I talked to my co-worker and about a conversation he had with his wife. She simply asked "why are you getting stressed out?" Yes, why am I? As much as I like to talk big about Software Engineering and how people's lives depend on good sw, that's not true for what I am working on right now. No one will die if my web app is late or has bugs. And what's the worst that can happen? I can get fired. So what.
It's not worth getting stressed out. It's just a job and nothing more. It's not me. I do care if my project fails, but if I does, it doesn't really impact a whole lot of people in a serious way. My drive to work has more wide ranging implications on people's lives than what I am doing. My job is just to provide experience and money for my life. That's where I am getting the money to put gas into my car, buy people dinner, and buy a kayak for myself.
There are SO many more important jobs in the world such as doctors, nurses, parenting and teachers. I just have to keep on reminding myself that the stress from work is not worth my health, not even close. I think that when I can keep perspective all of the time, I will be where I want to be in life.
Listening to: Joan Osborne - What if God Was One Of Us
Very true, Jim! So when are you buying ME dinner? ha
ReplyDelete"Life is only as good as the memories we make." - Kris Roe
ReplyDeleteThat's what i'd encourage you to keep in mind as the basis for everything you do, or get stressed about. The most stressful thing in your life should be about doing things that you'll never remember long enough to tell your grandchildren about, or things that they won't be interested in when you do tell them.
Of course you need to make enough education, money, relationships, etc. to get to that point, but those things are only the means to the stated end.
Just my perspective,
Cooter.
Jim, you should read "The Joy of Not Working" by Ernie J Zelinski. A great book, and right in line with this discussion. I recommend it highly.
ReplyDeleteWhat if the success of the project you're involved with has a direct impact on other people's jobs (since these is always proportional to a company's success) and therefore a direct impact on them putting bread on the table of their families?
ReplyDeleteI'm with JP on this one. This is not ethical.
ReplyDeleteYou should do your job with the best of intentions. You should be willing to give it your best.
I'm not talking about not doing my best, I'm talking about killing myself with stress over things that I do not have control over like "other groups" and "people getting sick". I am willing (and am) giving it my best, but I have to realize if that is not enough, the world isn't going to end.
ReplyDeleteIt's my job to do the best for what I am responsible for, and my manager's to make sure the project is a success by managing the outside risks (like other groups, people getting sick, ...)