Work Attitudes/ Perceptions

[howtobeme]

Hi! I really enjoy reading these forums and have been lurking here for a long time.

I'm looking for some insights on attitudes about work. I really love the beginning of a job when I am learning new things, but then as the learning curve tapers off, I start to dislike work. I don't feel as engrossed in work and the dysfunctional aspects of the job and workplace become much more noticeable. Then I start hunting for the next new job.  This leads to switching jobs more often then I would like. Also, it means that I purposely look for jobs that have fewer dysfunctional aspects that I have already experienced and disliked (narrowing job options each time). I'm sure part of my problem is how I perceive work and the dysfunctions that exist in every job. When the problems are new it's easy to overlook, but the same problems tend to bother me once it's not "new" to me anymore.

There must be others who like that initial learning curve and switch jobs frequently. What is your approach? Job hunting can be a time-consuming and exhausting process.

For those that like that initial learning curve in a job but don't switch jobs, what do you do to fulfill that desire or to accept your current job as is? How do you deal with dysfunction in your work that you can't change?

Is this just a rough stage where if I stick with the same job I will reach a point that I am (more or less) content with it? I know there are lots of people who are okay with just going to work at the same job day after day, for years or decades, but what is the mindset for this? Can I learn it? How do people deal with dysfunction or the same problems that exist every day at work but that you can't change?

Just another note, my work ethic and work ability is not the issue. Employers have always been pleased with the work I do.

I appreciate any insights.

[Blueskies123]

Most people make most of their improvements in the first 3 years.  After 5 years many people start to stagnate.  Fortunately I always worked for companies where I could find a promotion or lateral move.

[BlueHouse]

I hear you howtobe!  Until I started my own consulting business, I rarely stayed in any job longer than 3 years.  I found that a new position or a new city (transfer) could delay my wanderlust, but doing the same job more than 3 years?  I can't do it either.  So I became a contractor where you're expected to move around to different projects and different clients every few years.  Right now, I'm on a contract that I've been on for a long time and I am sick to death of the project and the people and I'm ready to move on!  But I'm in a good position where just a few more years at this rate could mean FIRE for me.  So I'm hanging in.  Plus in 2 more months there's a new project starting up at my client and I'll be transitioning to it.  New people to work with and new technology and different challenges.  This should be enough to make me feel like I have a new job for a few more years. 

[howtobeme]

Thanks for the responses. Blueskies and BlueHouse it sounds like both of you also like switching jobs in one form or another. It's interesting to see that you have both managed that in different ways.

[spicykissa]

I am exactly the opposite, and hate the learning curve part. I feel like I've just finally settled in after over two years at my current job. My husband is more like you, though. One thing he's done in the past is to switch teams, or departments, or things like that on a regular basis, so that he's working with different people and on different things but not actually switching companies. Another idea is to see if there are continuing education or extra trainings or things like that you can take on, so that you still have that 'newness' feeling. Or keep getting promoted, but in my experience that makes the dysfunctional bits even more your problem!

For myself, I take a lot of pride in becoming an expert in something, which does take time. The satisfaction I get from knowing exactly how to do my work best outweighs the dissatisfaction of the environment not being perfect. And my field (healthcare) changes so much on a regular basis that everyone's always on somewhat of a learning curve, so that probably helps too.

[Choices]

+1 to learning new skills, promotions, and transfers at work if they're available.

If not, though, and the job is otherwise good just boring, try amping up the challenge in the rest of your life. And if you have kids (so my colleagues tell me) coming to a boring job can be like a relaxing vacation from real life and you'll appreciate the monotony.

If you're truly unhappy, though, then have a plan to change jobs every 3 years. As long as you plan for it and do it carefully without burning bridges, it can work out well.

[NoStacheOhio]

Just a couple random thoughts:

Try to find a job that's not the same every day. I'm lucky enough that my specific tasks vary greatly from day to day, which prevents monotony from setting in.

Try to find a company that checks your boxes for being non-dysfunctional, but that's also big enough for you to move around a little bit. That way you can keep your tenure, and you're not giving up unvested matching or anything like that.

[acroy]

I discovered years ago that if I wasn't paid, I'd never show up for work! haha!

In general, pay increases in direct correlation with the job specialization/distaste/difficulty.

I generally suggest people figure out what they are good at (not necessarily what they like), what type of task you are more productive/faster/better than the average person, and go from there.

[Bicycle_B]

I'm looking for some insights on attitudes about work. I really love the beginning of a job when I am learning new things, but then as the learning curve tapers off, I start to dislike work.  I'm sure part of my problem is how I perceive work and the dysfunctions that exist in every job.

How do you deal with dysfunction in your work that you can't change?  How do people deal with dysfunction or the same problems that exist every day at work but that you can't change?

Read Dilbert cartoons?

[bacchi]

This is why I mostly took contracting gigs. Trying to last over a year in a W2 job was a grind, sending me into depression.

[EnjoyIt]

There is no such thing as a perfect job.  You will find issues no matter where you work.  They key is realizing that and deciding if those issues are something you can live/work with.

[howtobeme]

Thank you all for your replies! There are definitely some good suggestions particularly related to continuing to learn in a job, with one employer, and even in life.

I know that there will be issues no matter where I work.  Trying to find the best combination of these issues is difficult. I think I may be trying to optimize something that is not really "optimizeable". 

I would say one of my struggles is how to accept that the issues exist and then let them go so that they won't bother me day to day. I just want to fix the dysfunction I see, even when it is not in my control. This makes me think it is my perception of the dysfunction and issues that is part of the problem. How do people deal with dysfunction or the same problems that exist every day at work but that you can't change? Is there a mindset for this?

[sisto]

What you describe is exactly why I'm in technology. There is always something new to learn. I also for for Mega Corp, so I can transfer around if I get bored. For me I feel like in most jobs I spend the first 3-6 months learning the job and the next 3-6 months perfecting it. After that it's time to look for something different or at least change up my responsibilities so I can grow.

[Choices]

I would say one of my struggles is how to accept that the issues exist and then let them go so that they won't bother me day to day. I just want to fix the dysfunction I see, even when it is not in my control. This makes me think it is my perception of the dysfunction and issues that is part of the problem. How do people deal with dysfunction or the same problems that exist every day at work but that you can't change? Is there a mindset for this?

If it directly affects you, then it's worth trying to improve the situation. If it doesn't directly affect you then books like Boundaries by Henry Cloud or even the Al Anon book might offer some insight.

I think a lot of us are helpers and want to make everything better for everyone everywhere, 'fix the world,' if you will. But sometimes the world doesn't want to be fixed.

[caracarn]

To the OP:

I think the key to being happy at a job is just learning what is enough.  The fantasy being sold in many aspects of society these days of a soulmate for you, the perfect car, the perfect job, creates this restlessness.  The key is to not buy in to it.

I change jobs when I can no longer contribute due to office politics etc.  I've never become bored at a job because I always look for how I can contribute to positive outcomes for others in the organization.  I find what needs to be done and do it. 

Certainly as you are starting out in your career you want to build your income to a decent level, and this is where "enough" comes in.  Especially if you changed jobs and few times and got increases each time you start hitting a cap for your skills pretty quickly.  Realizing that $70-80K might be the top end for a lot of jobs, insisting and searching for more can be very frustrating. 

Sure it is fun learning at a new job, but I think that just masks the fact that no perfect job is out there.  If you do not find a way to be content when you are contributing and fulfilling a role and then use self-study and other things to keep learning, you will keep looking for new jobs thinking this one will be it in a never ending cycle.