Office life before the Internet?!

[Team Diver]

This is kind of a meltdown thread, read, please…

So, I have an office job (banking) for almost 10 years (not at the same company), I’m around 30 now. I have no subordinates, but I’m in a fairly senior position. Office building, entrance card, shirt, necktie, meetings, memos – all the trite. By many, this is considered a good life, and I feel "pressed" to look on my job as an interesting, challenging, varied, intellectual, professional etc. thing, I can learn a lot, develop my skills, meet people, solve problems and so on and on.
The thing is, however, that I’ve been hating it since my first day 10 years ago! For me, it’s just the continuation of school. Tasks = tasks, teachers = bosses, class-mates = colleagues, lessons = working hours, holidays = holidays, and the same "games" every day: pretending to be committed, devoted, job is the most important, or on other days pretending to be busy, even if you are not, asking to leave earlier etc. My problems are on two levels:

1. The above-mentioned school-like conditions (dependence on bosses, being under control, fixed time-table, holiday is a "gift" etc.). These things sap me.

2. The tasks... Maybe problem No.1. wouldn't exist if I enjoyed my job. But am I the only one, who falls asleep when reading 30-page long documents with sentences like this: "After adopting a common position in 2001 in response to the European Commission’s proposal for the EU SDS, Social NGOs concentrated their efforts in campaigning for a balanced implementation of the Lisbon strategy and a strong social pillar.". Or working on 20-page long loan agreements?! I have been yawning for 10 years!

And that’s what the topic’s title is about! Since I cannot concentrate on my boring work for more than 3 minutes without a break, I HAVE TO visit some web site every 3rd minutes! I need it! Mainly Getbig. Just checking what’s going on here... Or some travel site getting ideas where to go in the summer... Anything, but not related to work. I feel sick for this.

But anyway, WTF did poor office slaves do before the Internet?! They couldn’t read a book or a magazine in secret, right?!

Discuss and give me advices what home business to do!

[Dos Equis]

Funny!     I post in between meetings, phone conferences, etc.  Keeps things interesting.

But if you aren't happy with what you're doing you need a new profession.  Do what makes you happy.  It is possible to make money doing what you love.   

And I recommend sending a PM to Jag to discuss home business opportunities.   

[Tre]

Solid post - I appreciate you sharing your pain with so much honesty, as it serves as a reminder to me to be thankful for the fact that, even though I'm having a bad day, I'm having that day at HOME and can shut down for the day pretty much whenever I'd like. 

Before the internet, office bots found plenty of other ways not to get stuff done.

[buffbodz]

I feel where you're comming from.  30 isn't too old to look around, even go back to school, if that's what it takes.  I was in a rut running the family business, which was expected and something I had no intention of doing for the rest of my life.  After putting a few bucks away I investigated doing what I wanted to do.  I found a market for it and with my wife's blessings went out and started out on my own. 

The first few years are the toughest, but if you can hang in your enthusiasm for whatever you're doing will shine through and you will have a client base.  I just keep chugging and each year the bottom line increases. 

My point is that you're not trapped for life into doing something you're not happy with.  Prepair and take that shot.  None of us are getting any younger and you may regret not making a move for the rest of your life. 

Think carefully.  Get support from family and loved ones and make a move.  If I didn't I'd of lost it long ago.

www.nutritionaledge.org

[Dos Equis]

I feel where you're comming from.  30 isn't too old to look around, even go back to school, if that's what it takes.  I was in a rut running the family business, which was expected and something I had no intention of doing for the rest of my life.  After putting a few bucks away I investigated doing what I wanted to do.  I found a market for it and with my wife's blessings went out and started out on my own. 

The first few years are the toughest, but if you can hang in your enthusiasm for whatever you're doing will shine through and you will have a client base.  I just keep chugging and each year the bottom line increases. 

My point is that you're not trapped for life into doing something you're not happy with.  Prepair and take that shot.  None of us are getting any younger and you may regret not making a move for the rest of your life. 

Think carefully.  Get support from family and loved ones and make a move.  If I didn't I'd of lost it long ago.

www.nutritionaledge.org

Good advice.

[210 and growing]

This is kind of a meltdown thread, read, please…

So, I have an office job (banking) for almost 10 years (not at the same company), I’m around 30 now. I have no subordinates, but I’m in a fairly senior position. Office building, entrance card, shirt, necktie, meetings, memos – all the trite. By many, this is considered a good life, and I feel "pressed" to look on my job as an interesting, challenging, varied, intellectual, professional etc. thing, I can learn a lot, develop my skills, meet people, solve problems and so on and on.
The thing is, however, that I’ve been hating it since my first day 10 years ago! For me, it’s just the continuation of school. Tasks = tasks, teachers = bosses, class-mates = colleagues, lessons = working hours, holidays = holidays, and the same "games" every day: pretending to be committed, devoted, job is the most important, or on other days pretending to be busy, even if you are not, asking to leave earlier etc. My problems are on two levels:

1. The above-mentioned school-like conditions (dependence on bosses, being under control, fixed time-table, holiday is a "gift" etc.). These things sap me.

2. The tasks... Maybe problem No.1. wouldn't exist if I enjoyed my job. But am I the only one, who falls asleep when reading 30-page long documents with sentences like this: "After adopting a common position in 2001 in response to the European Commission’s proposal for the EU SDS, Social NGOs concentrated their efforts in campaigning for a balanced implementation of the Lisbon strategy and a strong social pillar.". Or working on 20-page long loan agreements?! I have been yawning for 10 years!

