How many of you guys are happy in what you do, and go home with a real sense of value and worth ?

I don't know what I would do if I didn't like what I do.

Sure I like what i do. It beats the alternative.

I love what I do, but sometimes not where I am doing it.:bonk:

I like what I do. I have to put up fair amount of BS, but I'm sure most of us do.
Mooser

I would have to say that I don't find great satisfaction in my work. This has more to do with the corporate culture of the organization than it does the field of Quality.

Right now my job isn't the worse one I've had (in the Quality profession), but it still lacks a good bit to be desired. I think my biggest gripe is lack of commitment/support to a real quality program. There is, what I consider, a lot of lip service, some half-@ss measures and some dog & pony stuff, but when it comes to implementation of a real quality initiative (like QFD for example), I get, "Oh, that's a great idea, but we're not ready to do that just yet." Yeah, yeah... I'll be worm dirt before they (upper management) ever gets their eyes checked and can focus on something beyond the bottom line for this quarter. :frust:

Thanks for the opportunity to vent.... :ko:

Cheers!

This may sound crazy, but I LOVE what I do, I love where I do it, and I even am quite satisfied with my pay! Sometimes I almost feel guilty getting a paycheck! I especially love it when a company I am working with “gets it”!

Like almost everybody, I like what I do. I just don't like anybody else. Think that's a problem? They do not share my enthusiasm, nor I their's. What we Quality Geeks do is a game to the uninformed. So. we play the game! :confused: :ko: :smokin:

Sam's got it wrong. If the alternative was playing golf, drinking beer and chasing skirts...................

Today I was delighted. I actually had a CEO/owner spend 1 on 1 time about capability studies, UNDERSTANDING X-bar and R charts (I know because of the questions asked), not just "plug the numbers in and get them their chart." If it sounds too good to be true, thats how I felt.

Tomorrow I'll get the "just do it for me so it passes an audit" group.

But - compare what I do now to working at large corporation that I left. I'm delighted with what I do. Flex hours, meet lots of people, etc. ONLY thing I miss from the previous life is the coworkers and social aspect and a little bit about keeping up with the trends in the industry. Good thing I have new friends at the cove!

Now, if I become independently wealthy, I'll be drinking beer and playing golf with Aussie Bloke!

Good thread Greenaway

I voted for sticking with it.

Like Michael T I get frustrated with a lot of the senior brass for throwing words and platitudes around but making no real effort to understand anything.
I get delighted when I see the light bulb go on over the head of one of my co-workers when they 'get-it'.
I love the enthusiasim and helpfullness of the 'quality' community and this group in particular. Everyone is so willing to share, a vast change from my last gig.
But what I really love and the reason I'm sticking with it for now is my wife, her pregnant tummy, and our goal of moving to and running a country guesthouse late this year.
Oh and then I get to be a consultant and have a veiw out of my office like Marc :D

Interesting result so far. I am amazed that so many actually love what they do.

I find it quite frustrating that I seem to continually go over the same old ground. It seems that people only get a certain basic level of knowledge which needs to be continually maintained. An example would be constantly reminding people of the necessity to identify root cause when investigation non-conformity.

The lip service and appearance of doing things correctly also winds me up. For example where FMEA is done because it is a QS9000 requirement, but it is done once (and very poorly) and never revisited or actually used for any planning purpose.

Or where audits are done 'for the record' and are completely worthless.

etc, etc

My guess is that the self employed consultants are answering in the top two. Quality Managers are answering the middle two, and the poor sods that actually try to implement all this stuff answer the last one.

MG,

I'm the 'poor sods that actually try to implement all this stuff answer the last one'

and I voted that I love my job.

Always have and always will b/c of the challenge.

Despite the gripes that fellow covers have had to put up with from me, I do love it really!

I have to agree with ISOGUY, love what I am doing just not always where I am doing it.

Originally posted by M Greenaway
Interesting result so far. I am amazed that so many actually love what they do.
My guess is that the self employed consultants are answering in the top two. Quality Managers are answering the middle two, and the poor sods that actually try to implement all this stuff answer the last one.

I'm one the middle two. I just wish I had some poor sod to do the implementation for me!:ko: :smokin:

You're right Energy. Most of the places I'm at now, the Quality manager and poor sods are one in the same. Where I came from, I was Poor Sod and boss was Happy QM.

Originally posted by M Greenaway
I find it quite frustrating that I seem to continually go over the same old ground. It seems that people only get a certain basic level of knowledge which needs to be continually maintained. An example would be constantly reminding people of the necessity to identify root cause when investigation non-conformity.


I think what you are talking about is "The Peter Principle" - we all rise to the level of our incompetency.

It can be very frustrating when you can't seem to get beyond the basics, but some folk just don't get it. I find that the higher you go in a typical organization, the harder it is for the person to understand the principles behind a quality management system. It takes a lot of work to get them to understand that ISO should be used to improve the business overall, not just lessen the number of defective parts. Just keep plugging away, when it happens it'll make you feel great.

p.s. I love my job, the people I work with and the oportunities I have to change things. I do sometimes get frustrated by individuals, but overall I am a happy camper. Of course, by definition you have to be insane to do what we do, right?;)

Originally posted by Kevin Mader
This has more to do with the corporate culture of the organization than it does the field of Quality.
Coming from a region where Quality is not a major part of corporate culture around, I can understand how frustrating it can be. I dont say I want to begin a quality revolution or anything, but I try to do my bit and enjoy it!
Originally posted by Laura M
I actually had a CEO/owner spend 1 on 1 time about capability studies, UNDERSTANDING X-bar and R charts
I envy you, Laura M.;) Miracles never cease, do they?

-Atul.

Everything ain't comin' up roses here. It looks like I may be leaving the consulting and possibly the ISO business altogether. Everything is so slow that I'm checking into 8X5 jobs in human resources and management. I have an interview today in Rancho Cucamonga and I don't even know what the job is. I've sent out so much stuff on Monster and Headhunter and all those other sites I've lost track. In this area the single principal company isn't going to hack it.:(

I'm one of the poor sods trying to implement things, and I voted for the second choice. Overall, I really like what I do. However, sometimes it seems that I run in circles and just don't get any measurable results from my efforts. Those are the bad days. Looking back at the overall "big picture" is the one way I can see that I do make a difference and that things are slowly, but steadily getting better.

I'll take a 4. How else should one feel after 24 years of fighting the system only to succeed and proving that you can make a difference and you actually are not blowing smoke out your butt to finally being told what you do doesn't fit the current plans of the corporation.

When the package is on the table and I've signed it I'll then take a number 1. For only then will this quality BS be behind me and I'll be sitting in my boat, drinking a cold one, waiting for a fish to jerk my bobber instead of some management idiot who's clueless.


Is there a number 5 or 6?

...and here's another poor sod...

I'm reasonably ok with what I do and whether my days are good or bad depends a lot on the responce I get from our organisation. I have chosen my line of work because I want to do it.

It's extremly important to me to be able to feel that I make a difference. My interest in improvement work was triggered by my very first job after school. It just so happened that the company in question was a genuine rats nest where no one had a clue about quality (Yes, I left before they went bankrupt). That factor decided my career to this day.

I think the question in this thread was a good one: It *is* important to know why you do what you do and if you're happy with it.

/Claes

Surprising number of good days over the past several years when I feel I actually get some associates to understand some of the basics of quality and even apply them from time to time.

Suspect it may be from a changed attitude. I no longer aim for immediate results. And I spend a lot more time listening rather than pushing the latest quality doodad. (I am a CQE, BlackBelt, Kaizen trainer, team facilitator, et al.)

No great epiphany occurred, it just sort of happened.

