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Archive for the ‘work’ Category

Work Matters / Career Choices: I’ve Made Up My Mind

06 Sep

I take too long to think about things, but that’s the nature of how I work it out.

I was going to head into the medical field, like nursing, medical research, or clinical trials, but I realized I cannot stand the smell of sick people. I know that sounds offensive, but my olfactory senses are off the charts. I can smell when people are not well. I once had to pick up my Mother from the hospital, and the smell of the place nearly made me gag. I wanted to turn around and leave. I ended up breathing through my mouth.

I am still fascinated by medical news. I follow the theories of causation behind high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease. It’s interesting to read and watch clips on YouTube as doctors hash out studies and stats on their beliefs that the causes are a result of: lack of exercise, high fructose corn syrup, refined carbohydrates, too much fat, not enough good fats, too much red meat, genetics, and so on. I’ve discovered that dairy and grains (especially breads) do not agree with me. I’ve mostly cut them out of my diet and I’ve not only lost weight, I don’t have indigestion problems anymore.

I will stick with the technical field as my publishing company grows, and I will continue to explore other ventures. Therefore, I’ve decided to master C# (C sharp), refresh my knowledge of Javascript, Visual Studio, Adobe Flash  / Photoshop / Dreamweaver, and the other tools. I will also have to get acquainted with all of Microsoft’s latest tools, which can be heaven and hell.

My biggest complaint with this field is that everyone wants you to be extremely proficient with ALL of these languages and tools, but more than half the time, they really don’t need you to use them on the job. They prefer to draw you into all day meetings. No one seems to understand that programmers need time to think. But then again, most companies have morons in charge – so why expect anything different?

 
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Posted in .net framework, C#, corporate America, jobs, money, programming, work

 

Why Job References Are Stupid

01 May

Testimonials are important. It has the same value as an actor or athelete endorsing a product s/he never used or ever will use. But we buy the soap, the crapsh*t product, anyway, right?

Considering how much gets outsourced: What’s to stop this trend from becoming a provider of  job references? They do everything else – from scheduling our personal affairs to an assistant calling people on our behalf. Why would it be impossible to claim being an independent arm of a foreign entity? Corporations love foreign enterprises and who knows who anybody is anywhere? No matter what people think LinkedIn and Facebook wont help.

I love these articles by HR “Experts” who caution people – in this desperate economy – not to phony baloney up the resume. Sort of like how the ex-CEO of Tyco, Dennis Kozlowski, never actually graduated from the college(s) he claimed to have attended? I’m not talking about his purported crimes. I’m talking about the fact that a number of CEOs, like him, are running companies with phony baloney resumes.

They got where they were based on fabulous job references. They had the right connections, which were so solid no one ever gave their bogus backgrounds a serious look-see. Now, when guys like this commit these offenses the twits in the media go chirping about how honesty will set you free.

No, it doesn’t. Not in this society. Certainly not in this world. The best liars get elected,  hired, and promoted. They win the day.

This crappola about honesty is that it keeps people in low wage jobs with little prospect of moving up. Corporate America is not about a job well done. I will rephrase that: one cannot be a workhouse, and expect any good to come of it, unless you have dedicated suck-up sycophantic cheerleaders telling everyone how fantastic you are at the job, whether it is the truth or not.

That’s why I say, if that is all a reference is good for: Why not hire a bunch of good actors, get the kind of background created like in that entertaining show, Leverage, go forth, and move up the Corporate America ladder? One of the things I’ve always noticed about head honchos, in most organizations starting from mid-level directors on up, is how good they are at stealing the ideas of others, taking credit for their work, claiming how hard they work and always, always networking (chatting up their cheerleaders) as to how they are the greatest thing since slice bread.

And it bloody well works. All the damn time.

I don’t hate them. I am envious. I wish I was a successful psychopath* on the job too.

The sociopath is that truly self-absorbed individual with no conscience or feeling for others and for whom social rules have no meaning.

CHARISMATIC PSYCHOPATHS are charming, attractive liars. They are usually gifted at some talent or another, and they use it to their advantage in manipulating others. They are usually fast-talkers, and possess an almost demonic ability to persuade others out of everything they own, even their lives. Leaders of religious sects or cults, for example, might be psychopaths if they lead their followers to their deaths. This subtype often comes to believe in their own fictions. They are irresistible.

