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Why I Find Bullshit Work Intolerable

shubhamjain.co

61–65 of 65 posts

Re: Why I Find Bullshit Work Intolerable

#61
I used to struggle with this a lot, and still do to an extent. One of the most frustrating parts of it for me is having to argue problems that have already been solved, people using outdated tech and approaches.

But then I burned out, badly, I’m still living through the aftershocks.

Now I still get frustrated, and I do argue my case, but only so far as my energy allows, at which point I drop it, keep my head down and do the work. I’ve moved real creativity to my private life where I’m learning the guitar, carpentry, electronics, and reading more than I ever have. Far from feeling like I’ve given up, I feel like I’ve taken control where it most matters. Believe me when I say that the effort you spend winning an argument at work will amount to nothing in the long term, nobody will thank you for it. Conserve that energy for yourself.

(Edited formatting)

Re: Why I Find Bullshit Work Intolerable

#62
Thanks for writing down exactly how I have felt recently.

Engineering requires creativity when the implementation isn’t assured, and creativity requires energy.

The work environment can be like asking people to brainstorm after reading terms and conditions for an hour.

I think you might benefit from reframing who you produce work for, if you feel it’s for a client or the daily process monster, you’re quickly staring at the blank screen again. If you frame it as getting better at work, or another internally goal, you might find you have more creative energy.

Re: Why I Find Bullshit Work Intolerable

#63
post #5

"Contrary to popular belief, burnout isn’t caused by a lack of work-life balance. It’s driven more by the lack of ability to do meaningful work." Couldn't agree more. I wish I was more like my peers who don't seem to get as fully invested in their work (emotionally, mentally, etc)...but if I'm dedicating 40 hours a week to something, it's hard to continue if the work isn't aligned with what I define as meaningful. Li…

>Contrary to popular belief, burnout isn’t caused by a lack of work-life balance.

I'd say boredom isn't burnout. I've done the 9-5 and was bored out of my skull. I'd often have zero output in a given day.

I'm now doing my own start up and putting in a fairly significant chunk of hours (80h+/week) and while I absolutely love what I do, it's just getting too hard to keep up the pace. I'm tired, my work output degrades, so I get even less done. But I still absolutely love it =P

Re: Why I Find Bullshit Work Intolerable

#64
post #56
post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Getting paid well enough to afford a satisfying lifestyle is pretty meaningful, IMO. Is that not enough?

If your job was to watch paint dry for 8 uninterrupted hours every day, but you were paid $150k/year, do you think you would feel happy and fulfilled? being absurd, of course, but there are degrees to everything. I think we can all agree that everyone has some lower boundary for “needs interesting day-to-day activities” — some folks just have different amounts.

I get it. I would also greatly prefer to enjoy my days _and_ get paid a software engineer’s salary, but life is rarely that kind. And when it is, it tends not to last.

I _want_ to enjoy my job, but I _need_ to make money. Most people don’t get either of those things, so I’ve come to terms with just having the latter.

Re: Why I Find Bullshit Work Intolerable

#65
post #60

If you think your job isn't BS you probably haven't read enough adversarial content. 0) The Conspiracy Against The Human Race 1) The Machine Stops 2) The One Dimensional Man 3) A City Is Not A Tree 4) Influence 5) La Technique 6) anything from James C. Scott 7) ... Figuring out the links is left as an exercise to the reader.

What’s adversarial content? Are you referring to “la technique”, the cookbook?

La Technique by Jacques Ellul
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