I have come to love my job and look foward, even at age 58, to coming in each day to see what is going to happen.

Ben

Originally posted by BRoyal
Surprising number of good days over the past several years when I feel I actually get some associates to understand some of the basics of quality and even apply them from time to time.

Suspect it may be from a changed attitude. I no longer aim for immediate results. And I spend a lot more time listening rather than pushing the latest quality doodad. (I am a CQE, BlackBelt, Kaizen trainer, team facilitator, et al.)

No great epiphany occurred, it just sort of happened.

I have come to love my job and look foward, even at age 58, to coming in each day to see what is going to happen.

Ben

Ben,

Could be the advancing years that makes us see things in a different light.:vfunny: I, too, will be 59 in April. Time has a way of making things not seem so bad.:smokin:

58-59 HOLY COW!!!:eek:

:vfunny:

Originally posted by ISO GUY
58-59 HOLY COW!!!:eek:
:vfunny:

Ah, Youth! It's a pity that is wasted on the young! See you soon.:biglaugh:
:ko: :smokin:

Energy,

You don't look a day over 60, did you airbrush your picture.

I too am one of the people that never thought they would be in the quality field. I knew I was in trouble when I picked up my first "ruler".

While not my first choice, I am , as the people here at the cove, good at what I do and that gives me job satisfaction. I don't know how many people have taken me aside and said they were glad they didn't have my job.

But hey, I like it, although it does help to have a warped and sometimes sadistic sense of humor.

I answered I have good days and bad. If you had asked about a year ago I'd said H*** NO I HATE IT!

Given now I actually have to opportunity to think, do and get credit for my work......IT'S GREAT! But, as everyone does, you still have good days and bad. I think that is a given with any job you do. When I have them bad days, I go home and really think what it "could" be like and realize I have it made and should be thankful.

Originally posted by Al Dyer
Energy,

You don't look a day over 60, did you airbrush your picture.

I too am one of the people that never thought they would be in the quality field. I knew I was in trouble when I picked up my first "ruler".

While not my first choice, I am , as the people here at the cove, good at what I do and that gives me job satisfaction. I don't know how many people have taken me aside and said they were glad they didn't have my face. :vfunny:

But hey, I like it, although it does help to have a warped and sometimes sadistic sense of humor.

Claes,

It is an important factor: liking what one does. Why else do it?

I love working in Quality. I especially enjoy it when I do what I love for/with those who appreciate what I do. In those folks, I find Joy in Work. In the others, I find the reverse. The climate in an organization can change with the tide, so when it does, find a new one. You did and so will I.

Regards,

Kevin

Interesting poll and probably one of the most important questions that can be asked. (By the way, I'm also one of those 59 year old people; there seem to be a few of us at the Cove).

Camus said "Without work all life goes rotten". In the sense of having something that exercises our minds and bodies in a creative and constructive way, I believe that is true. I also believe that the lack of that ability in the work place today (a generalization) is what causes many people to be dissatisfied. I also believe that for a number of reasons many people are picking up more responsibilities (wearing more hats) and working longer hours to the point that they are not able to live a well-rounded life - work becomes overwhelming.

In an ideal world, our work would complement who we are, what we believe in, how we interface with others. We would be the same at work as we are at home or at play. Too many jobs today force us to deny our basic selves and conform to the demands of the organization.

Sorry to ramble on. I'm tired.

John,

Let me recommend two books that you might find interesting and insightful. They are truly along the lines of your comments.

Artful Work by Dick Richards
The 5th Discipline by Peter Senge

These two books mirror your comments and go into great length to explain the causes for why we are in the mess (or not) we are in.

Regards,

Kevin

p.s. Go Sox!!!!!

I love the Cove! It is one of the few places where there are people older than I!!!!

Just jokin, guys, no offense, we've all gotta get old sometime, I'm just glad you are getting there first!


Have a good weekend.

Kevin, thank you for the advice. I'm heading to Wells, Maine for the long weekend. I intend to walk the beach, drink martinis and read deep books. I'll pick up one of your recommendations at least. Go Sox!

SteelMaiden, thank you for the laugh. I appreciate it. It's amazing how much faster the journey is on this end than it was in the beginning.

John,

Artful Work can be read in a three or four hours. Not bad if your drinking spirits either.

Kev

SteelMaiden,

I see you hide your birth year like me. My reason was because folks wouldn't pay attention to a 'kid' like me. This way, they thought I was older than I really was. Dick Clark aint got nothin on me!!!:biglaugh:

Kev

Originally posted by Kevin Mader

SteelMaiden,
I see you hide your birth year like me. My reason was because folks wouldn't pay attention to a 'kid' like me. This way, they thought I was older than I really was. Dick Clark aint got nothin on me!!!:biglaugh:
Kev

Horse Cockey.

You are one of the prominent Moderators in the Cove. Your picture with that Choir Boy appeal shows your age, unless you are practicing deception. And, that's not your style. The one thing I learned here is that unless you tell your age, nobody cares. And even if they did, who cares? It's all about content. Your posts are thought provoking and well thought out. If you are looking for a wet eye here, forget it. You are formidable, accurate and pretty savvy for those tender years. Everybody pays attention. Now wipe those deer like eyes and show us some sh*t.:ko: :smokin:

energy,

Thanks for the kind words. I must admit that here at the Cove, I have never felt like folks didn't pay attention to me because of my age. Actually, until you posted my first avitar for me, nobody had a clue (I think). However, during my short Quality Career, I can say that I have been overlooked because of my age/appearance or discounted because I couldn't have 'experience' enough. I look younger than I am (I got carded once for Lottery Tickets at age 24). Advantages: yes. Disadvantages: yes. I suppose that I hadn't originally posted my birthyear as part of my own paradigm paralysis. Some habits are unconscious to me I suppose.

I'll give you 'ole timers' this: wisdom is stongly correlated to age. I have learned alot from you all. I am glad that we have a mix here at the Cove! You all have been very generous to me, young and old!:bigwave:

Kevin

Ah, happiness. The utopia we all seek at work...daydream about...Then your happy thoughts are shattered with a comment that makes you tense up and reply with an angry tone!

How many times does that happen a week? How many times does the comment stem from a problem that goes unresolved year after year, project after project, time and time again? Soon, most do not recognize the problem. It is taken to be the way it is. My mentor once told me this is the "caretakers syndrome".

My dissatisfaction is not my work. I enjoy what I do. My dissatisfaction lies in the "credability" that is given to my suggestions or comments by others on improving the company's position. I have theory, they do not. I pursue learning, they pursue ignorance. I embed my values in all I do, their values go to bed with profits.

There comes a (or many) crossroad(s) in ones career when we must recognize and evaluate the skill sets and learning we have embraced in our jobs. For me, when the learning is gone, the challenge no longer exists, the intrinsic motivation dries up. I am approaching the crossroad at full speed.

Hi guys, I don't really "hide" my birth year...I just found long ago that usually people don't belive me when I tell them my age anyway. I really don't feel too much older than I did when I was in my twenties, my philosophy is that some folks are old at 20, and some of us will be young at 90.

Well said, SteelMaiden. For me, I will suffer from the Peter Pan Complex and never grow up!!

Kev

My idea of "happy at what I do": sleeping until a reasonable hour because I can go into work whenever I want to.......going into work at an unreasonably early hour because I want to.

I'm happiest when I'm busiest; I'm happiest when I'm helping people; I'm a get-it-done-now kind of person who chews through tasks in a fifth of the time others would take.

