I hated. I once had this boss who would ask you questions just to bait you.

"So...how to you process your refunds?"

"I do X, Y and Z"

"Well you really should do it like this...."

"well, bitch....if that's what you want then just say so..."

Man... I still have a voodoo doll of her.

~WOK

 

[Virtual_Burlesque]

Except for a handful of exceptionally well rewarded, high-profile people, nobody in a performance area of show business can do their job for long without loving it.

First. Even if their environment is execrable, their performance can still be rewarding.

Second. There’s so much shit one must crawl through to get and keep a performance gig in show business; if anyone does not love their work, they’d never put up with all the accompanying crap long enough to become and remain employed.

Anyone who is only in it for the money is greatly to be pitied.

 

[Belegon]

I don't have a job.
But I am going to school as an art student and I'm beginning to have much the same thought. I used to love to draw, but now I loathe the thought of picking up a drawing pencil. And I'm in the class for the thing I wanted to learn the most!
It's been my dream for years to be a writer, not an artist.
I enjoy art. Or I did. But when I went into school, I didn't want to take writing because I was afraid I'd end up hating it.
Now I don't know what the hell to do!

Even playing a kid's game for money became a "Job" real quick. It is the way of the world. But don't despair.

I really like my job. I can't say I love it, but I like it a lot. Not as much as I did a couple years ago, partially because of the people, partially the current pressure. But I still really enjoy it and it can be rewarding on occassion.

 

[curious2c]

Do I like my job?


*sigh*


I love most of the people I work with. Some of the bosses, of course are idiots...as are a few of the trench people too...but for the most part it is a very good paying job that requires me to only work half the year. while I am at work I work 12 1/2 hour days...or shifts as I also work nights for one fifteen day tour. (One 'tour' is fifteen days, then I get thirteen days off)

I would love to find another job...because at times I feel that my skills are not being utilized fully as they should be, and I am far more capable at some things than they will allow me to do. Part of that is the reason I don't like my job at times. I see where I could have done something and usually done it far better than what the company paid for some outside firm to do it for us...and it irritates me.
Of course, in my last job I was allowed lots of lattitude and the company was rewarded by my being able to use my skills and save them...well...one hell of a lot of money on quite a few things. I was a machinist/millwright/welder...and working with some engineers I was able to build several prototypes of equipment, modify existing equipment, and even fabricate some new equipment. 99% of that turned out even better than hoped for, and 1% might never work...but one never knows until one tries.

Now, I work in a place where the 'brains' or engineers don't think that anyone without a degree is capable of doing that...which of course causes me to become...dumb.

When in Rome...

 

[minsue]

I love my job. It's stresses me out, drives me mad, and some days I'd give anything to be anywhere but there, but I'm damn good at it and I must admit that I love that. I piss and moan about people volunteering me as the person to call with questions without getting my permission first, but it thrills me no end when strangers at the other end of the country call me up for help with something and say they were told I was the best person to ask. Needless to say, I try not to examine this sad, needy lil facet of my personality too closely.

Kitten, if the people you work with make you miserable, it's time to move on. It's not worth it, hon.

 

[LadyJeanne]

Kitten, It sounds like you have an idea that you want to open your own shop one day. Go for it! Put some kind of fantasy plan together - research and estimate the financials, timetable, skills needed, etc. Then start working toward it by getting really, really good at what you do. Take some classes part time at a community college so you can understand what it takes to run a business, take more classes on hair design, and develop a loyal following at your current salon. Start taking hair clients on the side, at your house. If you have a passion for it and a drive to do it, and you will succeed. Knowing that you are working toward a grander plan for yourself will help make you feel a little better about your current situation.

If hair is not where you see yourself in 5 years, then take some time to explore your other options. Once you have a direction, leaving a place where you hate the people will be much easier.

I left a high profile, high status, high income job because it stressed me out terribly, I hated some of the key people I worked with, and the company was turning into one I could no longer respect. I haven't yet decided what I want to do next, but I sure as hell feel a lot better since I've been out of that environment. You spend a lot of time at work; you shouldn't be absolutely miserable at it if you can help it.

