The Tyranny of Sameness

[RockMiner]

There is one negative aspect of most full time professional employment that overshadows all others in my view:

Sameness.

Many objectionable things at work tend to be transitory.

Sameness however, generates a daily sense of robotic repetition. After 25 years, even when a task is different...it really isn't.

Such a regimented life isn't natural. One day shouldn't blend into the next.

Intense practice makes us expert, but we end up dreading it.

Fortunately, a cure is available

TGIF!

 

[bow-tie]

Amen to that... although today is Monday. boooooooo

 

[arrete]

I'm at home, enjoying the snow. La, la, la.

I'm sorry - that was cruel.

arrete - put more money in your savings pot. Every little bit counts. And a lot of other really annoying financial maxims.

 

[cute fuzzy bunny]

Yeah...fridays...mondays...whats the diff?

About the only thing I notice is when I go shopping by accident on a saturday or a sunday and there are ALL THESE PEOPLE in the store.

I honestly dont know where they are during the week...

My favorite aspect of corporate life with regards to sameness was in the salary review process. We were encouraged to hammer everyone into the same shape mold.

I discovered a marvelous secret through the miracle of actually spending time managing people. That some folks just suck at some things are good at others, or simply hate doing something and like doing others. And by matching up likely groups of people, everyone could do what they're good at and like and stuff gets done...leaving everyone happy.

Except the HR folks who wanted me to fire someone because they arent a "well rounded employee".

 

[BUM]

There is one negative aspect of most full time professional employment that overshadows all others in my view:

Sameness.

Many objectionable things at work tend to be transitory.

Sameness however, generates a daily sense of robotic repetition. After 25 years, even when a task is different...it really isn't.

Such a regimented life isn't natural. One day shouldn't blend into the next.

Intense practice makes us expert, but we end up dreading it.

Fortunately, a cure is available

TGIF!

Rock,

After amost 30 years in sales I can say that "sameness" was never an issue. Going to different customer locations daily made each day a unique experience. Sometimes I would envy the close relationships of corporate coworkers... but then I'd wake up and realize how good I had it. One of my most vivid memories is a "lifer" customer who confessed that he hated his job and most of all his boss. "But," he said almost cheerfully "I only have," get ready for this..."eleven more years until retirement." What a waste. Eleven more minutes in that situation and I would collected my pencils and headed for greener ground.

I agree sameness can mean security and safety but it breeds burnout and brainrot.

In ER my days are still very different. I have no routine, except to enjoy each day and do at least one productive thing.
It would be so sad to be 65 or there-abouts at a retirement dinner, accepting that gold watch and thinking how terrible the last 30 years were. My before dinner prayer would be, "Dear Lord spare me from the ultimate hoax. Please don't take me tonight."
BUM

 

[Eagle43]

Rock,

After amost 30 years in sales I can say that "sameness" was never an issue. Going to  different customer locations  daily made each day a unique experience. Sometimes I would envy the close relationships of corporate coworkers... but then I'd wake up and realize how good I had it. One of my most vivid memories  is a  "lifer"  customer who confessed that he hated his job and most of all his boss. "But," he said almost cheerfully "I only have," get ready for this..."eleven more years until retirement."   What a waste. Eleven more minutes in that situation and I would collected my pencils and headed for greener ground.  

I agree sameness can mean security and safety but it breeds burnout and brainrot.

In ER my days are still very different. I have no routine, except to enjoy each day and do at least one productive thing.
It would be so sad  to be 65 or there-abouts at a retirement dinner, accepting that gold watch and thinking  how terrible the last 30 years were. My before dinner prayer would be, "Dear Lord spare me from the ultimate hoax. Please don't take me tonight."  
BUM

Bum,.
Two things. 1. I had a job as awful as you describe and held on until I was 60, just to get the retirement perks. Probably could have gone at 55, but,alas, no cojones. And it really kills creativity and genuine initiative.

2. My father toed the line until he was 65. Never got 36 retirement checks before he was gone. That hoax thing is real!

 

[John Galt]

Reminds me of my bachelor days. I was retired and
dating a teacher. She did not really like her job but
had been in it a long time. I asked her once when she
planned to retire. I think she said 8 years, 10 years??
Can't remember, but she was in her early 50s at least.
I couldn't believe it. 8 -10 years in a job you don't like
just to max. your pension. I just don't think like that.

JG

 

[VoyT]

I discovered a marvelous secret through the miracle of actually spending time managing people. That some folks just suck at some things are good at others, or simply hate doing something and like doing others. And by matching up likely groups of people, everyone could do what they're good at and like and stuff gets done...leaving everyone happy.

Hear, hear! That was my philosophy too, when I was a manager. I was sent a "problem employee" ... rather said employee was dumped on me, most likely in the hope that I would speed her out the door. I found out she was very good at a job that most of my other folks hated. (And she enjoyed it to boot). So, that's what she did. Should have seen my boss' face the day I handed in her performance review and suggested she be given a raise.

 

[Helen]

One of my most vivid memories  is a  "lifer"  customer who confessed that he hated his job and most of all his boss. "But," he said almost cheerfully "I only have," get ready for this..."eleven more years until retirement."   What a waste. Eleven more minutes in that situation and I would collected my pencils and headed for greener ground.  

Well, I'm kind of in that situation now. I have 8 years till ER. The thing is that I've worked in enough places to know that it's the same old crap no matter where you work.

So, I could bail now and go work somewhere else for 16 years, or stay where I am and work another 8.

I'm hanging in there for 8 more years.

-helen

 

[cute fuzzy bunny]

Hear, hear! That was my philosophy too, when I was a manager. I was sent a "problem employee" ... rather said employee was dumped on me, most likely in the hope that I would speed her out the door. I found out she was very good at a job that most of my other folks hated. (And she enjoyed it to boot). So, that's what she did. Should have seen my boss' face the day I handed in her performance review and suggested she be given a raise.

I got all the problem employees, and the "problem" groups. Turned out the problem usually wasnt with the people or the group...

 

[BUM]

Well, I'm kind of in that situation now. I have 8 years till ER. The thing is that I've worked in enough places to know that it's the same old crap no matter where you work.

So, I could bail now and go work somewhere else for 16 years, or stay where I am and work another 8.

I'm hanging in there for 8 more years.

-helen

Good luck Helen. Sounds like you've been around. I hope you can find some enjoyment in your work. Eight years is too long to be unhappy.

BUM

 

[BUM]

2. My father toed the line until he was 65. Never got 36 retirement checks before he was gone. That hoax thing is real!

Eagle43,

I do believe it my brother. Corporate America knows that the longer you stay at your post, the fewer retirement checks they will write.

BUM