The Corporate Word is Draining 4

[jhill7000]

Here is my situation. I’m 25 and I want to own a business so bad it hurts, I'm currently getting my masters and I'm an admin for a rapidly growing company. To everyone else I've got it pretty good, however; I hate the corporate world. I hate the egos, the hubris, and the lack of care. I completely understand that this is human nature and I will experience this on my own, but at least there I can make my own way. Don’t get me wrong it’s not like I have become a drogue 9 to 5er that exists to fill a chair. I am very active at my workplace. I have gone from help desk to administering all our routers, firewalls, and phone systems in one year, as well as increase my pay by 30%.

My issue is this: I can't do it yet. I need more experience for the kind of clients I want, I'm still in school, and my wife is in school full time (does not work) so I am the only source of income. The question I pose is: how do I stay positive about working at a place that I loathe? It is such a draining situation to be around people who do not have the overbearing drive to succeed that I do. I feel drained when I come to work.

Thanks ahead of time for your comments.

 

[flapeyre]

You need to put things in perspective. I am now 50, and 25 years ago I was in pretty much the same position. You should understand that many of your colleagues are in the same boat as you. You have to develop a thicker hide and ignore the corporate politics as much as you can. Some things can't be avoided. But don't take it personally. If you let it bother you, it will eat you up. But the answer is not "loathing", nor is it running away. The answer is pragmatism. Do the best job you can, and take others' jealousy of your accomplishments as a complement.

Feles mala! Cur cista non uteris? Stramentum novum in ea posui!

 

[sleipnir214]

It is such a draining situation to be around people who do not have the overbearing drive to succeed that I do.

First, I recommend that you get over yourself.

Sure, it is the business of 25-year-olds to act like their asses are on fire and their hair is catching. But you need to remember that no one, repeat no one, in your organization is required to use the same motivation you do or to be as motivated as you are.

I find it interesting that you used the adjective overbearing. The listing at yourdictionary.com for the word overbearing is:[ol][li]Domineering in manner; arrogant: an overbearing person. See Synonyms at dictatorial.[/li][li]Overwhelming in power or significance; predominant.[/li][/ol]



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[sleipnir214]

Sorry, hit "submit" when I meant "preview".

The reason I bring up the definition of the word is so say that I know you meant in your sentence the second sense. But I would like to ask the hypothetical question: "How many of your coworkers would first think of the first sense of the word to describe your behavior at word?"



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[BJCooperIT]

Do what I do. Put pictures of your spouse, your dog/cat, your house/car or whatever else is important in your life where you can see them at work. Look at those pictures and smile to yourself, every day, knowing why you do what you do. Remember that your corporate job pays your bills and is helping you prepare for your next step.

^{Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw}
Consultant Developer/Analyst Oracle, Forms, Reports & PL/SQL (Windows)
My website: Emu Products Plus

 

[sbudzynski]

Good Luck with the next step my friend.

Because those "drogue 9 to 5er that exists to fill a chair" seem to overtake all of our job applications.

----------

Steve Budzynski


"So, pass another round around for the kids. Who have nothing left to lose and for those souls old and sold out by the soles of my shoes"

 

[jhill7000]

Thank you for your perspectives:

flapeyre - I believe I do have a pragmatic view of my situation. While I agree that I can't want too much too quickly and have tried to temper my drive to time, I cannot accept that it is this way and I have to deal with it. However; I do have to deal with it, for now. I guess I haven't considered one thing you pointed out. That I am not alone in my ambition and if I sit and think, not of myself, I can notice a few others who seem to have it as well. Thank you for that perspective.

sleipnir214 - Yeah, I know I'm the typical 25 year old "I'm going to conqure the world" type. I'm trying my best to temper my ambition, and more importantly my expression of that ambition, to my coworkers. I realize that many do not have the energy or for whatever reason the desire as I do. I use draining as it pertains to me. I'm not annoyed at them for having the mindset that they do, they have their reasons and many may be good ones, however; I cannot help but have that effect me. I guess I need to follow flapeyre's advice and develop a tougher skin.

BJCooperIT - I wish. As the VP wants us to have a professional "Crisis center" look (I work in front of many screens that are for show) we cannot have any personal effects in our space.

To all - I learned along time ago that if I ask those who have come before me I can learn more than if I think I can do it on my own. I appreciate the advice and wisdom. I hope many more will chime in as each has their own experiance.

 

[mmorancbt]

jhill7000,

As a former corporate employee who, at the age of 15, knew I had to be independent and work for myself, and have done just that for the past 12 years, here is my take.

First, take sleipnir214's advice and get over yourself. I mean that as politely as possible. I am 100% positive there are people who have just as much drive and ambition as you – who will stay within a corporate environment. Drive and ambition show up in different ways and change over time.

With that said, I can appreciate your desire to work outside of the corporate machine. I work out of my house, get to travel to clients but not too much, make a nice living, speak at conferences, and in general get to pick the clients I like. It can be great.