I left my last job because there wasn't enough to do. I'm finding myself struggling to keep busy here too. It's a constant waiting waiting waiting on others to do their parts. So I fill my time writing boring procedures that we don't really need (ug, I'm doing one for Management Review now - what kind of procedure do you need to tell people to sit around a conference table and discuss things?? But I have to do something to keep busy...) There are many many people here who seem to have no problem with all of their spare time and they just cruise slowly through the day.

When I get up in the morning, it's a struggle to feel excited about another day at the office.

Lucinda,

I too struggle with all the "free" time on my hands. I like what I do, however I do get really frustrated during the day trying to find something to occupy my time. When your with such a small company of 35 employees you can only write so many procedures and your audits usually don't take too much of your time either. If you have any advise on things to keep you busy I'd be glad to hear them.

Jamie :bigwave:

Cruising the internet; checking this forum over and over and over; walking around the shop; refilling your water bottle; staring into space like you're thinking; drawing little diagrams in Visio; reading and re-reading and finetuning the procedures you've written already; writing cutesy things for the bulletin board Quality Corner; trying to think of what else you could possible write; re-doing all your Word forms into Excel; reading old email; reading instruction manuals for Adobe and Outlook; playing around with all the loaded software programs to learn what they can do ( click here, click there..)....And it never hurts to build training programs for how to introduce people to the new procedures/processes.

and I make lists. I try to come up with some new projects for myself and put them onto lists. Of course I wipe the lists out in no time, but at least I have a visual that I actually did do something today.

Don't get the impression that I'm a slackard - it's just that I have whipped out everything I possibly can do on my own and now it's a matter of waiting until other people do their parts (sometimes I've even done it for them - bad precedent I know).

Everytime I try to wiggle myself into some extra duties like updating our Website or updating the PO log, my boss tells people that I don't have time for it.:( I wish that were the case. We just don't need a fulltime Quality Manager yet. And maybe never will, unless I take over the Health and Safety bit also. THAT is what I need to aspire to....our H&S Mgr. would be more than happy to give it up I think because he does have other regular duties.

I have a couple small things to do and I'm eeking them out as far as I can, and then I'll go wander into a department and say "HEY!" and see if I can make some more work for myself.

Jamie,

Not working full time anymore, I forgot about the "slow times." My last few years at it were anything but slow. However, before that, I enjoyed "sticking my nose in." Maybe harder at a small shop, depending on the products, but I did non-audit audits. Just poked around "show me what you're doing" stuff.

Lucinda's list was pretty good too. Finding a new trick in MS word or excel was pretty fun.

Anybody still have the instructions for the "game" in excel? I think it was for excel '97. Go to cell II35 (or something ) type in certain key strokes and the cell opened up into a game like space scene. It was really really cool. I guess an MS employee was bored one day too. If anyone has those instructions hanging around, I'd sure like to lay my hands on them again.

Laura

Here are a couple for you to start with. If you get bored with these, go to http://www.eeggs.com for some more :)

For Excel 2000 -
Car racing game:
Boot Excel 2000
Under file menu, do 'Save as Web Page'.
Say 'Publish Sheet' and 'Add Interactivity'
Save to some htm page on your drive.
Load the htm page with IE. You should have Excel in the middle of the page.
Scroll to row 2000, column WC. Select row 2000, and tab so that WC is the active column.
Hold down Shift+Crtl+Alt and click the Office logo in the upper-left.
If you have DirectX, you will be playing what looks like spy hunter. Use the arrow keys to drive, space to fire, O to drop oil slicks, and when it gets dark, use H for your headlights.

For those of you still using Excel 97, and haven't yet found its Easter Egg, try this and you will get a flight simulator:

Open a new workbook
Press F5
Enter X97:L97 and press Enter
Press Tab once, to move to column M
Hold Control and Shift, then right-click the Chart Wizard icon on the Standard toolbar


Have fun

Dave

How To Keep A Healthy Level Of Insanity

1. At lunch time, sit in your parked car with sunglasses on and point a
hair dryer at passing cars. See if they slow down.

2. Page yourself over the intercom. Don't disguise your voice.

3. Every time someone asks you to do something, ask if they want fries with
that.

4. Put your garbage can on your desk and label it "in"

5. Put decaf in the coffee maker for 3 weeks. Once everyone has Gotten
over their caffeine addictions, switch to espresso.

6. In the memo field of all your checks, write "for sexual favors".

7. Finish all your sentences with "in accordance with the prophecy."

8. Dont use any punctuation marks

9. As often as possible, skip rather than walk.

10. Ask people what sex they are. Laugh hysterically after they answer.

11. Specify that your drive-through order is "to go".

12. Sing along at the opera.

13. Go to a poetry recital and ask why the poems don't rhyme.

14. Put mosquito netting around your work area. Play a tape of jungle
sounds all day.

15. Five days in advance, tell your friends you can't attend their party
because you're not in the mood.

16. Have your coworkers address you by your wrestling name, Rock Hard Kim.

17. When the money comes out the ATM, scream "I won!", "I won!" "3rd time
this week!!!!!"

18. When leaving the zoo, start running towards the parking lot, yelling
"run for your lives, they're loose!!"

Laura-

I've been working real hard on plans for getting away from full-time work this year myself. HOWEVER, after reading your list and reflecting on the state of mind it took to create it, I'm rethinking those plans.

On the other hand, maybe I'd be a perfect fit.

Thanks for the insight.

Alf

Originally posted by Laura M
How To Keep A Healthy Level Of Insanity

11. Specify that your drive-through order is "to go".



Actually, as scary as it may seem, I went through a drive through at one of the fast food joints with my kids a few weeks ago and the person taking the orders asked "Is that to go?" I just replied, "No, I think we'll just park right outside the second window and eat it here."

Unfortunately, the poor Q@#$#% was too dumb to realize that I was being sarcastic. He actually told me that it was against company policy to allow customers to park and eat in the pick-up lane.

OF COURSE IT'S TO GO, $__t for brains!:frust: :bonk: :ko: :(

Have a good day, maybe I'm just getting crabby in my old age?:p

As silly as #2 sounds - we have auto-paging on our phone system. So... you actually page yourself with a pre-recorded page....

:vfunny: :biglaugh: :smokin:

I now have 4 more ways to try and keep my sanity.

The other 14 were getting a little boring. :D

Once when I was placing my order at a local fastfood joint, the cashier asked me if it was here or to go. I said, "For here." She proceeded to ask me, "Would you like a tray with that?" Well, between my buddy and I, we ordered 5 hamburgs, 2 fries, and 2 drinks. I looked at my buddy who stared back at me with a bewildered look, then turned to the cashier and said, "Nah, that's alright! I'll just juggle everything back to our table!"

Well, it was funny at the time, almost as funny as using the "invisible soap"!!!

Kev

Dave-

The Flight Simulator Easter Egg is great, but it seems to be a one shot deal. Even after re-booting I couldn't get it to come up again. Any idea if there's a workaround?

Alf

Just testing...1-2-3.

Nope. My avatar still doesn't show. Marc must have installed some kind of 'in good taste' filter somewhere.

Not fair.

Alf

Originally posted by Alf Gulford
Laura-

I've been working real hard on plans for getting away from full-time work this year myself. HOWEVER, after reading your list and reflecting on the state of mind it took to create it, I'm rethinking those plans.

On the other hand, maybe I'd be a perfect fit.

Thanks for the insight.

Alf

You don't think I made those up, do you? I'm not nearly that clever, or bored. My full time work was 60 hours per week. Now I'm down to a reasonable 30-40, with time to stop and smell the roses. That's what's important.


SteelMaiden - do you suppose that's why that person is doing fast food? I always ask for "a cup of Black coffee" and 9 out of 10 get asked if I want cream or sugar.
:bonk: :rolleyes:

Laura-

30 or 40 hours a week?!

