And boy does it feel good.
Usually my job stress isn't that great...we roll along here. And the things that do happen, mostly I can contain, handle, move on. Sometimes it keeps me here for 8 hours on Sunday with a dead firewall, but it gets handled and I move on.
This past couple of weeks have been hell. We migrated a system and the things that were happening, the bad things, the stressful things...well, they were out of my control. I don't think of myself as a control freak (do you? Am I?) - but this was more than I can take. To rely on the honesty, competency and fortitude of others in my moment of need? Horrible. I want to know what's happening, must know what's happening so I can make decisions, plan for hours that may keep me here longer, plan if I need to seek new employment. I have to acknowledge the fears of others with my only response as "I'm monitoring this, I'm contacting the proper people, I'll let you know when I know something." And let me tell ya - that SUCKS. And not in a small way. It really SUCKS.
We do so much of our own stuff here that other geeks outsource - so if something breaks, usually I just have to put my nose to the grindstone and work.it.out. Google a lot. Find the answer, tackle the problem, sure to fix things so the problem never happens again. But this? This was completely out of my hands. 45 minutes and no call back on my support question? I'm sooooo calling your supervisor, or in this case everyone I've ever talked to in your organization. I want attention and I want it NOW. I want an answer and I want it NOW. I'm like a 5 year old who wants a gumball. At least placate me by taking the information and telling me you're working on it.
I know lots of people who feel this very same frustration with their IT people at the office. I like to think that I take in stuff and turn it around in a fairly quick manner. Sometimes I forget things. Sometimes people shouldn't call me when they know I'm forgetful. I don't know how many times I can tell people to email me. Yesterday I had an email problem and as soon as I was making headway? We lost power for two hours. And the Pepsi guy showed up to stock the pop machine. And the Xerox guy showed up to fix the copier I had called about. And the printer guy showed up to fix a printer. In the dark. Of course they did. And after everything was all said and done, someone called me to tell me about a problem. You're kidding me, right? I'm tying up 52 loose ends and you're CALLING me? 5 minutes later I finished up what I was working on and walked right by this person twice before I remembered that I was supposed to be helping her. TWICE. And she never said a word. And helping her was the REASON I left my office, people!
But today? Today I'm here with you. Things aren't perfect, but I don't think we've lost anything and I'm learning more about email headers than I ever wanted to know. How do you feel when you're out of control? Aside from persistent follow-up, how do you handle things that are out of your control? Tonight is family movie night...Netflix delivered yesterday - the kids are so excited about watching "Benchwarmers." What's for dinner?
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10 comments:
OMY you poor thing, come to momma!!!
You are not a control freak, however, you like to be in control of your job and fixing problems, NOTHING wrong with that, it's. your. job.
Dinner-Pork chops on the grill that have been rubbed with a "special rub" from Alton Brown together with potatoes and onions sauteed on the grill, I might throw in some green beens, sounds good to me.
When I feel that things are out of control, I just curl up into the fetal position and roll with it, and yet other times I crawl into a dark, dark hole and stay there for a couple of days. The answer will alway appear
When I think things are out of control I usually do something crazy yet "in my control" like cut all my hair off, drive around town looking for a place to get my nose pierced (luckily it was a Sunday, the stores were closed and the mood passed), or drink an exhorbitant amount of Diet Pepsi until I get that funny feeling when my arms start to shake from the caffeine buzz. Good times!
Work has SUCKED here too. I feel for you.
Oh and I did try the new lasagnia pizza from pizza hut. It was pretty good, a little spicy on the sauce, but it did not leave me with heartburn, AND, you can order online, I DID NOT KNOW THAT
when things get out of control for me.....i drink beer....and lots of it.
dinner tonight....steak teryaki by skillet sensations! gotta love dinner in a bag!
Pea, dinner sounds yummy! are you SURE Ron's coming home tonight? he he.
You will all love the benchwarmers
Must have been sucky work day. - for the second day in a row. I'm totally beat.
My coping mechanism is divine vine - wine, that is. And I'm about to partake copious amounts, forget the work world and watch something mindless on the tube.
When things are out of control, I take a step back and try to gather the things that are in my control. I then take a deep breath so that I realize that the things that are not in my control, are just that....Out of my control.
That and I drink a lot of beer.
Also, sex is good in these situations...
Hi Colleen and Anonymous. Welcome.
Jimmer you and your tags - your killing me.
Am I Killing you softly with my voice?
No, you're killing me loudly with your tags!
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