Ultrathread I: Thread of the Year - 2014

[muzby]

i should just clarify my earlier point.. not all retail staff are lazy, saying that you get lazy staff in retail as well..

 

[Dragon2010]

Careers eat you alive if you let them. I get in at 8:45am and leave by 5:10pm each day. I have 45min lunchs and make sure I take them.

Despite this, in two months I've completed a project to create vintageless DFU codes for the entire Cellarmasters business, am two-fifths of the way to completing the forecasting programs for the entire business, have restructured their forecasting process, have helped manage the culture change through getting alongside people, learnt the business (albeit somewhat rudimentary at the moment, you always learn the business) and managed to reform how our department will move forward.

The diligence of having a work life balance to ensure when you come to work you're ready to 'pour out' your efforts, while also making sure you manage your time and priorities, makes a huge difference.

Despite this, I'm not interested in 'building' a career. I'm interested in doing a good job, but that's about it.

I've seen people focus on their career, and all it does is eat them alive. Marriages fail, kids grow up without parents being around, health is impacted etc etc.

Careers are dangerous animals that unless properly caged and retrained, end up killing you.

I see that point. But as I stated earlier, I'm not the kind of person who can see my self being married in the next 5, yet alone 10 years. It's not that I'm afraid of marriage or I feel I'm a looser. I just have no interest in pursuing a long and meaningful relationship, plus a range of other issue such as health (Don't want to risk giving potential offspring my condition, so they suffer), upbringing etc. For me, my career and future are my ultimate focus at the moment. But hey, that's just me.

It might be a decision I live to regret, but for now - that's my priority.

Also, having the right boss has made a massive difference to me. My previous boss was a hindrance. My current boss wants the best for me and wants me to come to work with a smile and so makes an effort to provide an environment to do so - I can't stress the difference this makes.

I realise that's not entirely in your control, but whatever you can do to influence it, do it.

Having the right people around you in general works. I cut out a lot of crap people in my life last year, it pissed a few people off. But it has been the best decision for me. Ever since then, I've grown as a person, improved in more ways than I could imagine and have achieved good success in that time. It's all about being around positive, supportive and encouraging people. Obviously, a higher power figure such a boss is more influential etc.

 

[afinalsin666]

i should just clarify my earlier point.. not all retail staff are lazy, saying that you get lazy staff in retail as well..

Break your lines with a comma like a real person and there won't be a mix up ;-)

 

[Drew-Sta]

I see that point. But as I stated earlier, I'm not the kind of person who can see my self being married in the next 5, yet alone 10 years. It's not that I'm afraid of marriage or I feel I'm a looser. I just have no interest in pursuing a long and meaningful relationship, plus a range of other issue such as health (Don't want to risk giving potential offspring my condition, so they suffer), upbringing etc. For me, my career and future are my ultimate focus at the moment. But hey, that's just me.

It might be a decision I live to regret, but for now - that's my priority.

No one dies thinking 'Gee, I wish I did more to fuel my career and made more sacrifices for work'. I'm not saying you should be lazy etc, but when you're old and grey, and you can't work - if you have centered your entire life around work, then you will die a very, very lonely person.

Think twice about your decision to pursue what I believe are the higher and more meaningful purposes in life, which is relationship and building friendships. I'm not saying don't work etc; I'm suggesting put work in its right priority, rather than making it the only priority.

 

[afinalsin666]

Regret is weird though Drew. If he backs off and throws it away for those reasons, he is betraying himself, and his ideals. Probably worth not doing that.

 

[Drew-Sta]

Regret is weird though Drew. If he backs off and throws it away for those reasons, he is betraying himself, and his ideals. Probably worth not doing that.

I've never met anyone that regretted investing in their family, friends and relationships.

I've met some pretty successful people who held a balance, and they're the ones who die happy mate. Not the ones who burn their candle for a career that, in the end, is nothing but money and a corporate rank.

He's looking to become a successful doctor - I get that. He is likely to be a very good one too. But at what cost?

For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?

 

[Scott Gourley's Lovechild]

No one dies thinking 'Gee, I wish I did more to fuel my career and made more sacrifices for work'. I'm not saying you should be lazy etc, but when you're old and grey, and you can't work - if you have centered your entire life around work, then you will die a very, very lonely person.

Think twice about your decision to pursue what I believe are the higher and more meaningful purposes in life, which is relationship and building friendships. I'm not saying don't work etc; I'm suggesting put work in its right priority, rather than making it the only priority.

Relationships, friendships, family, these are just obstacles in the way of happiness...

 

[Dragon2010]

No one dies thinking 'Gee, I wish I did more to fuel my career and made more sacrifices for work'. I'm not saying you should be lazy etc, but when you're old and grey, and you can't work - if you have centered your entire life around work, then you will die a very, very lonely person.

Think twice about your decision to pursue what I believe are the higher and more meaningful purposes in life, which is relationship and building friendships. I'm not saying don't work etc; I'm suggesting put work in its right priority, rather than making it the only priority.

At this point in time, it's just something I can't shift. I honestly have zero desire to chase a relationship, yet alone think of it. In saying that, I never had a completely stable family upbringing and seeing majority of my family around me divorce and suffer serious martial issues is probably a main reason behind why I think such way, trust me - I know theres more meaningful purposes than a career and it's not my sole priority, it's just my main priority at this stage.

I think a lot of it comes to me building a future, I want to build a future for my self - one that is strong and (hopefully) successful. I know, it sounds different and I might be becoming across "wrong" here. But just how i feel.

In saying that, I did say "Can't see my self being married in 10 years", which honestly, I can't. That's just a reflection of my self. Who knows, something might change. Plenty of my cousins are now married at 21, 23 and 24 respectively. So they tied the knot relatively early.

