How can some people be so enthusiastic? What is the secret?
Discussion
I've spent much of my working (and my uni) life dragging myself to the office and clock-watching.
A change of job last year improved matters a lot, but it is still just a job and I certainly wouldn't be doing it if I was given a private income.
I am mystified by the enthusiasm and dedication show by some people to even the most tedious, boring work tasks. Some colleagues will work long hours week-in-week-out and some will be beavering away and responding to emails at all times of the night. Some of them get paid extra for it, others not. I just cannot understand what drives some of these people.
I'll admit that I am somebody who has poor time management, finds it extremely difficult to focus on things that don't interest me and is, therefore, prone to procrastination. Ultimately, I 'under-achieve' and just fail to get things done. I also (selfishly) get very frustrated by a lack of free-time due to work and family responsibilities, but know that I end up making it worse by wasting even more time procrastinating.
I would like to know the secret of how to become more like the people who are dedicated to their work, who can compartmentalise their time successfully and give and receive the most out of their life.
I know that there are various techniques out there, but it strikes me that the people who are 'effective' are 'just like that', they don't have to constantly battle against their inadequacies before trying hard at the tasks they are required to carry out.
Hmmmm.
A change of job last year improved matters a lot, but it is still just a job and I certainly wouldn't be doing it if I was given a private income.
I am mystified by the enthusiasm and dedication show by some people to even the most tedious, boring work tasks. Some colleagues will work long hours week-in-week-out and some will be beavering away and responding to emails at all times of the night. Some of them get paid extra for it, others not. I just cannot understand what drives some of these people.
I'll admit that I am somebody who has poor time management, finds it extremely difficult to focus on things that don't interest me and is, therefore, prone to procrastination. Ultimately, I 'under-achieve' and just fail to get things done. I also (selfishly) get very frustrated by a lack of free-time due to work and family responsibilities, but know that I end up making it worse by wasting even more time procrastinating.
I would like to know the secret of how to become more like the people who are dedicated to their work, who can compartmentalise their time successfully and give and receive the most out of their life.
I know that there are various techniques out there, but it strikes me that the people who are 'effective' are 'just like that', they don't have to constantly battle against their inadequacies before trying hard at the tasks they are required to carry out.
Hmmmm.
I'm not sure what sort of answer you are looking for here, so I'll just give you my take.
I really enjoy my job - and I'd say like every job it has good and bad parts to it. It can't all be go go go, you do have some mundane bits.
I'd say I'm enthusiastic about it, lets even go for passionate, and I work with plenty of people who have lost the will to live it seems, or just can't wait to leave each day and do work avoidance when they are there.
My problem at work is keeping enthusiasm in check as it can look unprofessional if you are energiser bunny activity levels all the time (lets call it immature rather than anything else). I also have to consider how I engage with those who, lets be honest, don't want to be there. If I go in all happy and chirpy they hate it.
I really enjoy my job - and I'd say like every job it has good and bad parts to it. It can't all be go go go, you do have some mundane bits.
I'd say I'm enthusiastic about it, lets even go for passionate, and I work with plenty of people who have lost the will to live it seems, or just can't wait to leave each day and do work avoidance when they are there.
My problem at work is keeping enthusiasm in check as it can look unprofessional if you are energiser bunny activity levels all the time (lets call it immature rather than anything else). I also have to consider how I engage with those who, lets be honest, don't want to be there. If I go in all happy and chirpy they hate it.
Haha.
Yeah those people baffle me. I like my job, it pays my mortgage and keeps me in 'stuff'. I appreciate that I'm employed and paid reasonably well and I don't complain about having to go to work (well, you know)
But some people take it to n'th degree. Their whole lives revolve around their job, both professional and socially, and they embrace it with a frightening enthusiasm...
And I believe these people have no souls.
I don't 'hate' them, as such. I just want them all to leave me alone.
Yeah those people baffle me. I like my job, it pays my mortgage and keeps me in 'stuff'. I appreciate that I'm employed and paid reasonably well and I don't complain about having to go to work (well, you know)
But some people take it to n'th degree. Their whole lives revolve around their job, both professional and socially, and they embrace it with a frightening enthusiasm...
