Is Everyone Happy?

[Kevin Mader]

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

 

[John Finn]

Happiness on the job

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.

 

[Kevin Mader]

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!!!!!

 

[SteelMaiden]

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.

 

[John Finn]

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.

 

[Kevin Mader]

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!!!

Kev

 

[energy]

Bull****

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!!!
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.

 

[Kevin Mader]

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!

Kevin

 

[trailwalker]

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.

 

[SteelMaiden]

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.