Can't stand it anymore!

[Anonymous]

I just have to vent – I don’t even normally come to DCUM anymore (did a lot when my kids were little), but I need an anonymous place to let out my frustration. It’s my work. I work full time in a great set up in terms of my family, because I work mainly from home, set my own hours for the most part (although this somewhat backfires because I’m essentially “on” all the time). I do not need any form of childcare other than occasional strategic playdates, help from neighbors, etc.; my husband and I make it work all ourselves. And the work I do is theoretically good, in that it contributes to an important goal (health promotion). But…it’s federal government work, and I’ve become very jaded after observing years and years of waste, inefficiency, doing the same thing over and over with the same results, or lack thereof. I also can’t stand the amount of money and energy that goes into bringing people’s random often hair-brained ideas to fruition, without any research or planning to determine if they make sense—these are often the creation of new technical products that sound good in theory but really aren’t. But, no one else seems to care. I like working, but it’s hard to feel motivated when really you know it’s a lot of money/time being wasted. But, it’s such a great set up, that I feel I can’t leave. I guess I just need to keep my game day face on, but really, this is not who I am! Any advise for coping?

[Anonymous]

I hear ya.

I am not saying your an idealist but this whole DC area is full of waste/inefficiency.
Only way I cope is realizing my pay and quality of life is awesome. Although the work is not meaningful at time, just the flexibility is astounding.

Are you making over 100K and get to work from home primarily? That's a pretty good deal. Outside of that, not sure if you can ask your management about project/task selections which might help fufill your creativity.

Anonymous wrote:I just have to vent – I don’t even normally come to DCUM anymore (did a lot when my kids were little), but I need an anonymous place to let out my frustration. It’s my work. I work full time in a great set up in terms of my family, because I work mainly from home, set my own hours for the most part (although this somewhat backfires because I’m essentially “on” all the time). I do not need any form of childcare other than occasional strategic playdates, help from neighbors, etc.; my husband and I make it work all ourselves. And the work I do is theoretically good, in that it contributes to an important goal (health promotion). But…it’s federal government work, and I’ve become very jaded after observing years and years of waste, inefficiency, doing the same thing over and over with the same results, or lack thereof. I also can’t stand the amount of money and energy that goes into bringing people’s random often hair-brained ideas to fruition, without any research or planning to determine if they make sense—these are often the creation of new technical products that sound good in theory but really aren’t. But, no one else seems to care. I like working, but it’s hard to feel motivated when really you know it’s a lot of money/time being wasted. But, it’s such a great set up, that I feel I can’t leave. I guess I just need to keep my game day face on, but really, this is not who I am! Any advise for coping?

[Anonymous]

Volunteer in a soup kitchen.

You have to realize that there are many people out there that would LOVE to have what you have in terms of a good job.

I am a Fed and I work with people that will top out as a GS-5 or 7. They will never make more than that. Develop a hobby, focus on your kids and family. You have it good. At the end of the day you could go to croporate and find the same setup and waste.