I was thinking more along the lines of summers in Montana, winters in Arizona, and passing out shopping carts at Wal-Mart when the mood struck me.

When I say early retirement, I mean early retirement.

Alf

Alf,

I dream of early retirement! I struggle now trying to ensure I'm financially able to retire at all.

Jamie

Originally posted by Laura M

- do you suppose that's why that person is doing fast food? I always ask for "a cup of Black coffee" and 9 out of 10 get asked if I want cream or sugar.
:bonk: :rolleyes:

Lord save us, they can't be that dumb naturally can they?...kind of like the KISS thing and offending stupid people that, I think it was db, brought up somewhere!!

I guess that is why you should never swim in the shallow end of the gene pool. Have a good one!

Jamie-

Right now it's all talk. You'll notice that I'm still here, checking out the discussions and trying to do a better job.

But one of these days... (and I'm just kidding about WalMart. That really would make me crazy)

Anyway, best of luck to all of us.

Alf

Alf,

My retirement dream......Moving out west!!! I've never been, but look forward to it! Hopefully, my planning will one day pay off.

Jamie

I think I will get a job when I would like to retire. Then I could work part time until I'm 70. The mts. of Asheville, NC sounds good to me. When I'm not working I'll enjoy the mts. or go east to the shore. Of course it would help to have a job I like too.

Mooser:vfunny:

It seems we have a lot of Asheville NC fans in the forum. I live so close, but have never been there. I think I need to take a trip and see what all the fuss is about!

Jamie

Originally posted by SteelMaiden

Unfortunately, the poor Q@#$#% was too dumb to realize that I was being sarcastic. He actually told me that it was against company policy to allow customers to park and eat in the pick-up lane.

OF COURSE IT'S TO GO, $__t for brains!:frust: :bonk: :ko: :(

Have a good day, maybe I'm just getting crabby in my old age?:p

Steel you kill me! :biglaugh: I just came across this posting and when I read yours I almost fell out of my chair laughing. Just they way you put it is a beautiful thing. Thanks I needed that onthis Friday.

Thanks ISO Guy,

That's the real me. I don't pull any punches and I'll tell ya what I think if ya make me mad!!

My kids know when I'm gettin' ready to tell someone off, they usually try to get a head start to the truck in case body parts start flying.

I tried to return a printer cartridge at Wal-mart last week. I bought the wrong size, and hubby dear opened the package. (how do you know it isn't the same if you don't take it out of the package? they didn't have the name brand, I had to get a bargain replacement) Anyway, the clerk argued with me that I couldn't bring it back, cuz I had opened the bag it was in..Not the little seal on the cartridge, mind you, just the bag.

So anyway, I finally had a line of 20 behind me and was getting nowhere. In my very hearable (I can do public speaking without a mic) voice I asked "Soooo, it is OK to buy underwear, take it home and wear it, return it for a cash refund, but I cannot return a sealed printer cartridge?" "If you will turn your head to the right, you will see a 10 foot by 20 foot sign that says, and I quote "Customer Satisfaction Guaranteed""

I got the right size cartridge. As we were walking out, my oldest son said, "Gosh Mom, that went well. You didn't treat her as badly as the guy at the truck dealership.":rolleyes:

I'm so proud of my kids, they are learning the fine art of sarcasm!!!:frust:

Wasn't it Jeff Foxworthy who, in his comedy routine, was saying that stupid people should have signs to tell everyone else they are stupid?

Like the guy at the gas station that asks, "Tire go flat?" when you pull in with a flat tire. Nope... the other three just swelled right up on me... Here's yer sign. :vfunny:

Steel... you and my wife would get along famously. She also has a viscous sense of humor and is not afraid to use it on the poor unsuspecting slob who just can't seem to get out of his/her cranial-rectum inversion.

We were at a rest area along the turn pike, and Noelle wanted some milk for the yung'un. She asked the girl behind the counter 3 times for a carton of milk, but was met with a blank stare. Finally, in a very loud voice she said, "If you don't understand English I can try 3 other languages - maybe you will understand one of those?" Finally, having the dipsh*t's undivided attention, Noelle got her milk. As she was leaving she said something about English being the girl's only language and being functionally illiterate in her only language... :o I was just whistling and making my merry way to the car... :smokin:

Is it me or has the service indusry gone to SH!% or do we expect to much. It seems almost every place you go today you have have inconsiderate boobs, morons, etc.. I have gone to one of the grocery stores in the town I live and have been nearly killed or maimed numerous times. As an example I was doing my shopping and if I didn't look up when I did I would have been squished by an employee using some type of cherry picker platform thing. He was backing up no bell not watching and when I said excuse me he just kept going on his merry way no apology nothing. I wanted to climb up that contraption he was on and slap some sense into him. Like I said before is it the service industry that's at fault or do we as customers expect to much in wanting to be treated like a human being.

No, you do not expect too much. Unfortunately, there are way too many people out there who are unwilling to work at the "lower end" of the job market. I interviewed a college kid who told me that he really didn't think he wanted the technical job we had open because he went to school to become a manager. Yeah right, we make it a practice to hire some snot nosed kid off the street to come in here and take over the general managers job instead of moving up one of our own who also went to college, then started at the tech job before becoming a supervisor, dept manager, and so forth up the line and has been with us 15 to 20 years. GIVE ME A BREAK!

Then there are the applicants who, if they can get a job at the top, are willing to give up their welfare, disability, etc., etc., but only if we can guarantee that they get one of the jobs that's paying 50,000 or more. Do these people really think that we got where we are by walking in the door one day unanounced, sitting down at the first empty desk and proclaiming ourselves the new boss?

Maybe it is the area, but I have never met such a bunch of spoiled and lazy kids as I have since we moved here. My kids could stack hay by the time they were 8 or 9. They know what real work is, now that we aren't farming anymore, they don't complain about doing dishes or taking out the trash. They know that some jobs in life are hard, some are boring, and some are just plain unglamerous, but any job that needs to be done needs to be done right.

WOW! talk about soapbox, maybe we should have a contest?

4 of us went to a not so fast food place (Tim H) for lunch the other day. The girl at the counter look at us and in a not so polite voice said "the 4 of you aren't here for lunch are you?". I said well its noon, I'm on my lunch break sooooo no I think we'll do a dramatic reading of your menu as a barber shop quartet. I got the stink eye :mad: and she walked away. When we did get waited on by the asst. manager I asked for one of the specials, I think it was a ham sandwich with soup. They we're out of ham, so I changed, then I ordered beef & barley soup, they were out of that. I did get a lunch and when we sat down to eat my friend looked up and watched one of the girls fixing the sandwiches. He got up picked up his tray and threw it all away. Didn't take a bite. The girl fixing the sandwiches was refilling the mayonaise squeeze bottle and the stuff that ran down the side she wiped up with her hand (no gloves) and wiped it on the top of the squeeze bottle so it went in. Almost like that one ad where she wipes it on the table! Needless to say we haven't returned.

Unfortunately, I think a great majority of the problems everyone is experiencing is apathy mixed with a heavy dose of unrealistic expectation.

In today's society there is a very strong sense of entitlement that I just don't understand. Too many people seem to think that life owes them something. My youngest (21 years old) brother is like this. I don't get it. My father did nothing different in raising him than he did raising me and my younger (36 years old) brother. Yet, this kid seems to think that society owes him something, that he doesn't have to work for anything, that if his bills don't get payed - so what... Good gods!!! :frust: While I think that the protestant work ethic is pretty warped (how many of us are working 50+ hours a week?) at least we understand the value of honest work.