The concern I have is the why you want to get out – which I believe you have probably misidentified. Your attitude towards that corporate environment must change to have the type of success you desire. You will, if you consult or develop those types of clients, be working with those very same people that you seem to convey disdain for. This is a poisonous attitude.

Instead, understand that people are where they are. Your attitude should be, how can I make a positive impact with those people and their company. This is true whether you are within the corporation or coming in from outside.

More importantly, you will deal with the same politics when you are coming in from the outside – sometimes even more so. You have to master dealing with and recognizing those politics. It is just the way things are. Your objective is to rise above them, not in haughty attitude but in impact.

As far as staying motivated, part of the secret is knowing you are moving toward an achievable objective. I explain that almost any work situation is bearable if you know it was moving forward, to a well-defined goal.

For instance: If someone asked you to dig ditches for them for the next 2 years, you wouldn’t that excited. However, if they added that at the end of that time they would pay you 5 million dollars, you’d have a slightly different attitude. The nature of the work did not change, just your recognition as to the future objective you were working toward.

Also, if you find that ditch digging deal, contact me. Tell them I’ll do it for 4 million.

Once again, do not consider this an attack because I don’t believe you have actual disdain for the people you work with. I believe you are expressing more frustration because you are young, impatient, and are catching a glimpse of what you want.

Your tasks now is to work to crystallize that vision. Also, use your time wisely in the corporate world. Make strong relationships. Keep tabs on those who leave and stay in touch with them. When you do go independent, you will find that these contacts may become your first clients.

Your ability to separate yourself in work ethic, the value of your solutions, and most important, your attitude, will make a lasting impression.

If you wish, I have several consulting life article/blogs you can read.

http://blogs.ittoolbox.com/pm/career/archives/categories/The+Consulting+Life

Several, down the list, talk about marketing and sales strategy as well as the engagement.

Good luck.

Matthew Moran (career blog and podcast below)
Career Advice with Attitude for the IT Pro

http://blogs.ittoolbox.com/pm/career

http://techcareerconsult.blogspot.com

 

[edfair]

Write up your view of what you want to do in the next step of your life. Live your life like you are going to follow through and prepare the financing and tools you will need when you get there. And the day will come.

It took 8 years for me and I still wasn't quite ready financially. But the day came and I was off and running. It helped that I was fired because it gave me some more incentive and kept me from looking back wondering if I made the right decision.

Ed Fair
Give the wrong symptoms, get the wrong solutions.

 

[jhill7000]

mmorancbt - I think you are right. I came across as disliking the people in the corporate world and not the situation. I do not disrespect or distain the people who choose to take the corporate route. I have great respect of those who succeed, no matter the avenue of that success. It is just not for me. I truly believe that success is measured by enjoyment and not money.

To succinctly put my original objective, my question is: How do I say positive and motivated in an environment that does lend itself to such emotions.

Also, I know that I am full of youthful exuberance that may come across as grating to many. However; I do not see this as something I must tame. I, even before this post, try not to spout at the mouth about my ambitions and goals to my coworkers. Gloating is not something I do. I see my enthusiasm as a good thing. There are many who do not have the energy to work a 40 hour week, spend 12 hours a week in class and many more studying and several hours a week working with troubled teens. I count that as a blessing. But please do not mistake my energy as anything other than that. As impatient as I may seem, or even may be, I do have a firm understanding that everything takes time. Nothing happens instantaneously and I am perfectly happy with my position in life. What is bothering me is that while I am content with life in general I am brought down by the environment in which I am employed.

 

[LadySlinger]

Is this your first job in the corporate world? Not all corporations are like this. My first corporate job happened to be during college and a little afterwards. I hated it...couldn't stand the fact that I wasn't allowed to listen to music, couldn't stand the fact that I had to wear a business suit, couldn't wear sandels to work etc.

As much as I couldn't stand it (I was also 22 at the time), I've brought that with me into my previous position and my current position.

One thing that helps me too: if its employees that are too pompous or mean, you will never change them. The only thing you can change is your reaction to them. If someone calls you up and talks to you like he something crawled up and died, you simply need to react differently. He expects you to respond in one manner, but you respond in another. Peoples attitudes towards you can seem different at that point.

If that doesn't work, then I would try working for another company before you make the change to be your own boss. To me it sounds like your goal for your own business isn't really because you have a great idea for a successful business...it just sounds like you need to have an attitude towards working with others.

 

[mmorancbt]

I understand you more than you know. However, you are not brought down by the environment - only your reaction to it.

If you really want to be "in control" of your life, you need to drop the idea that X caused this reaction in you. Physcial challenges an exception - for instance, if you are in an accident, you might be injured. The injury is real, your reaction and attitude towards it is yours and yours alone.

With that said, staying positive is a choice to focus on those things that are positive, work to change those things you are capable of changing, and controlling your reaction to those things that you cannot.

Also, as you create a vision - not an "I need this immediately" - for your future, you will be less likely to be impacted by the current circumstances.