And I believe these people have no souls.
I don't 'hate' them, as such. I just want them all to leave me alone.
Different strokes for different folks 
I fill in spreadsheets for a living. Love it
One sibling used to work in IT for a large corporate organisation. Despite decent pay and perks he hated every minute of it. Now works for himself doing much the same (apart from working longer hours and less job security and more travelling) and loves it. Another sibling is yer typical PH IT contractor -gets paid shedloads with regular travel to the US and Europe and also hates it but can't give up the pay.
Find something you enjoy and you'll never work a day in your life.
I fill in spreadsheets for a living. Love it
One sibling used to work in IT for a large corporate organisation. Despite decent pay and perks he hated every minute of it. Now works for himself doing much the same (apart from working longer hours and less job security and more travelling) and loves it. Another sibling is yer typical PH IT contractor -gets paid shedloads with regular travel to the US and Europe and also hates it but can't give up the pay.
Find something you enjoy and you'll never work a day in your life.
I love the work I do.
However, I haven't always loved the PLACES where I carried out that work.
Now that I work for myself, I no longer have that particular issue.
The only reason I watch the clock is because I am usually up against time deadlines so I'm trying to will the clock to go SLOWER, not faster.
However, I haven't always loved the PLACES where I carried out that work.
Now that I work for myself, I no longer have that particular issue.
The only reason I watch the clock is because I am usually up against time deadlines so I'm trying to will the clock to go SLOWER, not faster.
I've just re-read what you wrote, and want to add something.
Do you want to feel that way too?
For me, work takes up so much of my life, I have to enjoy it. I know there is the whole work to live/live to work thing, but you can actually have a job you enjoy...
What made the difference for me was decent managers, and realising to enjoy your employment, it is down to the employee as well as the employer. You can make of a job what you wish, and if you go the extra mile to find good stuff to do, you either get rewarded personally through feeling happier, or through financial/career progression... maybe even both.
Is there someone at work who you see as a role model? I have no idea what you do, so its hard to give an example, but I've found having a professional mentor really useful.
Do you want to feel that way too?
For me, work takes up so much of my life, I have to enjoy it. I know there is the whole work to live/live to work thing, but you can actually have a job you enjoy...
What made the difference for me was decent managers, and realising to enjoy your employment, it is down to the employee as well as the employer. You can make of a job what you wish, and if you go the extra mile to find good stuff to do, you either get rewarded personally through feeling happier, or through financial/career progression... maybe even both.
Is there someone at work who you see as a role model? I have no idea what you do, so its hard to give an example, but I've found having a professional mentor really useful.
Woodrow Wilson said:
I am mystified by the enthusiasm and dedication show by some people to even the most tedious, boring work tasks. Some colleagues will work long hours week-in-week-out and some will be beavering away and responding to emails at all times of the night. Some of them get paid extra for it, others not. I just cannot understand what drives some of these people
Some people have literally nothing in their life that comes before work. I know this rather well, I used to sit in an office with them.I left the aforementioned job, and am about to start something which (I hope) I'll be passionate about. Passion is the difference, if what you do doesn't give you a reason to get up in the morning then you won't be interested. Some people are passionate about office work and what they do, others may be slightly more adventurous...
Why not try to like it more. Take an interest in your industry and try to do your job better and with more passion. I've found that I enjoy my job much more than I thought I did and it's from being more active in my role and just being more interested in it.
Recently spent a day promoting careers in construction to schools / university pupils and doing something like that makes you realise what a good industry you are in.