 

[rgraham666]

I've always loved the work I did. Even being a janitor was rewarding.

I usually liked the people I met and worked with, on a personal level. As long as we were equals and we treated one another like that, I was cool.

The whole power structure involved in business and the attitudes of the people who chased that power never failed to piss me off. Most managers seemed to have been trained by the KGB. "Who shall we hurt this morning to motivate the others?" seemed to be the motivating question of their lives.

It was a big contributing factor to my going insane. Desperately trying to make people happy that couldn't be made happy was a conundrum that I couldn't solve.

Not working now. Don't really know if I'll ever have the emotional strength to ever do so again. Living on $655 Cdn a month isn't easy. But I'm sane again and that's worth it.

 

[neonlyte]

Last paid job I had was fifteen years ago. (I've worked for myself ever since)

I was recruited to close down a business in a phased and controlled way - the objective to lose as little money as possible. It was in the recession that hit the UK at the end of 1980's. The people who employed me had bought prime Central London land at the height of the property boom, market crashed, they were facing losses of +£50 million.

We built out the land, 126 houses and apartments on 6 sites over a two year period, never lost a single one of my staff of 8, they all stayed right until the end. We had a great time even though everyone was working their butt off to lose their job. We did a deal with a Housing Association to provide 50 homes for refugees, (these were luxury homes) and sold the development on to an investment group with the Housing Associations rental guarantee. I was castigated in the UK press for a week for 'building luxury homes for refugees.' The remainder we sold privately. The company ended up losing ONLY £18 million.

Then I couldn't find a job and opened and ran a Patisserie for 10 years, again, I never lost any of my staff except when they married and the babies came along.

Now I work quietly, converting old buildings, writing, assisting my wife in her various Exhibitions and projects and developing a national website for amateur theatre groups.

Life is good. Most people spend the major part of their adult lives working, often with others. Some people spend more of their adult life with people other than their partner, if its screwing you, you need to change it. you've only got one life.

 

[Boota]

I love my job(s). All I do is write books and play music. I need to get a part-time job to keep money coming in at slow times, but other than that things are great.

 

[Evil Alpaca]

I like my job. I like the company who hired me, and that makes a world of difference I think. Things are very busy but interesting. It was a pretty good break for someone just out of grad school.

 

[LorriLove]

I've been stewing about this for weeks now.

As most of you probably know, I'm a Hair Stylist.
There for a while, I thought I was hating my job because of the clients, and because of the hair itself, lol.
(I hate when I come home and am getting undressed, and find a hair that isn't mine in my cleavage, LOL.)

Now I'm putting a different spin on it.

I don't think it's the hair, or the clients. I think it's the people I work with.

I'm a pretty sunshiney person, I have a good attitude most of the time, and I can make people laugh.
Even if I gear myself up for the day, and go into work with a smile on my face, within two hours I'm ready to scratch someone eyes out, and I'm as hateful as the rest of them.

The sarcasm, bad attitudes, bad moods, and snide comments are getting to me.
I know it's partially my fault- we all choose how we react to people and situations, if they're good or bad.

Does anyone know how hard that is? Day after day trying to be my sunshiney-self, and constantly getting dragged through the shit? I hate that!

I admit, some days or better than others. But then, on a bad day, I come home, and I have no desire to talk to anyone, so I become a hermit, and hole up in my room. I don't feel like writing, I don't answer my phone~ I am just done with the human population.


Anyhow, I guess the point of this long rambly post~
Is anyone in the same boat? Or did you used to be?
How do you cope and deal and get through?
How do you keep from throwing a tantrum and quitting over it?

Feel free to share and discuss, and then hijack, lol.

Thanks in advance!

i used to hate my job when i was stuck in an office in the middle of the rat race playing high flying personal assistant to a high flying jerk... then i got real and changed my job, i'll never leave it now cos i love it so... the money's crap, the hours are shite, but the actual job is so rewarding who gives a toss... i look after severely disabled kids in a residential home, and i love every one of them... they are so much more real and human than most other people i know... yet they are so disdvantaged by all our crappy worldly standards... no never leave this one honey.