How do you make your job bearable?

If thoughts like "I'd rather be doing something else rather than being stuff in an office" creeps in, what do you do?

How do you deal with the mundane nature of corporate jobs?

How do you make your 9-5 routine bearable? What's your strategy? Any tips?

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Comments

overklock

As a student working in customer service, I envy you. I am still going through my CCNA course at the college, and am about a semester away from getting my degree. I cannot wait. When you start thinking how unbearable your job is, remember that you don't have to put up with idiots in a VERY mundane store.

Node Man

I did the hard work up front and got a job that I love.

Eston21

Always having something to listen to like a podcast or tv show.

N2IT

I get up and walk around and network with people. I am always calling project meetings with my developers to make sure we are on track and delivering code at a fast pace, always driving down cycle time. I find when I engage with my staff time flies. I usually do my administrative and development outside the hours of work.

Here is how I manage it though. I am visible always throughout the week, it could be 10 or 11 at night. My justification is release and promotion windows. The nature of release is outside the hours of operation and this is where I gain insane traction. I will sometimes just go to my boss and say my calendar is clear I am heading and she literally doesn't care. I do it all the time, so that's how I manage it. When I am in the zone I deliver and remain transparent. That way when I get tired or want to bounce, I bounce.

philz1982

I work from home so I relax by reading a book or doing school work.

chanakyajupudi

Follow blogs. Podcasts. Write a blog. Make Podcasts. Up Skill. Lots of things to do!

Arod95

At my job me and my coworker make jokes about the users in their face and they still find it funny cause they know its true. It's nothing mean though just funny. Plus since we're an outsource company I get the see different people everyday except my coworker.

JamesKurtovich

overklock wrote: »

As a student working in customer service, I envy you. I am still going through my CCNA course at the college, and am about a semester away from getting my degree. I cannot wait. When you start thinking how unbearable your job is, remember that you don't have to put up with idiots in a VERY mundane store.

This is one the reasons why I'm so grateful I went through the hell of retail before getting a "real" job. It helps out when I'm experiencing these types of first world problems.

I'm lucky enough that I work in a casual environment with a few jokesters. Work is work, but when we have the time it's all talk about Game of Thrones or Star Wars or whatever.

ccnpninja

I tend to remind myself that this is just a job and that life is much bigger than sitting in a office cubicle making someone else richer...

Kai123

Always move forward, have a plan and never get complacent. I really want shift work as a NOC Engineer, once I get this role, I really want my CCNP, once I have that, I would like a Bach etc etc.

Its always bearable when your always working towards something.

10Linefigure

Usually get up and walk around the building a bit to catch up with people. Find out if there is anything we can help with or any issues we may not be aware of that are affecting users.

gespenstern

Just go to Russia or Africa or other 3rd world country without any money and survive there for a year or two.

Then go back (if you managed to survive, of course) to the office and kiss your cube and desk each day and work in peace for the rest of your life.

E Double U

I kill time here on TechExams

I walk around, talk to people, practice Dutch in my car using Duolingo, listen to music, or walk on the pier since my office is minutes from the beach.

kohr-ah

I use streamus and listen to music.

If the weather is well enough I will go for a walk a lot of times down to the lake front and walk around for 20 minutes then head back in.

Study if I can on something i find interesting like Python or Linux.

techfiend

Walk around the office and see if colleagues are having issues, with some of them it leads to a lengthy discussion. It's one of the most enjoyable parts of desktop support\sys admin work for me along with the challenging projects which are becoming few and far between. It's funny how it's pleasant to deal with issues when you approach them but can be a real downer when they come to you with issues.

I wish I could study my wgu courses but they don't want me doing that, while others are regularly on facebook, is that strange?

Mooseboost

I spend most of my spare time at work studying for something or reading a book. From time to time I browse forums. My coworkers really make it a good place to be, if ever I feel that I am drowning away I just scuttle over and have a good chat. I do see enough crazy things from time to time to keep things interesting.

seigex

Research and Development. I look for new things to test, come up with new ideas, and look for new software and hardware to play with that will improve operations. I'm a software engineer also, so during free time I like coding up quick programs that will speed up business processes for the users.

Deathmage

1. plants.
2. specialty coffee.
3. music in phone.
4. Brookstone massage chair.
5. mini-fridge
6. microwave - popcorn!
7. BCAA drink mix, Amino Acid energy boost!
8. breaks on here and on Youtube research stuff.
9. quick 5 to 10 minute reading blurps in my study books.
10. I'm the office joker, so I'm always doing small little goofy things to my co-workers to make them like 'that little monkey, he's a little S@$#!'

Essendon

Mate you really need to start thinking about doing the thing you told me about. Research about it and if it's feasible, give it a whirl on the side. Keep your current job so if the thing doesnt work out you have the job to go back to.

the_Grinch

I'm lucky in with my job they're ok with taking a few minutes for yourself. Sometimes I'll stop in and starting talking with my boss, typically it starts as work and then we start shooting the breeze about interesting things. Other times I'll go chat up coworkers or run over to 711. Finally, I'll usually take a break from my big projects and start working on some short investigations into regulatory compliance. Nice to take your mind off of one task and then dive into the fun stuff.

ChooseLife

UnixGuy wrote: »

If thoughts like "I'd rather be doing something else rather than being stuff in an office" creeps in, what do you do?

How do you deal with the mundane nature of corporate jobs?

How do you make your 9-5 routine bearable? What's your strategy? Any tips?

Change jobs. Seriously, if it's like that, find another job, find something you enjoy doing...

MTciscoguy

If it has become unbearable, it is time to find a new job, because the one you have is obviously missing the target with you.

ande0255

Took up lock picking, have some practice locks with 2-5 pin tumblers in them, and my pick set with all the different torque wrenches and pick tools.

Kind of like having a puzzle to solve on your desk for those lulls in productivity.

Cyberscum

.......Get a new job or career. I'm in the same boat man, I have always been an active guy so IT wears on me every day. Luckily I just got an officer job in the Air Force so I will hopefully get a nice change of pace.

RomBUS

Browse forums
Random studying
Look up video game stuff
Talk BS to department co-workers

UnixGuy

Awesome replies guys.

Let me clarify, I have an awesome job. Actually, all my IT jobs have been awesome. Good pay, great colleagues, ..etc.

I really don't like complaining, but I can't help but feel 'trapped' in an office environment. I still have family responsibilities so just quitting IT altogether is not an option (yet), but it's getting clearer now that working in an office is not for me.

I try to chat with my colleagues, read up online, learn something...but still watching the clock to get out of the office, and everyone is like that one way or another I guess

anhtran35

Everyone goes through this cycle. My ex became a digital nomad and started roaming the world cause she got tired of the office life. I often think about what if I was a Secret Agent etc...Then reality hits in with my next mortgage payment.

Node Man

There are options for folks tired of the office; field tech, line tech, datacenter, sales engineer, etc.

PC509

Browse Techexams looking for a new certification to go for.

I try and find something new to learn... I'm working on Powershell right now.

Deathmage

PC509 wrote: »

Browse Techexams looking for a new certification to go for.

I try and find something new to learn... I'm working on Powershell right now.

that's my motivation, work experience plus the constant studying I'm doing is what helps me pass the time. Each certification I acquire means a 5 to 10k pay increase and that is motivation for me.