Recently spent a day promoting careers in construction to schools / university pupils and doing something like that makes you realise what a good industry you are in.
to be honest your original post strikes me as immature, unless born with a silver spoon in your mouth or a major lottery win in the bank, most people have to work hard for anything they want in life, if that means doing a job they dont particularly like or struggle to be motivated to do, then move on and find something you do like and can get motivated by, even in a job you dont like, the time would pass far more quickly if you just got on with it and didnt clock watch all the time.
personally, i would stop bleeting about being miserable and do something about it, i for one, wished i was in your position and had a full time position, the company i have worked my arse off for for the last 10 years have put me on part time hours, would love to be in a full time position again and would be grateful for the opportunity.
personally, i would stop bleeting about being miserable and do something about it, i for one, wished i was in your position and had a full time position, the company i have worked my arse off for for the last 10 years have put me on part time hours, would love to be in a full time position again and would be grateful for the opportunity.
d like me could end you in a nano second.DanoS4 said:
Gonna say, the issue seems all yours
It is. The original post may well sound immature to some people and I'll admit that it is the sort of problem that only people in a relatively comfortable position would complain about.
Re: Time management. It's not about being on time (I'm on time for appointments), it's about planning about workloads and carrying out tasks in an orderly, timely manner.
My current employer is very good, I like my colleagues and the workplace is actually fairly pleasant.
I would, however, genuinely like to know how to maintain high motivation for months/years and become more consistently enthusiastic about poor projects or things that are not interesting, not stimulating, seem ridiculous or have targets that are constantly changing.
I know that we can't all be field marshalls or presidents and I am definitely not one of them. I'm in the middle-ranks, and from my current outlook, climbing the corporate ladder appears to give diminishing returns, even if there is more money on offer
-I'm not particularly materialistic, though, so earning a few more quid is not much of an incentive and probably wouldn't make much difference to my life at the moment, although it would allow the mortgage to be paid off sooner.
I do work best when I have an inspirational manager/leader, but these are few and far between. I've almost always had to feel my way through work without much assistance.
The mentor idea is a good one, though, I'll see if I can arrange something.
ps. I've considered changing completely in the past, but it would have involved large financial sacrifices (going from a moderately comfortable to a poor existence) for many years and would require maintaining enthusiasm!
Woodrow Wilson said:
I've spent much of my working (and my uni) life dragging myself to the office and clock-watching.
A change of job last year improved matters a lot, but it is still just a job and I certainly wouldn't be doing it if I was given a private income.
I am mystified by the enthusiasm and dedication show by some people to even the most tedious, boring work tasks. Some colleagues will work long hours week-in-week-out and some will be beavering away and responding to emails at all times of the night. Some of them get paid extra for it, others not. I just cannot understand what drives some of these people.
I'll admit that I am somebody who has poor time management, finds it extremely difficult to focus on things that don't interest me and is, therefore, prone to procrastination. Ultimately, I 'under-achieve' and just fail to get things done. I also (selfishly) get very frustrated by a lack of free-time due to work and family responsibilities, but know that I end up making it worse by wasting even more time procrastinating.
I would like to know the secret of how to become more like the people who are dedicated to their work, who can compartmentalise their time successfully and give and receive the most out of their life.
I know that there are various techniques out there, but it strikes me that the people who are 'effective' are 'just like that', they don't have to constantly battle against their inadequacies before trying hard at the tasks they are required to carry out.
Hmmmm.
I'll buck the trend of people responding here.A change of job last year improved matters a lot, but it is still just a job and I certainly wouldn't be doing it if I was given a private income.
I am mystified by the enthusiasm and dedication show by some people to even the most tedious, boring work tasks. Some colleagues will work long hours week-in-week-out and some will be beavering away and responding to emails at all times of the night. Some of them get paid extra for it, others not. I just cannot understand what drives some of these people.
I'll admit that I am somebody who has poor time management, finds it extremely difficult to focus on things that don't interest me and is, therefore, prone to procrastination. Ultimately, I 'under-achieve' and just fail to get things done. I also (selfishly) get very frustrated by a lack of free-time due to work and family responsibilities, but know that I end up making it worse by wasting even more time procrastinating.
I would like to know the secret of how to become more like the people who are dedicated to their work, who can compartmentalise their time successfully and give and receive the most out of their life.
I know that there are various techniques out there, but it strikes me that the people who are 'effective' are 'just like that', they don't have to constantly battle against their inadequacies before trying hard at the tasks they are required to carry out.
Hmmmm.
I have generally found people to be really enthusiastic with their dull office job to be quite thick, or certainly at a thickness level in which their job is somewhat challenging.
