Four-Letter Word
There is a reason why "work" is a four-letter word. It rightfully gets grouped in with other four-letter words like "diet" and "hate" and "hard" for a reason. This four-letter word is the reason why we loathe Mondays and love Fridays.
Although many of us gripe about our jobs, co-worders, bosses, commutes, job tasks and a variety of other work-related factors, the truth is, most of us need our jobs. Work is a necessity for one reason or another — the necessity usually having something to do with paying our bills. Most of us have a house to pay for, cars to maintain, a family to feed, utilities to keep on and, of course, luxuries to indulge in.
I have to remind myself of the aforementioned necessities when I start to get into an undignified snit about the rigors of work. Because the truth is, for as difficult as doing the daily grind can sometimes be, it is better than the alternative. According to a New York Times article that ran in April, 80,000 Americans lost their jobs in March. That figure is hard for me to fathom. There aren't even 80,000 people in my city, which means more people than my entire city population are now down and out of a job. CNN.com recently reprinted an article from CareerBuilder.com that discussed the trials of people looking for jobs after an extended absence from the work force.
Yes, I hate that I work for an institution that sends formal memos to the boss if you swipe in one minute late. I hate that I have to let someone know that I have to "go down the hall" to use the restroom because God forbid the phone ring and a caller goes to voicemail. I hate that I am so miserable at times that I want to run from the building screaming.
However, I would hate collecting an unemployment check even more. So instead of thinking about all the things that I hate about work, I am trying to think about all the factors I am grateful for. For example, I am grateful that I can pull up to Starbucks and pay $4 for a cup of coffee if I want to. Just to be clear...I don't go to Starbucks often, but when I want to, I can. I am grateful that I am not eating hot dogs and macaroni every night...unless I want to. And although I hate paying $4 per gallon of gasoline, I am gratful that I have the ability to do so.
With that being expressed, please know that I am human. I will, of course, continue to keep griping about my job. I will continue to dream about my next vacation, and will aspire to retire early. But if I sink too deep into the pool of pity that seems to flood my cubicle, I will reflect on the 80,000 who want a job instead of griping about the one I have.
For all I know, you could have happened across this blog while you were taking a break from looking for a new job. I invite you, or anyone else, to share with me why you are grateful to have a job.
Links:
http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/worklife/05/14/cb.work.return/index.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/04/business/04cnd-econ.html?hp
While it is OK to think of others not working, it won't sustain your work effort. The work has to come from a place of abundance and it does not seem as though you have that here. Going to work will become harder unless you find reasons that sustain you there.
Good luck!
You should write about some of these struggles coming back to work in a cube. It will help you define your feelings about the job and share with your readers at the same time.
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Scot - Thank you VERY much for your encouragement and advice. I think you are absolutely right and I need to start writing about these struggles. My goal was to make the site encouraging and full of tips for other people, but I truly think I need to start out by healing myself!!!!! Take care, I'll keep popping into your site.
Cheers from "The Caffeinated Cubicle Dweller"
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Eeek! Please don't perpetuate the limiting beliefs that so many of us are fighting.
You write, "Because the truth is, for as difficult as doing the daily grind can sometimes be, it is better than the alternative."
There are more than those two alternatives, even though those additional options can be hard to create! We all need money to provide for our families, something to do with our time. "Holding down a job" is not the sole solution to either of those needs.
Though I haven't completely painted my own masterpiece in this regard, I have not given up. The progress is there: I left a cubicle job two years ago and now make more money reviewing movies, working with animals, and doing freelance projects at home.
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Hi Barbara -
I'm so glad you wrote. Your words are inspiring, especially as I sit here dreading that tomorrow is another Monday and I will be shackled to my desk again where I cannot utilize my creativity and self expression. I have started picking up freelance jobs here and there that have helped in this economy! I think this may snowball into something very positive, very much like you are describing. Feel free to pop back in and chime in any time...even if it is to scold me!....because I value your perspective and you give me hope.
Best regards,
The Caffeinated Cubicle Dweller
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Keep the faith! I love your blog, and I'm sure it will help lead you great places. Check out this career profile of me that was written earlier this year: http://www.more.com/work-money/work/second-acts/reinvent-career-with-small-budget/?page=4
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Thank you very much! I can use all of the encouragement I can get. I am glad you are enjoying the blog. I plan on keeping it up as long as I can. It is really helping me deal with all of this corporate craziness.
I couldn't access the link from my blog comment approval page so I will try and access it directly from my site!
Chime in any time.
TCD
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