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Why Hating Your Shitty Job Only Makes It Worse

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Re: Why Hating Your Shitty Job Only Makes It Worse

#21

Post by mhb »

ams6110 wrote: post #13
CodeMage wrote: post #12

Too many words to express a worn out platitude: "See every day as an opportunity to learn something that you didn't know yesterday". Here's the only part of the article that I really agree with: "Don't waste your time hating your job and doing it badly." That right there is the real reason why hating your shitty job only makes it worse: because you're wasting your time hating it, instead of looking for a way to eithe…

Ecclesiastes 9:10 is more concise.

Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the realm of the dead, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ecclesiastes+9%3...

Re: Why Hating Your Shitty Job Only Makes It Worse

#22

Post by learc83 »

I was a Geek Squad employee, and before that a Best Buy customer service rep for several years. Something I noticed was that the worst days were the ones with the fewest customers.

When we were busy I couldn't be lazy--there was just too much work to do. But on slow days I hated every single customer who walked up to the counter because it felt like they were interrupting me.

I've noticed this from the other side as well. Ever try to order something from McDonald's at 1:00 am?

Re: Why Hating Your Shitty Job Only Makes It Worse

#23

Post by CleanedStar »

Some wage slave making minimum wage doesn't hop to attention to the second a college educated "lifestyle website" owner walks in the door, let me break out the violins. Then she's going to give some condescending life advice to the guy who is supposed to wait on her hand and foot.

Lowly wage slaves have their ways to deal with annoying, self-important customers. I have friends who are waiters. Believe me, the people serving you your food have all kinds of ways to get back at obnoxious customers. If I ever have the misfortune to sit at a table with someone who acts obnoxiously toward my waiter, or sends food back to the kitchen, you can be assured that I am finished touching any food that will come out of that kitchen again, destined for my plate. You can search the web for blog posts about these things if you're interested.

Re: Why Hating Your Shitty Job Only Makes It Worse

#24

Post by jval »

Sad to see so many negative comments on this article and on the site, totally uncalled for and unfortunately very common with HN comments these days.

Give the OP a break. The story about the boyfriend was fascinating. Get over the bold sentences, they're fine. I can't believe we live in a world where someone says something nice and the first three comments on the article are regarding bold text.

And yes, some people can't quit due to circumstances outside their control. Fact of life. There's a reason 99% of famous startup founders are white American males - often they're people who come from circumstances where 'quitting fast' on their 'crappy job' is an option without severe consequences. Try finding me a group of famous founders who quit their job when they had dependents in order to go chase a startup dream and I'll be happy to back down on that one.

Some people do it tough. It's nice to read something like this that encourages us to cheer up and look at the good side of bad situations. That might not be enough to make life good, but it certainly won't make life worse.

Re: Why Hating Your Shitty Job Only Makes It Worse

#25

Post by Evbn »

learc83 wrote: post #22

I was a Geek Squad employee, and before that a Best Buy customer service rep for several years. Something I noticed was that the worst days were the ones with the fewest customers. When we were busy I couldn't be lazy--there was just too much work to do. But on slow days I hated every single customer who walked up to the counter because it felt like they were interrupting me. I've noticed this from the other side as…

I feel opposite. On slow days, it nice to have something to do, but not exhausting overload.

Re: Why Hating Your Shitty Job Only Makes It Worse

#26

Post by Evbn »

blackhole wrote: post #2

There should be a disclaimer here that, if you are involved with a shitty job that involves customer service , hating it and not doing a good job will almost certainly make it worse, because most people actually like being helpful. Helping someone out and noticeably making their day better is one of the most surefire ways to make yourself feel better, even if you currently have a job you absolutely detest. Unfortunat…

Sadly, most CSRs are punished for helping people, as that takes time or costs the company money in other ways. Instead,they are forced to try upsells when customers call for help. Startups, Please don't do this.

Re: Why Hating Your Shitty Job Only Makes It Worse

#27

Post by georgefox »

CodeMage wrote: post #12

Too many words to express a worn out platitude: "See every day as an opportunity to learn something that you didn't know yesterday". Here's the only part of the article that I really agree with: "Don't waste your time hating your job and doing it badly." That right there is the real reason why hating your shitty job only makes it worse: because you're wasting your time hating it, instead of looking for a way to eithe…

I largely agree with what you're saying, but I do believe that making an effort to be somewhat positive can have positive effects. Too much negativity in a workplace can be toxic and can have a paralyzing effect not unlike depression at the individual level. It seems a common retort around here would be, "just find another job," which is not a bad idea, but it's not always that simple.

I appreciate the link to the Ehrenreich talk. Her point on the anesthetizing potential of too much positivity is a good one. Realism and dissent are important for productive change in the workplace. But dissent can often be accompanied by a whole lot of pessimism and negativity (as she mentions), which isn't necessarily good for anyone. Striking a balance is important. As is often the case, it's a matter of moderation... which brings us back to that bold text.

Re: Why Hating Your Shitty Job Only Makes It Worse

#28

Post by HarryHirsch »

ams6110 wrote: post #13
CodeMage wrote: post #12

Too many words to express a worn out platitude: "See every day as an opportunity to learn something that you didn't know yesterday". Here's the only part of the article that I really agree with: "Don't waste your time hating your job and doing it badly." That right there is the real reason why hating your shitty job only makes it worse: because you're wasting your time hating it, instead of looking for a way to eithe…

Ecclesiastes 9:10 is more concise.

Also important: Ecclesiastes 9:11 to counterbalance this piece of patronizing drivel.

Re: Why Hating Your Shitty Job Only Makes It Worse

#29

Post by jdotjdot »

georgefox wrote: post #27
CodeMage wrote: post #12

Too many words to express a worn out platitude: "See every day as an opportunity to learn something that you didn't know yesterday". Here's the only part of the article that I really agree with: "Don't waste your time hating your job and doing it badly." That right there is the real reason why hating your shitty job only makes it worse: because you're wasting your time hating it, instead of looking for a way to eithe…

I largely agree with what you're saying, but I do believe that making an effort to be somewhat positive can have positive effects. Too much negativity in a workplace can be toxic and can have a paralyzing effect not unlike depression at the individual level. It seems a common retort around here would be, "just find another job," which is not a bad idea, but it's not always that simple. I appreciate the link to the Eh…

That's exactly the thing though - - the corporate positive mindset isn't about avoiding needless negativity, it's simply enforcing causeless positivity and optimism. You might be the type of person who simply isn't a bucket full of sunshine all the time without necessarily being "negative", though in the corporate world you'd be considered that if you are anything less than super positive.

I don't think it's a question of "is negativity good or bad", I see it as more of why can't we just let people be themselves? As long as we have a healthy mix, we should have all types of views and personalities represented, en though that are slightly more negative.

Re: Why Hating Your Shitty Job Only Makes It Worse

#30

Post by 6ren »

mhb wrote: post #21
ams6110 wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Ecclesiastes 9:10 is more concise.

Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the realm of the dead, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom. http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ecclesiastes+9%3...

Sounds like an atheist, more so in the KJV version. I thought the bible was pro-heaven? http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ecclesiastes+9%3...

  Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work,
  nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.
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