I completely understand the OP, in a similarly unmotivating job I would probably be the same; which is why you need a more challenging job.
I have yet to find any job role given to me actually challenging, I used to think this was because I had not had the right opportunities, but now I work in a very technical and supposedly difficult role and have realised most people are actually quite thick, and those that are very intelligent are often a bit anti-social, or something else like mildly aspergers or something?!? so don't seem to mind the monotony.
The answer for me was to make my role more difficult. automate things, learn to code, avoid the monotonous work and just do the most challenging stuff you can find.
So woodrow, describe what you do. I don't car about the job title, what do you actually do?
Edited by Efbe on Sunday 26th January 21:53
MocMocaMoc said:
Haha.
Yeah those people baffle me. I like my job, it pays my mortgage and keeps me in 'stuff'. I appreciate that I'm employed and paid reasonably well and I don't complain about having to go to work (well, you know)
But some people take it to n'th degree. Their whole lives revolve around their job, both professional and socially, and they embrace it with a frightening enthusiasm...
And I believe these people have no souls.
I don't 'hate' them, as such. I just want them all to leave me alone.
Same here. I like my job, am happy to do work at all hours and I'd probably still do it if I didn't get paid.Yeah those people baffle me. I like my job, it pays my mortgage and keeps me in 'stuff'. I appreciate that I'm employed and paid reasonably well and I don't complain about having to go to work (well, you know)
But some people take it to n'th degree. Their whole lives revolve around their job, both professional and socially, and they embrace it with a frightening enthusiasm...
And I believe these people have no souls.
I don't 'hate' them, as such. I just want them all to leave me alone.
However, at the end of the day, it's just a job. I'm not a transplant surgeon, and no-one will die if I don't do a good job. It's just another part of my life, which, luckily, is reasonably interesting and challenging.
I'd also say that jobs are what you make them, and the more senior and autonomous you are the truer this becomes. If I'm bored at work then generally it's my own fault. I'm in a senior enough position that I make my own work and choose which agendas to drive. That wasn't always the case, and jobs with limited autonomy can be rather dull and uninvolving, I agree.
Countdown said:
Find something you enjoy and you'll never work a day in your life.
I think that people who manage to do that whilst making a decent living are very, very fortunate -they've made good decisions and also been quite lucky.torqueofthedevil said:
Why not try to like it more. Take an interest in your industry and try to do your job better and with more passion
Easier said than done, though. Those who are enthusiastic and dedicated to 'the cause' don't have to make a conscious effort, they just do it and their work is an important hobby/interest, if not their life. You can't just wake up one morning and decide to give your life to something you previously didn't find particularly engaging, can you?Countdown said:
Recently spent a day promoting careers in construction to schools / university pupils and doing something like that makes you realise what a good industry you are in.
Interestingly, my experience of the worlds of construction was of bullying, unreasonable people, unpleasant treatment of sub-contractors and companies spending fortunes on taking each other to court....I work in engineering and currently lead a team of engineers.
The autonomy thing is difficult. If I'm honest, I'm not really 'a leader' as such and it helps me to have somebody to discuss things with. In common with most people, I've almost always been at the mercy of the ever-changing whims, demands and time pressures of customers, which can be quite unsettling and wearing. I certainly don't feel that it makes me want to "rise to the challenge!".
I'm an enthusiastic learner, practically-minded and enjoy sharing ideas with others. I'm driven by doing things I'm interested in, learning and doing things for myself and friends, not in generating profits for a company or climbing the corporate ladder (Ok, so I'd like a classic 911, but I'd have to sell my soul to "the man" or work in a war-zone be able to afford one and have no time at home)
Teaching did appeal to me on some levels (and my experiences of schools and the results of me doing some teaching were actually very positive). I was, however, put off by both the very large cut in income(quite possibly forever) and a recruitment lecturer who, having told me that I gave very good answers to the questions, thought that I would probably struggle with having to follow seemingly ridiculous new schemes that teachers are frequently told to work to. I was apparently "not passionate enough" (I'm a man...) in another interview either.
Edited by Woodrow Wilson on Monday 27th January 21:02
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