I think a lot of it comes down to personal experiences and life lessons. I have no doubt I'll have mistakes or regrets.

 

[Drew-Sta]

Relationships, friendships, family, these are just obstacles in the way of happiness...

At this point in time, it's just something I can't shift. I honestly have zero desire to chase a relationship, yet alone think of it. In saying that, I never had a completely stable family upbringing and seeing majority of my family around me divorce and suffer serious martial issues is probably a main reason behind why I think such way, trust me - I know theres more meaningful purposes than a career and it's not my sole priority, it's just my main priority at this stage.

I think a lot of it comes to me building a future, I want to build a future for my self - one that is strong and (hopefully) successful. I know, it sounds different and I might be becoming across "wrong" here. But just how i feel.

In saying that, I did say "Can't see my self being married in 10 years", which honestly, I can't. That's just a reflection of my self. Who knows, something might change. Plenty of my cousins are now married at 21, 23 and 24 respectively. So they tied the knot relatively early.

I think a lot of it comes down to personal experiences and life lessons. I have no doubt I'll have mistakes or regrets.

You walk where you walk, mate. I just hope you see things differently in the future.

 

[Apey]

Relationships, friendships, family, these are just obstacles in the way of happiness...

Haha yesss.

 

[Dragon2010]

You walk where you walk, mate. I just hope you see things differently in the future.

I probably will. I'm still young. My priorities and views will change in time. A year ago I had totally different priorities and thoughts to now, same as the year before that.

I'm sure you don't have the same priorities now that you did a few years back, as events occur and life changes around you. So do your priorities.

For me, now it's focusing to build a good career, the next step for that being doing my studies abroad for a year and going from there.

My question was more based to people in general. Instead, I think I talked too much.

 

[Didgi]

In work and life though, I always under promise and over deliver.
It should be everyone's #1 rule.

So much this. Dad always said it and I disregarded it for a while, but it's a fantastic strategy.

 

[Skinner]

not living in Sydney is a win

This fo sho

 

[muzby]

Break your lines with a comma like a real person and there won't be a mix up ;-)

 

[muzby]

No one dies thinking 'Gee, I wish I did more to fuel my career and made more sacrifices for work'. I'm not saying you should be lazy etc, but when you're old and grey, and you can't work - if you have centered your entire life around work, then you will die a very, very lonely person.

incorrect...

you will die a very, very lonely rich person...


afterall, what are women and children but just money sucking parasites?

 

[muzby]

I've never met anyone that regretted investing in their family, friends and relationships.

you haven't met bob jane then, i'm guessing?

 

[Eelementary]

Being lazy is great, as long as you own the fact.

We get pressured from our bosses to make sure we hit our budgets, and if we don't, as store managers, we cop the brunt of their abuse.

Knowing this, we go the extra mile to get new customers and retain current ones by giving the best service and advice possible.

But when it comes down to it, we have no authority or power - if there is a problem (be it pricing or a problem on the site), we must filter the issues upward to those who can actually look after customers.

Now, the problems arise when said people of higher significance deem it more appropriate to do nothing for 10 months - effectively pissing this client's annual multi-hundred thousand dollar spend with us down the toilet. This, in turn, affects our budget - but apparently it isn't a legitimate excuse to say that we lost a massive client because people with the ability and authority to act didn't do so.

And to top it all off, the same people are now further pissing off said clients (and their circle of contacts, which are some of Australia's biggest contractors) by threatening the clients. This, from the same people who did nothing to help the clients for 10 months (when they were in a position to do so), and all to make themselves look like "company men" with "the company's best interests at heart", when everyone can see they are doing it to pave the way for their climb up the ladder.

Meanwhile, us lowly store staff work our arses off to the bone and cop the brunt of the abuse when we fail to meet targets. It's f**ked.

I also saw the very same things happen with my dad. There are more snakes in the business world than reputable characters, and that is, honestly, sad and frightening.

 

[Dani]

i should just clarify my earlier point.. not all retail staff are lazy, saying that you get lazy staff in retail as well..

I was about to get my angry pants on.

I work so hard, maybe not always mentally, but physically my job is so draining. I've worked myself into the ground for very little reward. But I'm good at my job. Actually, I'm great at my job.

 

[afinalsin666]

I was always a lazy worker, but a smart lazy worker. Working the mines was such a crazy technical job that the builders were doing, that if I pushed for an hour I could knock off for the day and take it easy. Always take the less work option, sadly the merkins I was working with didn't see it that way.

 

[Misanthrope]

I've got a topic I'd like to raise a bit of (hopeful) discussion on. Hopefully, it makes sense.

In regards to life/career drive - how do you sell yourself?

I mean, are you happy just to live day by day and survive. Have a stable career and do a job that makes ends meet and no more, or do you want to be somebody, be the best you can possible be and rise above the rest?

I'm happy when I'm happy. I've found that working long hours and climbing the ladder (as I've done at any job I've done) doesn't provide me with a great deal of lasting happiness, although I do enjoy the temporary ego boost of being elevated and seeing my work rewarded.

I don't say 'hard work' because I've never gone in for a job that required it. I believe life is meant to be enjoyed, and I wouldn't be able to enjoy myself wearing myself out every day just so I can afford a mortgage, a car, and two weeks a year in a generic resort somewhere.

I'm much happier with my current existence. I may live a lifestyle similar to that I had as a college student, but I'm generally making more money than I'm spending and I'm seeing the world at the same time.

I'd rather do that and die at 40 knowing I've done as much as I could, then live to be rich and 80 without having any real experiences to my name.