How do you do well at job you dont care about?
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Anonymous
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I am a fed atty. The job is fine but very boring. Lately, I have just not been into it, I am very bored even with a constant stream of work and I am not focused and making lots of mistakes as a result. None of the mistakes are big, but I am annoying my supervisor.
I am trying to focus more, (stay off DCUM), and clean up my work but it is so hard when I would rather be doing anything else. I don't want to leave bc its a good salary, flexible hours, good people to work with, and good for my family, but I cant seem to figure this out. Any tips? |
Anonymous
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I'm in a similar position (fed atty, mundane work, horrible agency), and it's brutal. Is there any chance your job could get better if you advance within the agency? If not, start looking somewhere else.
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Anonymous
In theory, there are other positions that I would like better within the agency but 1. not going to get them when I am turning in crappy work and 2. I would lose my flexibility in other positions and might gain stress that I'd rather not have with young kids. I know I sound super spoiled. I have many friends who would be very, very grateful to have my job and I am grateful but I am also not motivated. |
Anonymous
Exact Same (fed atty) boat here. Hate my work. Need the pay and hours. |
Anonymous
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I'd tell you to focus on your kids and why you're working, but it sounds like you're doing that already.
You could try talking to coworkers about substantive work topics; that might make things feel interesting again. If you have a good relationship with the supervisor, you could also be blunt and explain that you're not feeling challenged. But that could easily backfire. Honestly, if you don't want to advance or leave, you'll have to suck it up. Do the bare minimum and stay off the boss's radar. |
Anonymous
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OP you've already highlgihted that you know you are lucky to have your job with the pay and flexibiltiy. I'd focus on that. It sounds corny, but try writing down 5 thigns each day you are grateful for about your job, and what it allows you to do. Sometimes jobs aren't the end all and be all, they are a means to an end (financial security for your family?). If you need help remembring how fortunate you are, try volunteering (with your kids if they are old enough) at a soup kitchen or homeless shelter or something. Or, vacation to a developing country. Every time I travel abroad I am reminded just how lucky I am. My first job in governmnet I definitely did not love. I didn't have kids at the time, but I would still have times when every day, on the way to my job I would remind myself "I love getting paid, I love getting paid." I was fresh out of grad school and the concept of earning money instead of taking on debt was super exciting and motivating. the other thing I've used to motivate myself is doing my job well so that I don't have any regrets (regrest that I was ripping off the tax payer by my shoddy work, regrets that folks who I knew in that office could eventually became people in a position to hire me to do really awesome work but didn't think much of me because of the crap work I did). Good luck! We all lack motivation at times.
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Anonymous
| I count the days until retirement (275, to be exact) |
Anonymous
| Are you in a field with subject matter that could transfer to another agency or private? Even another type of job at some other place? Like, finance? |
Anonymous
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OP - No matter what you decide to do, you need to be doing all you can to not make mistakes because you would need a job reference in the future. Also, maybe talk to some other women lawyers with young children and get a first-hand look at their work day. If you have flexibility, not a high stress job with young children there is a lot to be said to be grateful for the balance. If you are bored at work, perhaps finding a way to use your lawyer skills a bit as a volunteer might give you the personal satisfaction in terms of your skills set that seems lacking at your job. BUT you do need to do your best at work and not be web surfing which can also easily be checked at work if using a government computer. |
Anonymous
| You redirect yourself by looking at your work and deciding that you want to take pride in your work, rather than worrying about the content. Do you appreciate being thought of as a slacker or lazy? Your personal reputation is based on your output. You want to build your reputation to the point that if you ever found the right opportunity that both offered you work that interests you AND the personal flexibility that you need that you would be considered a prime candidate to take it. Right now, you are not going to be considered and that is because you aren't a worthy candidate. So, take some pride in yourself and your work and start turning in work that you are proud of, even if you don't care about the content. |
Anonymous
| I do it by having a drop dead date and keeping my eye open for new oppportunities in the meantime. That is, if I am still here by x date and things haven't improved, I will leave and take my chances. It helps to keep me focussed on doing a 100% good job in the meantime. If you don't feel like you can be fully engaged and professional in the job, you should leave NOW. You will definitely suffer for it in the long run. |
Anonymous
| Some you can. I worked for a small design company on a project I hated and did great work. As a teacher , I can 't fake it. |
Anonymous
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I feel the same (not an attorney though). I stay because my job is extremely flexible, which I completely appreciate because my husband's job is the exact opposite.
I motivate myself to do well because 1. I care about my reputation and 2. my abilities/work ethic afford me even more freedom and flexibility. In other words, I don't want to ruin a good thing by being a less-than employee. |