I am reading Ben Franklin: America's Original Entrepreneur - a modern language and annotated version of his autobiography. I recommend you get it from the library. He was the epitomy of young and ambitious. There is a lot to learn from how he deal with people and adversity.

Good luck.

Matthew Moran (career blog and podcast below)
Career Advice with Attitude for the IT Pro

http://blogs.ittoolbox.com/pm/career

http://techcareerconsult.blogspot.com

 

[grande]

Whenever I hear the word "adversity," I think of Joe's cereal when he won the Paralympics. "Stays Crunchy In The Face of Adversity."

-------------------------
Just call me Captain Awesome.

 

[macleod1021]

I recommend reading the book "The way of the Peaceful Warrior" by Dan Millman. It's a great book that will help you put things in perspective. From the sound of mmorancbt's post, I'd bet he's read it or something similar to it.

 

[lespaul]

Matthew's read EVERYthing! And if he hasn't read about the subject, I bet he's written something on it!

Have a star for another great post!

Leslie

 

[jhill7000]

LadySlinger - You are correct this is my first "true" corporate job. However; there are a few things that bother me about the statement that I just need to change jobs. I love my boss, he's a great guy, we get along well. I like his boss, he's also a fun. The other guys on the team are great, heck even the executives are, for the most part, good guys. Except for a select few I do not have an issue with anybody who is employed at this company. As to comment about why I want to go into business, (as all entrepreneurs do) I do believe I have a very good business model. I am not inherently a people person, but I have developed my skills to the extent that you couldn’t tell. I do enjoy working with people, when they enjoy working.

mmorancbt – “you are not brought down by the environment - only your reaction to it.” -- I think that sums it up. Going off what you said, I feel as if I am just reacting to the negatives. There are quite a few positives to my current situation. However; I swear my ADHD as a kid is popping back up because if I don’t keep going, keep active, keep learning I feel as if I am not living up to potential.

Again thank you, I think you summed up how I’m feeling and more importantly, WHY.

 

[mmorancbt]

Actually, I have perused it at the library and it is on my current reading list. My list is, unfortunately, growing faster than my ability to get through it.

I am supposed to take a sabbatical (time off) in a few months and spend a week or so in the mountains. If that happens, that might be a time for me to get to it.

Lespaul, thanks for noticing that I read a lot. I always tell people that I have only a limited number of good ideas - therefore, I read a lot of other people's ideas so I don't waste mine coming up with something someone else has already thought of.

jhill7000, ADHD. My affliction exactly. Of course, I frame it as a competitive advantage.

http://www.laughterandtears.com/default.asp?c=articles/bamd

LaughterandTears.com is, unfortunately, one of the current casualties of too much work, too many ideas, and so on. However, both my wife and I have it as an item to revisit in the next 3 months.

Later.

Matthew Moran (career blog and podcast below)
Career Advice with Attitude for the IT Pro

http://blogs.ittoolbox.com/pm/career

http://techcareerconsult.blogspot.com

 

[chiph]

I'm coming to this thread late, but I have to agree with everything that Matthew has said.

Just because the company has a problem, doesn't mean that it's *your* problem. Sure, you try and solve it when you're "on the clock", but afterwards, your time is your own.

If you find that you still have a lot of energy left over at the end of the day -- start your own business. Trust me, it'll suck up any time you give it.

Chip H.


____________________________________________________________________
If you want to get the best response to a question, please read FAQ222-2244 first

 

[BoxHead]

Another late entry...

jhill7000, When I was 25, I was shutting down the theater company I opened and starting my home remodeling business. I was 39 before I went to work for a big corporation so I can suggest from a different point of view: Learn Everything You Can!

Big corporations don't just happen. Whether you like the environment or not, you're sitting in the middle of a 'successful business blueprint'. Take notes. You don't have to mimic everything you see but take the lousy stuff with a grain of salt and focus on what makes the organization work.

What leadership philosophy allowed the corporation to grow? What types of people were required? What types of people were required to leave?

Start a leadership journal and write down what qualities make for effective leaders. Study how your bosses deal differently with different people in different situations. Notice how some people only perform when there's an outside sense of urgency and how others will climb any mountain for the recognition they get. Try to figure out why that is. (Don't take this journal in to work with you.)

Your corporation probably has entire departments to deal with things like invoicing and insurance and payroll and taxes and marketing and pricing and hiring and safety and tardiness and light bulbs and office supplies and expense reports and ALL of the little things you'll have to deal with yourself when you own your own business.

Large corporations "swim with the sharks". Learn how yours manages to do that. You'll have plenty of time to deal with the 'piranha' when you're on your own.


John





Life is short.
Build something.

 

[Dollie]

Large corporations "swim with the sharks". Learn how yours manages to do that. You'll have plenty of time to deal with the 'piranha' when you're on your own.

That's a great analogy to use. It's one thing to learn how to "swim with the sharks", and it's something else to "jump the shark."

Learning to tell the difference between the two makes a difference in future sucesses.