Apapthy is the other parasite eating away at the fabric of our society. Too many people just don't give a damn and way too many younger people have no CLUE as to world events or the potential impact on our lives. I asked my class a few weeks ago how many read the newspaper on a daily basis. Out of 8 students, no one read it daily. Watched national news - 1 student. Listened to NPR or the like, no one... How are they every going to develop their critical thinking and analytical skills if they don't know what is going on in the world around them. :confused: It's pathetic. They almost got me to the point of utter frustration last night. They got back their 2nd test. Again, they failed to read and hence failed to do well on the test. They whined and grumbled about how hard the test was and that I didn't cover those questions in class. I told them again that I don't teach to the test - it is incumbent upon them to read the material and be able to make the cognitive connection between reading something and actually having to apply the concept. No free rides. Needless to say, I'm not their friend right now. :rolleyes:

Some day I may roll over in apathy from the sheer frustration of it all... but not today... :vfunny: Wasn't it Brett Butler who was the "Butthead Avenger"? I think I'll take her approach... :ko:

Everyone have a good weekend...

If quality people love what they do, why do they never live to retirement. They either die young or escape:bigwave:

tarheel said:

If quality people love what they do, why do they never live to retirement. They either die young or escape:bigwave:

My opinion... FWIW...

Quality is either a "love it" or "hate it" profession. Unfortunately, for those of us who love it, we pour our hearts and souls into it - typically with little reward and little chance for advancement beyond QA Manager (how many CEO's, COO's, etc. came from the Quality Department?). What keeps us going is the light that clicks on in someone every once in a while - you know... the "I get it" light.

You can only beat a dog so long before he either bites or runs away.

Quality ain't easy and ya gotta bit a sick puppy to do it... If you don't believe me - check out the Roadkill or Humor threads in the Odds & Ends section... :biglaugh: :smokin:

Have a good weekend... Freedom at last.... :bigwave:

You can only beat a dog so long before he either bites or runs away.

Michael, sometimes you kill me! So I guess the cove is where all of us "sick puppies" so to lick our wounds and cry in each others dog dish!:vfunny:

ISO GUY said:

Is it me or has the service indusry gone to SH!%

It's not you...

See http://www.cnn.com/2002/TECH/ptech/04/27/tech.supportless.ap/index.html

db said:



Michael, sometimes you kill me! So I guess the cove is where all of us "sick puppies" so to lick our wounds and cry in each others dog dish!:vfunny:

Glad to be able to make ya laugh, Dave. :biglaugh:

The Cove is where us sick puppies go who don't have therapists... :bonk: :ko:

Pass the Alpo, will ya?!? :smokin:

Ahhhh... it's Monday - another week in paradise...

I am changing my vote from "mostly okay" to HIGHLY FRUSTRATED!

At least I see I am not alone!

On the up side...getting a small business running at home, Ad Specialty items (marketing/gifts/awards) no minimum quantities - 3 week turn around from accepted quote. In process of putting together listing for mailout info. Anyone interested send an e-mail to pyservices@mindspring.com
Eileen

Sounds like a good plan Jim! Maybe I should run my other PR ideas off you? Just kidding, I've got a plan in the works, only thing holding me back now is the need for reliable steady income for the next few months. After that (expect Aug/Sept) I'm jumping in with both feet.

After I get set up I'll chat Marc up and see how he feels about that.

Good luck on your new venture. I used to be with Marden Kane, the #2 promotional advertising company in the world. You are in for a world of fun. You think quality people are nuts??? Just wait!!!

A good friend of mine owns Motivation Plaques here in Wellington. Maybe I can get the two of you together.

Send me an e-mail when you get ready. We do some promotional marketing at the trade shows. Maybe our sales group could send some business your way.

Dave

Eileen,

I do belive your decision has nothing to do with the frustration you talk about. I can tell you there is nothing more gratifying than being the master of your own destiny.

Wish you ALL THE VERY BEST in your endeavor.

Rgds,
-Atul.

Atul, you are correct. The home business has actually been the dream for a while, but put on the backburner because I enjoyed what I was doing and expected it to lead somewhere.

The current situation has acted as a catalyst to launching my business. I have the equipment needed, but have had limited 'experience' so I will be practicing the techniques and going to the training class before I officially launch on my own full time with it.

Thanks for the well wishes. I will still be here and expect to be with the company for at least a few months more.

I've heard a variety of numbers regarding the general happiness of the working stiff in america. One study claimed that less than ten percent of the work force in this country like what they do for a living... (I guess I'm one of the lucky ten percent!) Anyone have other numbers on this sort of thing?

Just an update - I am currently pissed right off !

The Cove is where us sick puppies go who don't have therapists...

Now, some of you might still be pups...us old dogs come here for the same reasons too! I just wish I had a couch to lay on while soaking everything in.




Gee Martin...take two aspirin and call us back in three weeks. If your still pissed, we might be able to help.
:smokin:

[QUOTE] Jim Wade said:
Two main branches :the physISOtherapist to handle the bodily stress ...
________________________
No doubt the therapist would have you doing ISOmetric exercises to ISOlate the cause of the pain.

(Sorry. I couldn't resist. I'm a sick puppy too.:bonk: )

Mike S.

Jim Wade said:

There you go.

Shall we work out the details over a drink or two, Mike?

See you at the ISO bar?

Do you like yours with ISO and lemon?

How about ISO songs?

Popular ones like "ISO Mummy kissing Santa Clause 4.2.4" or Madonna's "La ISO-la bonita" Or operatic: "O ISO mio!"

Gotta work!

rgds Jim
________________________
If any Cove members live or work near Jim perhaps they should look in on him. I think he's finally gone completely off the deep end. He may need that drink by IV (make it a stiff one) and a few days in a quiet, calm place where NO ONE is allowed to mention any word with the letters "I-S-O" in it.

The good news is that I'm not the nuttiest guy in the room!

Mike S.:vfunny:

Agreed. He is starting to sound like Jar-jar Binks!

I do believe I have you all topped! The license plate is really mine!:eek:

Dave, the floor is yours...please take as much time as needed...we're all here to help.


Just say you fell on your head before you ordered those...please? :D

For my car, I wanted ISO14K but someone else already had it! Can you beleive that! What kind of idiot would put that on their vehicle (other than me):bonk:

.... still pissed right off !

We know!
We know!

E Wall said:

After I get set up I'll chat Marc up and see how he feels about that.
No problem here. Just let me know what you want to do and how you want to work it. You live here and have a say.

Mickeyman said:

I've heard a variety of numbers regarding the general happiness of the working stiff in america. One study claimed that less than ten percent of the work force in this country like what they do for a living... (I guess I'm one of the lucky ten percent!) Anyone have other numbers on this sort of thing?
Let me see.... There's Roger Moore, Dilbert, etc. Yup - there are some unhappy campers about. But no - I have no numbers.

still pissed ..........

M Greenaway said:

still pissed ..........



Martin, you need to lay off the booze. You seem to be pissed all the time... :vfunny: :bigwave: :biglaugh:

Sorry... just couldn't let that one go... ;)

Cheers!

Could be right there Mikey.

Might also explain the blinding headaches, vomiting, urinating my pants, and waking up every morning with a doner kebab stuck to my face !

Ahhhh.... Martin... this does explain a lot. :biglaugh: :smokin:


I'm afraid to ask... but I gotta. What's a doner kebab?

M Greenaway said:

Just an update - I am currently pissed right off !
No change in status, I assume... :thedeal:

Small world Jim - I worked with LEO too. I was on the input side though - Customer Service.

Dave

Mike

A Doner Kebab is a lump of reconstituted meat of dubious origin that is stuck on a pole and cooked in front of a gas fire for months on end. It is then sliced and put into a pitta bread with a bit of a salad, if you wish, and then covered in a very hot chilli sauce to burn off some of the bacteria and mask the disgusting taste.

