What's your current headache?

BuddytheReow said:
Anybody else feel like they're just bored all the time with their job but you can't quit cuz, you know, bills? That's where I'm at.
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After 20 years at my current job, that's exactly how I've felt since year 5. And I'm in my mid 40s. But between the changing job market and what I currently make and all my benefits, starting over and taking a pay cut and giving up my pension at this age seems like financial suicide. Oh well, maybe I'll stroke out on the job and get an early retirement 😂
 
I'm at the point in my job where I'm starting to speak up to my manager that I'd like to do more, take on more responsibilities, or even a lateral move at my company. I'm just hoping this won't fall on deaf ears. Don't get me wrong: I'm grateful for the opportunity, the pay check, benefits, and wfh flexibility. It's just not that interesting to me anymore. And I'm an accountant! Some of the most boring people you'll ever meet...
 
I feel like I've lost my fastball at work. Since I'm in education, usually I'm pretty on top of things and can make things interesting (I'm not directly in the classroom as much as I was - no, not an administrator), especially in science. But the past couple years have just been blah at times: it just doesn't have the effect it did. But some of that is on the kids: they've lost a lot of innate curiosity and some drive. Maybe since things are "normalizing" it might change.

So, in summation: I agree.
 
BuddytheReow said:
Anybody else feel like they're just bored all the time with their job but you can't quit cuz, you know, bills? That's where I'm at.
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Yep. I would love to quit and do pedals full time, but the combination of bills paired with the general uncertainty of sales keeps me tethered to my cubicle 40 hours a week.

I'm at the point in my job where I'm starting to speak up to my manager that I'd like to do more
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I definitely don't do that.
 
Not so much bored as recovering from burnout. I crashed hard in Nov ‘23 and managed to hide it. I felt a lot better after about a year and a half, but now it’s a balance to avoid that happening again.

I do take on a lot, but not just for the hell of it. I use it as leverage. I’m non-confrontational in many aspects of my life, but I’m pretty aggressive when it comes to negotiating my compensation. I also don’t keep it a secret from my boss if I’m frustrated with something or someone. Or the times I’ve considered leaving the company.

Long story short, I have a lot invested in my reputation at work. At this age, it just sounds exhausting to rebuild all of that somewhere else.
 
jcpst said:
Not so much bored as recovering from burnout. I crashed hard in Nov ‘23 and managed to hide it. I felt a lot better after about a year and a half, but now it’s a balance to avoid that happening again.

I do take on a lot, but not just for the hell of it. I use it as leverage. I’m non-confrontational in many aspects of my life, but I’m pretty aggressive when it comes to negotiating my compensation. I also don’t keep it a secret from my boss if I’m frustrated with something or someone. Or the times I’ve considered leaving the company.

Long story short, I have a lot invested in my reputation at work. At this age, it just sounds exhausting to rebuild all of that somewhere else.
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Sounds a lot like me. Do you also work for the government? 😂
 
BuddytheReow said:
Anybody else feel like they're just bored all the time with their job but you can't quit cuz, you know, bills? That's where I'm at.
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I have never, ever, in my entire life, ever felt like that. Work is always super thrilling and exciting, and a fantastic use of my talents. I always feel fulfilled at the end of the day and happy with all my coworkers. Life is the best

/s
 
BuddytheReow said:
Anybody else feel like they're just bored all the time with their job but you can't quit cuz, you know, bills? That's where I'm at.
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I’m not bored, I’m unmotivated.

On 2/2, we launched new software that was nowhere near ready. For a company our size, implementation should take 12–18 months to properly test and refine. We did it in six and it shows. Tasks that used to take a minute now take 10–15.

Meanwhile, my boss who was recently demoted after seven months in a title only “promotion” spent that time destroying morale and threatening me almost weekly. HR had to intervene multiple times. He had no additional authority or responsibility just the title and still managed to make things worse.

Now he’s technically my peer but continues acting as “VP.” If I need pricing beyond my authority, I still have to go through him. At the same time, he’s chasing new business some of it from competitors. He is doing this with a massive quota and zero book of business. Hitting it would be heroic in any economy, let alone during widespread spending cuts.

The demotion was clearly a lifeboat. After 15 years with the company, 10 in sales and 5 as a manager they’re giving him a few months to land something while he covers basic responsibilities until he’s replaced.

What’s most frustrating is that he genuinely believes he can hit the number. The accounts he’s bragging about are unrealistic at best. One hasn’t worked with us in four years and is blacklisted after nonpayment and litigation yet he’s claiming it will close a deal worth 1/3 of his quota within weeks. Two others are bankrupt one fully closed and another currently liquidating assets. Literally bragging to us about how he is going to "reel them in".
 
CheapSuitG said:
The demotion was clearly a lifeboat. After 15 years with the company, 10 in sales and 5 as a manager they’re giving him a few months to land something while he covers basic responsibilities until he’s replaced.
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Make some popcorn and watch the movie, I guess. At any company, everyone is important and everyone is replaceable.

I hope it gets better for you.
 
BuddytheReow said:
Make some popcorn and watch the movie, I guess. At any company, everyone is important and everyone is replaceable.

I hope it gets better for you.
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Oh - when it was announced it took every single ounce of self control not to jump up and do the dance of joy. Luckily I faked it with the "I just heard you are getting divorced" empathy look and head nod.

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I work in tech and I switched from manager to individual contributor back in September. After a couple months I realized how close to burnout I was back then and how the switch had made my life so much easier. My mood was consistently bad, I dreaded work, I was stressed all the time, I took work home (especially management stuff) and unsurprisingly I didn’t have the energy for building or playing guitar. After the change, I am in a much better mood and have been building again. And even making music.

Before the switch I was seriously considering leaving the company but I now realize it wouldn’t have made a difference. I have come to despise the tech industry altogether, especially with this absolutely absurd push to build AI (if you guys haven’t heard of it, check out e/acc and its connection to a certain 20th century movement particularly fond of the goose step). But I am also in my mid 40s and the idea of starting over in a totally new industry living in one of the most expensive cities with two kids and with my wife not currently working is just not a viable option. So I am glad I’m back to IC and can enjoy coding while I try really hard to ignore the AI.
 
Pedal wise? Troubleshooting a duo phase and a captain bit who both need Jesus. About ready to say f’it on the phase and just order another board and salvage what bits I can.


Outside electronics? The entire passport process. I have an upcoming business trip to Netherlands, specifically Eemshaven, and honestly, I’m really not looking forward to it. The tasking is easy, and a coworker and I were chosen specifically due to skills/historical performance, but man, I really, really do NOT enjoy travel. Flights, rentals, lodging, jet lag.. all that. I am a home body who spends most of my PTO either in the woods stalking game, or at concerts.
 
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