Definition lifted from: cassiopaea.com

 
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Posted in corporate America, featured, job hunting, jobs, politics, references, work

 

From Ted Talks -> Gary Vaynerchuk: Do what you love (no excuses!)

13 Mar

I like the inspirational aspect, outside of the profanity.

 
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Posted in Think, corporate America, jobs, motivational speakers, motivational writers, work

 

The 4 Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss

08 Mar

I listened to most of this book from the library. I would say that Tim Ferriss has the kind of focus successful men have. I believe women can do it too, but we have distractions that we cannot put aside.

I can take his advice, realizing I can only get as good as 4 hours everyday of the week. Maybe I will be able to improve upon that schedule. It’s like studying back in high school and college. One should do research upfront and read some of the syllabus ahead of class. It will put one ahead of the curve and save time come examination time as well for writing research papers.

I agree with his tips on getting things done.

  1. He recommends outsourcing small at first to get used to delegating work. I am a micromanaging control freak. It does waste time. It’s a hard habit to let go of.
  2. He recommends studying how much time is spent responding to emails, the phone and texting, etc. Oh yes, the hype about this technology disguises the fact it can be a terrific waste of time. He suggests ruthlessly answering all the emails, phone and texting at one time only, no exceptions. I have to do this, I am a chronic Internet junky.
  3. People need to constantly ask themselves if they are doing something productive or just being busy. Sounds like a day of work for me.
  4. He recommends eliminating mass media consumption. Well, I don’t have a TV. He means any kind of news consumption. I’m trying. I’m a news junkie. I agree with his premise. Thoughts that could be spent on working are wasted worrying and being concerned with situations in the news that are out of our control.
  5. He provides some insight into the type of businesses that allow someone to work small hours and profitably. The rest is up to the person to research it and reach their own conclusions.
  6. He mentions people “overwork” because they feel guilty, so they push 80 hours per week to feel productive. I agree that this is a horrid disease in corporate America. I used to want to ask these managers if because they do not have a life, must others join them in their misery?
  7. The key thing is that once the real work is done, a person will have time to devote themselves to what they love.

There is a new edition coming out. I will check this out once it is available at the library.

 
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Posted in business, technology, work

 

Ask Yourself This Question

03 Mar

Are you a grasshopper or an ant?

In this economy, even if you are in the majority who are working, or the significant part of the population that is not, it is never too late to prepare.

It is not hard. For every purchase you make: set aside money, buy a few extra cans of food, water and emergency supplies. You only want items that will last for the long haul. Keep a notebook as a checklist and write down the date and cost. You don’t need to go crazy, just be methodical.

Stop buying things that you quickly dispose of. You might as well be setting your money on fire.

Cutting back doesn’t have to be painful or indicative of a life of penury. You are preparing yourself to cushion through hard times, natural disasters and man-made disasters. You are preparing yourself to not worry and have a good nights sleep.

There are things that worry you, then make a Top 5 list of them. Find a way to solve them one by one. Give each a deadline.

Get to it. Save yourself.

 
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Posted in increase income, motivational speakers, motivational writers, safety, savings, work

 

Searching for Work: Worldwide Consideration

23 Mar


In the past, I would have thought, “Oh, hell no.” Yet, now I am much more open and willing to consider and do it. I’ve put in my years of working in America. I’ve done my time of 15 to 20. I am free, unencumbered, and excited at the prospect of pursuing my interests in living overseas.

I am willing to go almost anywhere to live and work. I think I would prefer somewhere warm, but I would hit the cooler climates if the weather is moderate year round.

I don’t know why I didn’t think of it before. I was born in the UK. Out of curiosity, a lark really, I wondered, am I still a citizen? ‘Cause once you are naturalized in the US they make it seem that you can’t have dual citizenship. Well, at my ripe old age, I certainly am still a citizen there.

Moving to the UK wouldn’t be a hard transition. I have plenty of family there. They speak, somewhat (snicker), the same language. The few times I’ve gone “home” it took me a few days to understand what people were saying. They air all the same horrible TV programs and movies shown here. Aside from driving on the wrong side of the road, a lot of things are pretty similar.

I am willing to do it! I need to leave America for a while. I really do. I need to miss this place. Worst of all, I’m bored with living here. The other 49 states are more of the same shit, in different places. I’ve visited enough of them and long enough to know.

I know a lot of Brits are fed up with their country. I don’t assume the grass is greener. I probably would start to bellyache like them the minute I get there. However, they get more vacation time, and at least everyone is covered with health insurance. The draw for me, is to be somewhere very different for a period of time.