And that’s what the topic’s title is about! Since I cannot concentrate on my boring work for more than 3 minutes without a break, I HAVE TO visit some web site every 3rd minutes! I need it! Mainly Getbig. Just checking what’s going on here... Or some travel site getting ideas where to go in the summer... Anything, but not related to work. I feel sick for this.

But anyway, WTF did poor office slaves do before the Internet?! They couldn’t read a book or a magazine in secret, right?!

Discuss and give me advices what home business to do!

man, i feel ya pain, i am exactly the same. I have about 10 'core' websites that i browse, and by the end of a day in work, i have looked at them all many times to see whats going on!! Time for change i think !!

[Old_Rooster]

I own my own buisness but guess what, you even get sick of that.  can you pay the bills this month, blah blah blah, always something.

But, .....I have a wonderful lady in my life now, her daughter lights up my life also.  I work to pay the bills, my real life is with them because thats what life comes down to in the bitter end, friends & family and your relationship with them.  Knowing i'm earning money that will bring them things that they not only need but also some be nice to have things.   Seeing them happy makes me happy inside so showing up to the old grind each day is just a continuation of my love for them, which pretty much makes it all worthwhile.

I also keep several outside interests such as golf and hiking, lucky for me my girl enjoys both, heck she works at a golf course and they let me play free because of that.  Life is good, its what you make of it.

[TrapsMcLats]

Everyone, except for rock stars, movie stars, entertainment folk and professional athletes hates their job.  But you do it anyway because it is what you need to do to get by.  For me, work is something i do to get money for the things i want (mainly music).  It doesn't stop it from sucking BALLS, but i do it anyway. 

[Bigger Business]

The problem with running your own business is it's 24/7 and you are accountable for EVERYTHING

theres no punch cards or holidays...its all planning. The customers are your bosses, the taxation department is not your friend.

The benefits of being employed are the fact that you can 'call in sick' and get paid, plan holidays and get paid, yell at a customer or two and the place won't go down the shitter, a regular pay check.

Not to put a damper on things, I have owned my own business and its awesome....dont get me wrong, but there are a lot of benefits to being 'employed' as well

[Sljck-NjnjaRjder]

The problem with running your own business is it's 24/7 and you are accountable for EVERYTHING

theres no punch cards or holidays...its all planning. The customers are your bosses, the taxation department is not your friend.

The benefits of being employed are the fact that you can 'call in sick' and get paid, plan holidays and get paid, yell at a customer or two and the place won't go down the shitter, a regular pay check.

Not to put a damper on things, I have owned my own business and its awesome....dont get me wrong, but there are a lot of benefits to being 'employed' as well

Heck yeah, I run my own business as well and it is tough as hell, but it is the best thing in the world.  I don't have to answer to anyone, I go in early if I want, stay late if I have to, or go home early after lunch if I need a workout or just a breather.  As you stated though, you have to be doing what  you have to do to pay the bills or none of that missing or taking work off makes sense.

[onlyme]

Allot of sex in the copier room.

[Muscleboy]

You should do physical labor work like i do...  All Physical, no mental...  See if you can handle that.

[Camel Jockey]

Thinking about the breast size of the bitch in the next cubicle. Now it's porn, email, chat and a host of other shit that takes away, but also adds to work productivity.

[Team Diver]

Thanks guys for all the replies!
I know there is no ultimate solution, both being an employee or owning a business has the good and bad sides. And really, for me "it’s not that bad" - as some of you said it's easy money, less responsibility etc. Most days pass without big-big crisises. That's why I somehow managed to survive the past 10 years. But now I'm fed up, I can't stand another 10, 20 or 30 years even at an other company or in a higher position. Especially in the fields of banking, finance etc. Stressful and boring at the same time.
And do you know what frustrates me? The fact that I know I sure have a choice (in contrast to school years), there must be plenty of opportunities, but still I come into the office every morning, because at the end of the day I work for a reputable company and get my salary. I must pay my bills. I'd feel irresponsible if I quit just because I follow a dream of another lifestyle. Oh yeah, because actually I have no idea what I would love to do. I just want to do it on my own. I have hobbies, interests, one of them is BB obviously, or I enjoyed doing my shitty website (http://pauldiver.bravehost.com ), but no chance to make a living from stupid things like these. And I’m only competent in the job I’m doing now...

[Bigger Business]

why did this get moved here?

another example of too many indians and a disempowered chief

[Butterbean]

why did this get moved here?

another example of too many indians and a disempowered chief

Dear Migs or 240, please move this back to General in honor of the disempowered chief

[Team Diver]

Just play ping-pong with my topic, doesn't matter... The same happening to me in the office. 

[buffbodz]

Owning or working for somebody else both have ups and downs as we've herd.  I like not having to answer to some punk just because he's the boss.  I've dealt with dudes who do nothing and pass the buck to underlings and take credit for what I did.  That and the fact that I worked for a company that were clockwatchers.  It was like pre-school.  It was all the petty shit that just wasn't worth a paycheck and I knew I could do better.  Now after 5 years, I just wanna hit Power ball and tonight's like 240 mil.  Just imagine......but the reality is, like the Old Rooster said, you need the loving family or what's the point.  Things are comfortable and money comes and goes, like with everyone else.  Work doesn't have to suck.  It's not all fun and games, but I can't think of anything else I'd rather do, and that's the answer right their.