It is a popular dish over here, commonly consumed on a saturday night after a fifteen pint lager apperatiff (excuse that spelling).

Ofteh followed in the morning by the 'thruppeny bits'.

Jim

I wish I was in your shoes !!

This is the one year anniversary of my starting this position. Some days I doubted that I would make it!

I've handed out two Improvement Notes this week. The first ones we've ever written! It's essentially a Problem Report (and had originally been called that but then I thought it sounded negative and I wanted it to be used for employee suggestions for improvement as well as reporting real problems.) So I consider that a major milestone has passed. I was tired of waiting until the CA procedure was approved, and tired of waiting for the mgt. staff to sit in a training class, and decided to issue the d@rn things and deal with the managers individually until the other two things fall into place. I'm finding that great and brilliant implementation plans just don't work here and that stepping forward when the opportunity presents itself is the only way to move along.

After "discussing" it with ya'll, I walked into the Big Guy's office and told him that I wanted some projects to work on and reminded him of a pet project that he mentioned to me a year ago. He gave me two "easy" things to do and welcomed my interest in his project which we should begin any day now. Plus two other mgrs. approached me with things to work on so that makes me happy as a coon sucking an egg.

My vote (this hour) is that I'm delighted with what I do. Subject to change as soon as I run out of things to do!

Well done Lucinda - I find myself in a similar situation.

Jim - you are clearly older than your recent photo in Quality World suggests (ahem). My first intimate encounter with a computer was the ZX81 - what a piece of sh!t that was !!

M Greenaway said:

Mike

A Doner Kebab is a lump of reconstituted meat of dubious origin that is stuck on a pole and cooked in front of a gas fire for months on end. It is then sliced and put into a pitta bread with a bit of a salad, if you wish, and then covered in a very hot chilli sauce to burn off some of the bacteria and mask the disgusting taste.


MGreenway, you bring back some fond memories!! I was on a three week rugby tour to Scotland and Ireland about 7 years ago, and was introduced to the doner kabob. I can honestly say I have never tasted anything in my life. (I can also say that was the only time in my life I have been inebriated for 21 straight days!).

I have tried kabobs over here from time to time, but nothing beats the vendors in downtown Edinburgh after a night along the Royal Mile. I look forward to the day I get back there.:ko:

Dean P. said:



I can honestly say I have never tasted anything in my life.

Missing a few words here, DP? :vfunny:

NOTE: After the word 'life', please insert the following phrase:

"...as good as a kabob."

Thank you, Mike. Hope this makes more sense now!!!!

:bonk: :bonk: :bonk:

Seriously fed up today.

Even told the boss he was pissing me off, which despite what you might think from my posts, is totally against my character and something I have never done before.

I feel the same way MGreenaway.....we are going through that awful time here when every week a few more people get let go....it's at the point where everyone thinks they are next.

If anyone sees someone from HR coming there way....they run!

We did have our surveillance audit last week for TS16949, only had one minor.....and I've sent in the response......so hopefully, that makes my job a little safe....

M Greenaway said:

Seriously fed up today.

Even told the boss he was pissing me off, which despite what you might think from my posts, is totally against my character and something I have never done before.
Options:
- Take a break
- Apply brakes
- Break free!

:bigwave:

I seem to be having days very similar, however, on my end it's not them letting me go. I had a pretty big confrontation with the VP the first of the week and ended up telling her she needed to find someone else to fill the Management Representative position I couldn't do it any longer. MGreenway, same here.....I've never talked to my boss in that manner. I have to say that I'm not real happy with myself for doing it either. I guess it was one of them days where you just have had enough.

Hopefully with the holiday tomorrow, it'll give me plenty of time to calm down before next week.

Jamie:bigwave:

I LOVE WHAT I DO AT MY JOB. BUT SOME TIMES I AM AFRAED OF DOING WHAT I THINK OF I DECIDE TO DO

Good advice indeed Atul !!

Always difficult to put into practice.

I'd have to say that often times, being the Management Rep is nothing short of being sentenced to hard time. I'll bet many of us here who have worn that hat have told their boss to take it back. Unfortunately, what the boss generally hears is, "I don't want to work here anymore." Not wanting to be the grunt who helplessly walks to the slaughter time and again translates into not wanting to do your job. What a twist!!

Whip me!

Beat me!

Call me trash!!

It seems that most MR's relish vists to Mistress Vickey (or Master Dwayne) of the Leather & Chain Department.

Gluttons for punishment and pain :biglaugh:

being the Management Rep is nothing short of being sentenced to hard time

I have to agree Kevin.
When I was placed into our Ops Eng group I passed the MR hat along to the Quality Director here. After the 1st audit I was asked to take it back by very senior management, not as an ultimatum but as a request. After that, they (upper management) added a statement (even appears in the "responsibility" section of our Quality Manual) in my job description that I "provide counsel to the Company President". I enjoy debate, not arguement but debate. I think a lot of the responsibility of the MR is in issue debate. We must understand what the customer expects, what the registrar(s) expect, and what the impact on the company and processes are. But most importantly be able to communicate the implications to all parties involved. These normally don't match.

Am I happy with what I do?
I like my job - YES :D; but do I like how management responds, Not always. :rolleyes:

Management is somewhat support as long as it is going their way. I have finally broken down the barriers that ISO is our quality management system. The difficulties I face are proving the benefits of ISO versus just going through the hoops.

Sometimes I feel like I am on an island all alone - and I am so thankful I have this website to go to. It has been very valuable for me in my position to help understand the new requirements as well as new ideas on addressing issues we have.

We will be going through certification to the new standard shortly. Thanks for all your help!

;)

I'm in the position of 'contract' work so I can get involved, make the changes, evaluate them, improve them, then at this stage the contract (usually about 12 months) is up for finishing or renual and I often leave to try something more taxing on the mind!

This keeps me interested without getting dragged down into a routine so I'm really happy!, the down side is that I could be out of a job for months at a time but that has not happended yet!

Lee

Anyway, business (manufacturing) here in the great UK is booming and I'm getting jobs offers everyday! so I'm not too concerned!!

Dear All:

Yes, I must say I am happy with what I do. Indeed, this should be a requirement that one has and maintains a great and winning attitude each day for the full eight hours and actually make it a 24/7 thing (24 hours a day, 7 days a week). McDonald's has a campaign going on which says I'm loving it. EVERY EMPLOYEE at McDonald's is required to SMILE and greet the customer who walks into a store and make them feel special.

We make it a habit of evaluating ourselves at the end of the working day, every single day, on the following 8 steps to success. The 8 steps on which we grade ourselves are the following. (Give yourself points on a scale of 1 to 8 with 8 being the highest.)

1. Have a winning attitude.
2. Be on time.
3. Be prepared.
4. Work your full 8 hours.
5. Work diligently, following tried-and-proven methods.
6. Maintain a winning attitude all day long (overcome the negatives).
7. Know what you are doing and why you are doing it.
8. Take control (of each and every situation that arises).

Team members take turns to question each other, at the end of the day, and provide an honest assessment of their own performance and think of reasons why they would give themselves a score of less than 8 on each of the above steps to success. We call it breaking your day down.

This is done in what is called the "atmosphere room", with loud music being played in the background (quite intentionally) with everyone having to make an effort to speak loudly to be heard. That surely brings the spirits up at the end of the day and allows everyone to reflect on what they did (or did not do) during the day to earn their paychecks.

You should be going home laughing and smiling at the end of the day, as you leave the atmosphere room.

I work three days per week - Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.

I work from 9:00a.m. to 4:00p.m.