So, I’ve decided to expand my options to live anywhere in the Anglo-ized world (or is that the EU zone?), and I’m relaxed and rather excited about it.

Now, actually pulling this off without making a disaster of it, is my next challenge.

 
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Posted in Europe, United Kingdom, career change, relocation, work

 

The Bully at Work

26 Mar

The New York Times, March 25, 2008, has a rather fascinating article on the bully at work. I find that article to be rather timely. I was talking to my mother about how Corporate America is actually an extension of junior high or high school. The same asshats that you disliked or were bullied by at school, end up being coworkers and supervisors.

So the hell of working with a belligerent jerk never ends. In this case, because one needs work to eat and survive this makes the situation worse. With all the debts people have, the difficultly of job jumping, the commute, our personal obligations, health benefits, and so on, sometimes hell is the only place we can work.

I’m not surprised companies are losing billions of dollars in lawsuits, people are taking extensive sick time, or just walking off the job. I’ve walked away from a number of people I wanted to knock the stuffing out of. It’s not even just about rudeness, they know you don’t want to be labeled a troublemaker.

This is about power. Nothing else.

This quote from the article, is pretty much standard at every job I’ve worked at. It’s happened to me and I’ve seen it happen to others. Oftentimes, I wonder why there aren’t more shoot-outs at job sites. According to the NY Times:

The work bully sets out on a course of constant but subtle harassment. It may start with a belittling comment at a staff meeting. Later it becomes gossip to co-workers and forgetting to invite someone to an important work event. If the bully is a supervisor, victims may be stripped of critical duties, then accused of not doing their job, says Gary Namie.

I’m a vendetta minded type of person. Not only do I thoroughly document disgusting and rude behavior, I also retaliate. I don’t let people mess with my money. I see that as life threatening, and I respond in kind.

People have and will lose jobs after I’m done with them, because I’m willing to lose my job just to get my revenge.

 
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Posted in bully, corporate America, work

 

I Hate Corporate America

03 Jan

I love to work, especially when I get to use my brain power. I love figuring out puzzles, following clues and solving problems. I’m all for intellectual inquiry and resolving obscure issues.

What I don’t like is working for corporate America. I’ve hated working for that soul draining monster, since I left college. I wasn’t overly fond of college either, but at least I saw the results of my work: decent, unbiased grades.

I’ve stayed jobs over the years, misconstruing that the problem was with the individual company. Well, after the enthusiasm wears off, be it the third week, month or year one thing becomes apparent: it’s the same all over.

I’ve run out of interest in it all.

There is no difference between a career and a job. People show up to a job because they work to live. People who have a career live to work. No matter which way it’s played out, people are trading in their time – a precious commodity – for dollars.

I’m angry at myself, because I feel I’ve been conned, yoked and suckered after so many years. I had hoped that of the years I’ve worked at a company, any company, there would be some satisfaction for a job well done.

Hah!

I enjoy being busy, at a good, interesting, well thought out, and methodical task. Yet, there were times when work was slow or non-existent. Yeah, try and find your manager for something to do. Would you believe most of the work I ever did, I gave to myself? I mostly created all of my own projects.

Those dead work times were the most stressful for me. It’s limbo time. I’ve been told that the project will start, or continue, as soon as so and so signs off on the budget. Or head honcho Chief Doubletalker is over in Europe and we must wait for his return. Or it could be the case that the manager is in over her / his head and is frozen into inaction. Name the scenario, I’ve been there.

It happens everywhere, and it happens all the time.

Now, I’m someone who doesn’t care for much of the niceties of socializing at the job. I’m not a water cooler plant. It’s like mingling with the cattle as we’re about to be slaughtered.

I feel that after spending 12 LONG hours a day with these people, I don’t want to see you after I leave the building. No offense. Nothing personal. I just want to keep separation between corporate church and state, which is my life.

Ever really read any of those career advice columns?

I used to, until I realized that it was never about competence. It could never be. These articles have been and always will pertain to how to be the best brown nosing ass-kissing suck-up at the office.

The fact is if you are attractive, which almost anyone can achieve these days, you will get ahead. If you are a phoney, unpleasant, non-compliant, take-credit-for-other-people’s-work cretin, and a two-faced backstabbing liar at the job, that’s the way up the corporate ladder.

But what if you aren’t a sociopath?

