STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

greendiamond · Marc Jacobs

I think I'm dying of boredom!

kenzie · Chanel

I don't have any wise words for you, but I can tell that I empathize. I am so bored all day long. The work that I have to do is mindless busywork, like mass mailings and stuffing brochures. I don't want to ask for more work b/c I can't stand anymore of that kind of redundancy. The worst part is the tedious data entry that gets thrown on me b/c no one else wants to do it. I think my brain is dying. I don't know which is worse, folding shirts all day or stuffing brochures. I think that both are equally mind-numbing, but at least now, I can get on stylethread and waste my day away.

Luv2Shop · Kate Spade

I am not sure who is more lucky...you girls who are so bored and can do your work in your sleep, but are probably getting paid decently, or me? I work in a job in my field as an art assistant. I have enough work for 4 people, and if I cannot meet a deadline in my 40 hour work week, I work overtime, even on weekends with NO OVERTIME PAY to get the job done!!! My company will not hire someone underneath me so when I do get help, it is when I am at my peak of business and they bring in some fresh college grad that I have to train in 1 hour to work for me for 3 days and usually screws things up so I have to go back and fix it myself. The thing I can say about my job is it is very creative and hands on. I love what I do, but the pay and overtime hours are KILLING me.

I actually want to look for a job like yours. Something boring and slow, so I can keep my sanity.
The grass is always greener, right?!?!?!

My advice is, read a book, start a creative project that you can do at your desk. Obviously if you have a job, and your boss knows how much extra time you have and they haven't fired you, don't be afraid to fill your time with something else.

kenzie · Chanel

Luv2Shop wrote:

I actually want to look for a job like yours. Something boring and slow, so I can keep my sanity. The grass is always greener, right?!?!?!

Your job sounds like my dream job!! I love to be busy. Not the weekend stuff (I don't mind staying at night), but the busy and creativity part. I work almost every evening and weekend at writing/graphic design or jewelry design. I like to have every hour filled. I'm crazy, I know. Unfortunately, I do not get paid well. Considering I don't do much of anything at the day job, I guess I get paid well, but in the grand scheme of things, I'm broke.

*Sigh* Someday I'll find a job that really suits me.

ILoveChoo · Hermes

ugh, sorry I can't offer any advice but I am right there with you. Maybe one step ahead, since I've gotten to the point where I don't even care about the tuition reimbursement anymore.

Luv2Shop · Kate Spade

NylaBelle wrote:

Your job sounds like my dream job!! I love to be busy. Not the weekend stuff (I don't mind staying at night), but the busy and creativity part. I work almost every evening and weekend at writing/graphic design or jewelry design. I like to have every hour filled. I'm crazy, I know. Unfortunately, I do not get paid well. Considering I don't do much of anything at the day job, I guess I get paid well, but in the grand scheme of things, I'm broke.
*Sigh* Someday I'll find a job that really suits me.

NylaBelle, So funny! We hava a lot in common! I am a graphic designer with a 4 year degree. I also really love to be busy and I am a workaholic! But I have been busting my @$$ at this place and the pay is really bad. It is really depressing right now that I work so hard for this place but they won't pay well. Also, my commute is really getting to me I drive 1 hour and a half to 2 hours EACH WAY to work!!! I just can't do it anymore.
I know someday I will be rewarded for my hard work. I am applying to a graphics and print company today that is really close to my house, and more customer service related. I make event and wedding stationery on the side so that will keep my creative juices flowing.
Wish me luck!

And good luck to all you other ladies with the boredom thing! We are always here to chat!!

kenzie · Chanel

Luv2Shop wrote:

NylaBelle, So funny! We hava a lot in common! I am a graphic designer with a 4 year degree. I also really love to be busy and I am a workaholic! But I have been busting my @$$ at this place and the pay is really bad. It is really depressing right now that I work so hard for this place but they won't pay well. Also, my commute is really getting to me I drive 1 hour and a half to 2 hours EACH WAY to work!!! I just can't do it anymore. I know someday I will be rewarded for my hard work. I am applying to a graphics and print company today that is really close to my house, and more customer service related. I make event and wedding stationery on the side so that will keep my creative juices flowing. Wish me luck! And good luck to all you other ladies with the boredom thing! We are always here to chat!!

Good luck! That's a horrible commute for you. I drive about 1 hour to work and that's too much! I can't wait to go back to school and start building up more things on my resume. And it will help me get out some creativity that I can't use at work.

Sorry greendiamond, didn't mean to hijack your post!

greendiamond · Marc Jacobs

It's okay, Nylabelle, I can live with a hijacked post!

I was really just needing to vent. I think the grass is greener. I'd love to be busy every moment of my day. My pay sucks, unless you divide my incove over the 10 actual hours I work, in which case I'm making insane money. However, that's not how it works, so the pay still sucks. I just want some mental stimulation and some job satisfaction. I said something to a co-worker yesterday about how bored I was, and she tells me "of course you are bored, you're brilliant. I don't know what you're still doing here" and I thought to my self, neither do I.