This makes it incredibly easy to have more good days than bad. Having a 4 day weekend every weekend makes coming to work on Tuesdays something to look forward to.

I like the problem solving and continual improvement part of my job when it really is a team (I have to force it alot to make it happen). But most of my time is spent doing mundane work that has little effect on the world at large. I really despise sorting because someone does not follow the procedure or management will not fix a process cause it will cost money.
I hate showing up to work knowing that registrationis still a ways off because the boss will not get involved.
It just gets a little frustrating some times.

Mark

Being happy is not taking your personal life to work with you. Leave the home baggage at the door at work and pick it up when you leave. You will have much better day. Yes I am happy. Very Happy :)

I'm so happy, I made an appointment with a plastic surgeon to remove the smile from my face.

Carl-

I do like what I do and for the most part I have it pretty good where I work.

One of the things I like about this job is that I've learned so much about machines and stuff. I have about 10 years experience in automotive metal stamping - about 6 of them in prototype. If you've seen one stamping, you've seen them all. We get some crazy stuff in here sometimes for repair - I learn something new everyday.

I've also never been a purchasing agent before this job - so that was really cool too. I order everything from toilet paper to steel to replacement parts for our own machines to abrasives - again, I learn something new everyday!

The purchasing part of my job supplements the QA Manager part of my job very nicely. I get bored easily so they both keep me busy and interested.

I do like what I do and for the most part I have it pretty good where I work.

Me too! me too!

In fact, it looks like I'm not going anywhere soon. I've been asked, threatened, and then blackmailed into staying on here for a few more months (my boss says "forever")!

...blackmailed into staying on here for a few more months (my boss says "forever")!
What have they got on you? :eek: :D

I love what I do (Configuration Management).:lol:

I just joined a company in Tallahassee Fl (I was in Indiana) where I get the support for making improvements.

Life is GOOD! :agree1:

Here was me thinking, stupidly, that it was just here where quality was meaningless at the required levels!

Started 2 years ago in quality and enjoyed it immensely :D because of the challenge, but, here we are now and I'm fed up.

Tired of sticking my head up, trying to improve things, and then getting shot down. :mad:

I also am the only poor sod (Quality Manager) who has to implement the impossible in quality.

The improvements that can be made are obvious, but trying to get Senior Management to understand and 'buy-in' is impossible. The main problem is that this attitude then spreads down through the company and affects everyone, making the job even more difficult.

Anyway, maybe its just the time of year so rant over!

All the best.

Merry Christmas

Simon

Here was me thinking, stupidly, that it was just here where quality was meaningless at the required levels!

Started 2 years ago in quality and enjoyed it immensely :D because of the challenge, but, here we are now and I'm fed up.

Tired of sticking my head up, trying to improve things, and then getting shot down. :mad:

I also am the only poor sod (Quality Manager) who has to implement the impossible in quality.

The improvements that can be made are obvious, but trying to get Senior Management to understand and 'buy-in' is impossible. The main problem is that this attitude then spreads down through the company and affects everyone, making the job even more difficult.

Anyway, maybe its just the time of year so rant over!

All the best.

Merry Christmas

SimonSometimes, just sometimes, when we encounter an impenetrable wall, we get so focused, we don't realize the wall ends only a few yards to the right (or left) of where we stand.

What this bit of Zen foolishness really means is there is more than one way to skin a cat. Some experienced and respected practitioners get to attain that status merely because they are willing to consider and try alternate paths to reach their goals.

My thesis is: only a complete mental defective cannot be reasoned, coaxed, cajoled, or threatened into changing his ways. When you run up against one of those, it is time to move to another venue. To go back to the wall analogy - how many times do you bang your head before you decide the pain is too much?

In practical terms, there are many "experts" who will offer advice on "managing managers." Google and read until you find something that makes sense in your situation.

The simple fact is different people respond better to different approaches (motivators):
logic or emotion (fear, love, greed, hate, desire for glory) - once you figure out the best motivator, you simply channel your pitch to appeal to that motivator.

Wes

Thanks for the reply. :thanx:

I'm ready for the Christmas break but when I'm back I will try to understand our managers to see how best to motivate them.

Your right, it is difficult to step back and look at the bigger picture. Maybe I've fallen into the same way of thinking as those managers in that I think I'm right!

One of the main things that I have picked up since moving into the Quality field 2 years ago (or maybe just management) is that more and more it is about people and motivation.

It is especially difficult to bring about change and the tricky bit is getting people to understand what's in it for them and the benefits to the whole company.

Should be fun!

Simon

I love my job. Where else could I make $1.5M a year and set around doing nothing? Oh, wait that's not my job. Crap maybe I should change my vote. :biglaugh:

Seriously though, I do like what I'm doing and have for the past 20 years.

I Love my job since I now work for a company that actually embrases change and wants to improve. I take great pride in the fact that I am part of changing things for the better.

Just a quick note: asutherland, I thought your post about how much time we spend with manufacturing deserved a thread of its own and moved it to: How much time do you spend on the factory floor? (http://elsmar.com/Forums/showthread.php?t=13470)

/Claes

The simple fact is different people respond better to different approaches (motivators):
logic or emotion (fear, love, greed, hate, desire for glory) - once you figure out the best motivator, you simply channel your pitch to appeal to that motivator.

GOOD AND BAD THINGS WILL HAPPEN; IT'S HOW YOU REACT TO THOSE EVENTS THAT MAKES THE DIFFRENCE IN LIFE

by KEN BLANCHARD




sathis

Happy? Happy?...IMO Happiness is a momentary thing not a prolonged state.
Those who are happy all the time are suspicious and may be removed from society. :biglaugh:
Maybe we should be seeking satisfaction, and a feeling of accomplishment.

not sure if i am happy or not with my current situation....but am very content with it...35hr/wk at work allows me to spend a great deal of my time with my wife and a daughter....what more can i ask!!!!!

Happy? Happy?...IMO Happiness is a momentary thing not a prolonged state.

IMO happiness is a monetary thing. The moments I have money, I am happy. :2cents:

I've found that happiness is directly proportional to how cynical I am on a given day. On days that I am feeling idealistic, I am generally sorely disappointed. On days where I am feeling particularly jaded, the odd thing going right makes me inordinately happy.

I've found that happiness is directly proportional to how cynical I am on a given day. On days that I am feeling idealistic, I am generally sorely disappointed. On days where I am feeling particularly jaded, the odd thing going right makes me inordinately happy.

"The optimist proclaims that we live in the best of all possible worlds, and the pessimist fears this is true."--James Branch Cabell

"......and the pessimist..."

Kinda like the glass half empty/ half full?
I consider my 1/2 a glass as to being overflowing with something nasty that I don't want to drink.
(So I like to exaggerate.)

I've often wondered why sometimes you feel good when you shouldn't, and vice-versa. :confused:

In the UK there's a cult (i.e. some people love it, most people have never heard of it) Science Fiction sitcom called Red Dwarf which offered a solution. One of the funniest episodes (called "Quarantine"), was based on the idea that in addition to the viruses we know about (e.g. flu) which make us feel bad, there are also "positive" viruses, such as "Luck" and "Inverse Flu" (which explains why you sometimes feel good for no apparent reason).

I know it's fiction, but it would explain a lot. And if luck IS a virus, it's about time I got infected... :)

"......and the pessimist..."

Kinda like the glass half empty/ half full?
I consider my 1/2 a glass as to being overflowing with something nasty that I don't want to drink.
(So I like to exaggerate.)
Sorry I don't recall the source, but...An optimist sees the glass as half full, a pessimist sees it as half empty, and an engineer sees a glass that's the wrong size.