If one can find a way to make a living, and not head off to the jail-cubicles of corporate America, make a run for it and don’t look back. You’ll be happier person for it.

As for me, these people can keep their damn jobs. I’ve had enough.

 
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Posted in college, corporate America, jobs, work

 

Your Money or Your Life

28 Dec

Your Money or Your Life, is the non-fiction book by Joe Dominguez and Vicki Robin. It describes in a no-nonsense, hype-free manner, the step-by-step way to transform a life full of debt without direction to one of financial freedom and limitless possibilities.

It is not a get rich quick book. To me, it is a how-to on thriftiness, frugality, being poor (not really) and loving it. However, they answer a universal question (well, my universe): Where do I get the time and money to follow a few dreams? The authors flip a number of because-that’s-the-way-it’s-done on its head.

Freedom from debt is the goal. The solution they offer, goes up against a lifestyle of consumption, debt, and scrambling to keep up with the Joneses. Debt is a ball and chain. If it becomes big enough it distorts most decisions made in life.

I’ve read the book several times, it is one of the few I have dogeared. Most books I read are so pristine they look new. I’ve read (and still read) it religiously, but honestly, I am unable to follow all of their advice. In some areas, I can, but the whole kit-and-kaboodle? Nope.

Trying to manage my spending is like trying to watch my eating – it’s an eternal diet. I’ve tried to record my eating and spending. After a while I just forget (fatigue of trying) to tally every penny spent and every bite taken. I can follow most of the goals and hurdles set forth: it is the last steps that I can’t handle.

Your Money or Your Life, is great at emphasizing how to take back control of your life. It’s fantastic for all areas of any sort of money management you desire to follow. Get a different job, a change of “career”, move to a dream location and just be ready to make sacrifices.

It’s an excellent book because of that reason alone.

 
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Posted in bonds, debt, financial independence, money, residual income, savings, work

 

Economic Inquiry: How Does Moving Jobs Overseas Benefit US Citizens?

23 Dec

I haven’t purchased or read any books on Globalism, I usually peruse articles on the topic. I’m sure they’re nice books, especially those written by brand name journalists such as Thomas Friedman. Plus I loathe the idea of putting money into their pockets.

I’m bemused by the argument that unemployed Americans improve our overall economy.

Friedman’s book, The World is Flat, is one of those treatises that claims Globalism is great. US Citizens should celebrate the transfer of jobs from the US to developing countries (India, China and the like).

Why? Well, it helps them (and us) because, you know, somewhere down the road (decades from now) as their standard of living goes up – they’ll be able to buy stuff from us. Since our manufacturing base is shrinking, and moving overseas, exactly what stuff can these poor countries buy from rich ones?

It’s easy for tenured economists, and their journalist ilk, to write about the joys of Globalism.

Universities and media companies aren’t eliminating their particular jobs. They enjoy tenure and have no competition. At least not yet. When one is employed in a market that is 100% closed, it is easy to write that the suffering of others is acceptable, even warranted.

If a guy making $35 per hour is let go from a job he worked at for 15-20 years, how does that benefit the rest of us?

Oh right, his job goes overseas to someone who’ll make $35 per month. Yeah, the “savings” are passed back to the CEOs that run the corporation and there is product price reduction, but what about the other side of the damage?

What’s the other side of the damage?

The US Citizen’s $35 per hour salary necessarily supports the infrastructure of his local neighborhood, his state, and his country – not the rest of the damn world.

This citizen’s money went to: Social Security and Medicare / Medicaid – the entire FICA scheme, his retirement funds, local property taxes, sales taxes and whatever is left is disposal income.

The US economy survives on over 70% consumer spending.

In US politics, the rest of the world should never come above and before the interests of US Citizens.

If fair trade practices mean we buy their goods, I’m all for it.

Yet, how does a job in India and China contribute to our infrastructure?

Didn’t a bridge in Minnesota just collapse this year?

Isn’t this country running a deficit that in bills could reach the Moon?

How does this help America again? Oh that’s right, cheap products: lead based toys, poisonous pet food, polluted fish and produce, and who knows what other garbage they ship. Why do we get this crap? Because it is cheap!

And how have the lower earning among us been making do? With credit cards.

Any income gap that the low wage job didn’t cover came from borrowing. People were encouraged to employ equity loans. Their cash machines came from the rising value of homes, because the money certainly wasn’t coming from a well paying job.

Is the subprime mortgage mess making sense now?

 
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Posted in globalism, jobs, subprime mortgage, work