Yesterday my boss handed me something to count. To count. Did you know that I am so smart and talented I can count to 391 then remember that number long enough to mark it on a box? I had to pause long enough to UNCAP a marker and write it. I didn't even cheat with one of those clicky ones. And, that was the trickiest part of my day. I almost cried. I did however ask that she find something for me to do immediatly, and requested that it be of some level of difficulty. We'll see what she digs up.

Today I could hear my computer sucking the life out of me...

ok. That's enough complaining.

-gd

kenzie · Chanel

greendiamond wrote:

It's okay, Nylabelle, I can live with a hijacked post! I was really just needing to vent. I think the grass is greener. I'd love to be busy every moment of my day. My pay sucks, unless you divide my incove over the 10 actual hours I work, in which case I'm making insane money. However, that's not how it works, so the pay still sucks. I just want some mental stimulation and some job satisfaction. I said something to a co-worker yesterday about how bored I was, and she tells me "of course you are bored, you're brilliant. I don't know what you're still doing here" and I thought to my self, neither do I. Yesterday my boss handed me something to count. To count. Did you know that I am so smart and talented I can count to 391 then remember that number long enough to mark it on a box? I had to pause long enough to UNCAP a marker and write it. I didn't even cheat with one of those clicky ones. And, that was the trickiest part of my day. I almost cried. I did however ask that she find something for me to do immediatly, and requested that it be of some level of difficulty. We'll see what she digs up. Today I could hear my computer sucking the life out of me... ok. That's enough complaining. -gd

Oh, gd, I completely understand. I hate when my biggest challenge of the day is stuffing more brochures. The best part was when they asked me to take inventory of a specific brochure and then told me that if I 'got lost' that they could help me. Just in case I can't count to boxes, each filled with (and clearly marked) 200 brochures. So, yes, I understand.

Fortunately, I've been working more with the marketing department this week, sending out e-mail campaigns and doing some research. Still not too stimulating and not really want I could/should/want to be doing, but at least it's a smidge closer than stuffing and counting brochures.

Hang in there, gd! Our brilliant minds will get their day in the sun sometime soon (I hope!).

Dizzy · Marc Jacobs

Um, I guess it would be frustrating not to have anything to do. I can sort of see an upside, though. For one, they obviously don't know what you're supposed to be doing. So if you wanted to horn in on some prestigious or attention getting projects, no one could tell the difference. Two, you have more time to network. I've seen people take one project and consult four people on it in a two-hour round through the office. They were basically useless for those two hours, but the bosses loved it. They got a lot of credit for being team players. And if a boss sees you doing something that looks productive, he or she tends to think that's what you're doing all the time. Unfortunately, it works the other way if you get caught surfing the net or something. (You probably already know that, I'm just saying). Three, you have plenty of free time in your life. I hate feeling rushed. And finally, you actually are doing your job as your company has specified it. You did your part, it's not your fault they're too dumb to make a real job out of it.

About the only thing you're actually giving up is the credit for being overworked and underpaid. So that leaves you out of the "Oh my gosh I don't know how much longer I can keep this up..." bragfest. But who needs that, really? I say screw credit, enjoy the break - you're going to need to save your strength for grad school!

One caveat - I am NOT brilliant, so I can't relate there at all. If you can force yourself to go at half pace, though, you might save some brain cells for when you really need it. And if you can't, you can make some key contacts, get some projects done, whatever. It's up to you, and I bet you could have fun with it... Enjoy!

-- Edited by Dizzy at 20:22, 2005-07-27

kenzie · Chanel

It really doesn't end, does it? They are setting me up with 'spreadsheet training' b/c there is a specific spreadsheet that I need to manage. Someone already came up and showed me the spreadsheet and said that I will be inputing info based on an e-mail I recieve. Why do I need to be trained on how to type info into an excel spreadsheet? Why do these people think I'm stupid?!!! This is sooooo aggravating.

-- Edited by NylaBelle at 09:49, 2005-07-28

crystal · Kate Spade

gd, i think my level of productivity is on par w/ urs, probably lower. i have a degree in applied math & i'm testing software that really anyone could be trained to do. i love the people i work w/ & i also get tuition reimbursement, like you. i'm using that to go back to school & get a 2nd BS in accounting so that i can get another boring job, but at least i'll make more money!

NCshopper · Hermes

I was in a position like that when I first graduated from college and was interning. I had some responsibilities, but for the most part I had a lot of free time at work. I was also really anxious to be hired on permanently so I could have more responsibilities and more $$$.

Basically, what I think you need to do is rise to the occasion: if they see you doing nothing, they're not going to expect that you're not capable of doing much. I say, find something that needs to be done and do it, be it reorganizing a supply closet, or a bigger project in your department. If you take on a project, big or little, and do it well, the higher ups will notice and maybe start giving you a little more to do. Do what you can to hang in there though. Good bosses can recognize good employees, and it sounds like you're a good employee, so if you haven't made any progress in 1-2 months, its their fault and not yours and it might be time to start looking elsewhere.