Its really hard to say. :confused: I think happiness can sometimes be confused with "insanity".
So, maybe we're all happy and maybe we're all just insane? Most "quality" people I come in contact with are just as "insanely happy as I am. It's a job...and someone's got to do it. At least that what ISO says. (And my boss). :rolleyes:

I am always, always,

Oops dropped my pills.



What was the question?

Oh, yea.... am I ever happy now....

I think that most people are not very happy. That's just the feeling I get. Happy is relative... and fleeting in any case. But then again, so is sad.

I think that most people are not very happy. That's just the feeling I get. Happy is relative... and fleeting in any case. But then again, so is sad.

Perhaps I'm reading this wrong, but this appears to me to be a very sad commentary on life (sounds like something Eyore would say).

How can anyone get up every morning, draw their first breath, and not be thankful for another day of living? Do many people view life (as fleeting as it is) in such a lackadaisical manner? Of course I have been accused of not being serious enough, but good Lord willing and the creek (crick for us Hoosiers) don't rise - I will rise up in the morning, smile, and that God for another wonderful day.;)

That's a wonderful attitude to have and I certainly agree with you. Most people don't. If you've ever ridden a major metropolitan subway and seen the dull and blank looks on everyone's faces, then you know what I mean.

That's a wonderful attitude to have and I certainly agree with you. Most people don't. If you've ever ridden a major metropolitan subway and seen the dull and blank looks on everyone's faces, then you know what I mean.

No offense meant to anyone, but that's why I don't live in the city. Some people have moved here from the city and left skid marks leaving, though.

Happiness is one's own responsibility. If you are in a situation that makes you unhappy, it is up to you to try to change it. Oh, and as Dave says, be thankful for what we do have.

What a nice sunrise this morning!

No offense meant to anyone, but that's why I don't live in the city. Some people have moved here from the city and left skid marks leaving, though.

Happiness is one's own responsibility. If you are in a situation that makes you unhappy, it is up to you to try to change it. Oh, and as Dave says, be thankful for what we do have.

What a nice sunrise this morning!

Did the sun come up where you are? We're having some problems with that here!:lol:

Jim, the actual statement is as follows:

Optimist says the glass is half-full; the pessimist says the glass is half-empty. The rest of the world says... "What was the question again?":tg::lmao:

I voted that I am not happy but sticking with it. A couple years ago I would have voted very happy. Since my daughter was born I wish that I could be a stay at home mom. That option is not available to me right now (hubby need to double his income) I am just going to stick with it.:(

As far as quality work, I am happy with my chosen profession.:tg:

I would say that I am happy and have been. I do have more good days than off-days. Yeah, I'm good/great. :) :agree1:

I'm reasonably happy with what I do. This is good, since I pretty much fell into the world of Quality in the first place!

If we had the money I would stay at home with my kiddos until they were in school. However, this is not an option. My hubby says I'm too expensive, I say I want my kids to have a better childhood than I had.

I voted having good and bad days. I work for a great organisation that treats you very well, but some of the working practices need improving as well as communication is a big failing in this organisation.

As for the quality culture, well it's OK, but could be improved upon massively. Let's just say I think the implementation of TQM is a "no-no" till the end of time!

Not happy and sticking with it. Using this opportunity to learn what NOT to do, and seeing the results firsthand. Also continuing my education while I can.

I voted that I have my good and bad days. I like my job: the independence, the opportunity to learn more than just your basic office skills (or "hone" them in my case), and the flexibility that my bosses offer (like needing a day off to care for my children while sick, etc.).

HOWEVER... I must say that there are 2 things that make me unhappy: 1. I went from being a stay-at-home mommy to my 2 girls and a housewife to my husband (having all the time in the world to keep a nice house and have meals ready, etc.) to having to work a 40+ hour work week. I loved being at home! No laundry or dishes piling up and a completely organized house. 2. I would rather work for myself and not watch someone else get rich from my hard work.:mad: Who doesn't though?!?!?:bonk:

:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

Friends,

I am very happy.

Rode (bicycle) 30 miles yesterday.
Teach an audit course today and tomorrow.
Go to my Motherland on Wednesday.
My wife still loves me after 36 years of marriage...

Stijloor.

I have heared that there is two reasons makes men happy:first of all marriage, the other is to have promotion in yr job .

Friends,

I am very happy.

Rode (bicycle) 30 miles yesterday.
Teach an audit course today and tomorrow.
Go to my Motherland on Wednesday.
My wife still loves me after 36 years of marriage...

Stijloor.

We wish you a very happy journey...let us know when you come back.

Rode (bicycle) 30 miles yesterday.

Go to my Motherland on Wednesday.



Not on the bicycle, I hope. :tg:

Not on the bicycle, I hope. :tg:

I was thinking about this.....

Here's one way to achieve happiness:

http://elsmar.com/jpg/eat_lard.jpg

Yes - very happy.

Love riding my mountain bike (yes, I would go the 30 miles too), playing a great game of tennis (doesn't happen as often as I would like) and taking a week out in the winter for snowmobiling. Fall Caribbean vacations are great too.

I really love what I have been doing for the past 22 years but do wish I would have more participants in the online seminars though. People are timid with something new.

Life is what you make it!

I agree. I love what I do.

I actually love my job, for the most part :lol: I love working in accounts receivables, but HATE that I'm stuck with all the quality paperwork in our company. I think it's more that no one else feels the need to do it than anything that sucks about it.

Love riding my mountain bike (yes, I would go the 30 miles too),

My husband does that about 4 times a week. He rides his to and from work everyday (except weekends when he has my truck). He makes a 7-8 mile trip one way last 15 miles :bonk:

I actually love my job, for the most part :lol: I love working in accounts receivables, but HATE that I'm stuck with all the quality paperwork in our company. I think it's more that no one else feels the need to do it than anything that sucks about it.

Perhaps a bit of education on how "Quality" has developed into more than just the realm of 1 or 2 quality people is in order. I understand your frustration :rolleyes:!


My husband does that about 4 times a week. He rides his to and from work everyday (except weekends when he has my truck). He makes a 7-8 mile trip one way last 15 miles :bonk:

Wow, the cove really does have a team of people who like to ride to work. I find that when I ride to work I am more awake than if I drive (scary!). Especially at the moment with the "fresh" autumn/winter air! Nothing like the rush of cold air into your lungs to get you ready for the day!

PS: Something weird going on on this thread. This (at the moment is the last post, yet it says it's on page 20 of 21. When you click 21, it simply comes back to 20. Effectively no page 21 exists but it is showing in the bar down there :confused:!

PS: Something weird going on on this thread. This (at the moment is the last post, yet it says it's on page 20 of 21. When you click 21, it simply comes back to 20. Effectively no page 21 exists but it is showing in the bar down there :confused:!I don't see a page 21 (unless this post starts a new page), but I'm looking into it.

Now I see a page 21 (starting with my post above) but it loads.

Now I see a page 21 (starting with my post above) but it loads.

Yep me too now! My original post appears on 21 not 20 anymore! Suppose it's one of the those glitches that are not really a problem!

Yep me too now! My original post appears on 21 not 20 anymore! Suppose it's one of the those glitches that are not really a problem!

No, it's Marc's magic. :magic:

Stijloor.

[QUOTE=Manix;225644]Perhaps a bit of education on how "Quality" has developed into more than just the realm of 1 or 2 quality people is in order. I understand your frustration :rolleyes:!QUOTE]

Unfortunately our office is very small, not including the owners there are three people and one is HR/Payroll/Payables. That leaves me and the sales :mad: person who let's just say isn't much help in anything. So in reality, that leaves ME :( Oh well, as long as customers don't start calling me for stuff. I just do the paperwork, everything else is left up to the shop!