Finding meaningful work
Discussion
I work in engineering/construction as a site manager/PM. After being made redundant from my contracting role this week, it has been playing on my mind what I should look for in the next role. I have flitted from job to job for a few years but never really loved or found joy in what I was doing. My interest has always been a bit half arsed. I thought the size of the project(s) might have something to do with it, so i've tried handling multiple small projects at once, and i've tried handling one large project. It seemed to make zero difference. I just lack passion for doing what I do. I think it's the monotony of dealing with the same thing daily. It becomes a never ending chore of procedure and processes and documentation and other b
ks that I have zero interest in knowing. Perhaps I need more variety in what I do? Perhaps i'm better off doing something creative? Perhaps work isn't meant to be exciting? Who knows. How do you manage it?
ks that I have zero interest in knowing. Perhaps I need more variety in what I do? Perhaps i'm better off doing something creative? Perhaps work isn't meant to be exciting? Who knows. How do you manage it?Edited by goldar on Thursday 22 December 00:43
GiantCardboardPlato said:
Work can be meaningful.
The first step is to consider and identify what you find meaningful. What do you care about? What do do you value? If you can remember a very satisfying day at work, what gave you the satisfaction?
I find more meaning in the menial jobs. The jobs where I can see the fruits of my labour. As I've climbed higher it has become more managerial and I don't get the same job satisfaction. However those menial jobs don't pay half as well as what I earn now. The first step is to consider and identify what you find meaningful. What do you care about? What do do you value? If you can remember a very satisfying day at work, what gave you the satisfaction?
Evoluzione said:
It depends whether you need the money or not.
That's the thing, I do. I want to live comfortably and retire early. I'm trying to build that future now. Shirley there has to be a way to have my cake and eat it? goldar said:
GiantCardboardPlato said:
Work can be meaningful.
The first step is to consider and identify what you find meaningful. What do you care about? What do do you value? If you can remember a very satisfying day at work, what gave you the satisfaction?
I find more meaning in the menial jobs. The jobs where I can see the fruits of my labour. As I've climbed higher it has become more managerial and I don't get the same job satisfaction. However those menial jobs don't pay half as well as what I earn now. The first step is to consider and identify what you find meaningful. What do you care about? What do do you value? If you can remember a very satisfying day at work, what gave you the satisfaction?
Evoluzione said:
It depends whether you need the money or not.
That's the thing, I do. I want to live comfortably and retire early. I'm trying to build that future now. Shirley there has to be a way to have my cake and eat it? If you can find that in between place you're very lucky and maybe what, that 5%?
Either side of that it's perhaps 50/50, with one half making a good living doing something humdrum, the other 50% doing something enjoyable and worthwhile, but earning peanuts.
Or find yourself a rich partner.....
Goldar, from what you describe it sounds like the satisfaction comes from the act of using physical/manual skill to create something. Do you have some sort of craft? Could you specialise or develop that a lot? If you can get REALLY good at something (perhaps you already are), you can get paid well for it. Could you then do independently and perhaps outsource all of the less fun tasks that would surround that (e.g. preparing quotes, communicating with customers, etc. etc.)
Edited by GiantCardboardPlato on Thursday 22 December 07:11
Evoluzione said:
If you can find that in between place you're very lucky and maybe what, that 5%?
I think there is something wrong with me, was in at work 6:45am on Friday till 6pm when there was no reason for it, this morning was sending out work emails before I realised Xmas eve should be spent doing other stuff!! Been talking shop most of the day to any family that will listen.......I need more of a life outside work
.GiantCardboardPlato said:
Goldar, from what you describe it sounds like the satisfaction comes from the act of using physical/manual skill to create something. Do you have some sort of craft? Could you specialise or develop that a lot? If you can get REALLY good at something (perhaps you already are), you can get paid well for it. Could you then do independently and perhaps outsource all of the less fun tasks that would surround that (e.g. preparing quotes, communicating with customers, etc. etc.)
Honestly, I'd get satisfaction from something mundane like sweeping the floor. I guess that means the things I find satisfying are the ones where I can see the immediate or direct result of my actions. Management of construction projects is not that. Sadly, the money is in management, and not in sweeping the floor. I doubt there's any manual task I could do which would net me the same money. And even if there was, I would be outclassed by someone better at it than me lol.I don't know what it is, just other people seem to be on the ball in their job a lot more than I am. Unless i'm really invested in it, I find all the little details tiresome. I'm not exactly being carried by colleagues, but my lack of interest does show at times.
Edited by goldar on Tuesday 27th December 23:13
I'm with the OP, I was very good at my job, got very well paid, but got no satisfaction from it.
Retired at 57 and not missed it one little bit.
I get much more satisfaction from simple menial things like building a wood store or fettling a push bike then I ever did working on multi million pounds projects. Can't say it would have been like that if I'd had to do those things for money, but definitely know where he's coming from.
Can't say I have any helpful suggestions though, just wanted to say he wasn't alone.
Retired at 57 and not missed it one little bit.
I get much more satisfaction from simple menial things like building a wood store or fettling a push bike then I ever did working on multi million pounds projects. Can't say it would have been like that if I'd had to do those things for money, but definitely know where he's coming from.
Can't say I have any helpful suggestions though, just wanted to say he wasn't alone.
goldar said:
Honestly, I'd get satisfaction from something mundane like sweeping the floor. I guess that means the things I find satisfying are the ones where I can see the immediate or direct result of my actions. Management of construction projects is not that. Sadly, the money is in management, and not in sweeping the floor. I doubt there's any manual task I could do which would net me the same money. And even if there was, I would be outclassed by someone better at it than me lol.
I don't know what it is, just other people seem to be on the ball in their job a lot more than I am. Unless i'm really invested in it, I find all the little details tiresome. I'm not exactly being carried by colleagues, but my lack of interest does show at times.
You are certainly not the only one who feels like that.I don't know what it is, just other people seem to be on the ball in their job a lot more than I am. Unless i'm really invested in it, I find all the little details tiresome. I'm not exactly being carried by colleagues, but my lack of interest does show at times.
It feels to me that projects that are on a more human scale, with tangible progress proportional to my efforts, with the opportunity to learn new things, are far more satisfying than those that are large, with lots of meetings, design by committee, frustrating and provide little to show for my own efforts (typically just paperwork).
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