Update on me...

[supernova]

I last posted that I got a new laptop (a MacBook) which I enjoy very much. I still have some things to work out like burning DVDs and posting pics.

Workwise, I finished up a contract in IT at the end of October. No, I haven't worked since then. Several things have gone around in my head since then. Yes. they do get rid of you usually in shitty ways. Especially in IT. But acting out in retaliatory ways doesn't help at all. I no longer expect people to behave professionally nor ethically. Sad, isn't it?

After taking some time off for the Holidays, I've done a lot of thinking over the past couple of months, especially about my last job. While I enjoyed it, there were aspects of it that were not good for me, especially in work vs life balance.

- Normally, I wake up naturally about daybreak, usually before the alarm clock. The entire month of November I slept late every day; that's how tired I was and didn't even realize it. (I'm one of those people who hardly ever takes vacation; even when it's offered.)

- I never felt that I had the time or space to do my best work. Time pressures on deadlines are just unreal IMHO. I work in technical editing and writing and I can tell you that you can only do things so quickly before you start sacrificing excellence in the name of speed. There was constant pressure to do the same amount of work in less and less time. I have a very low tolerance for this kind of pressure. And it's not something I can compromise on.

- Sitting in an office, I got way out of shape and returned to my old habit of nervous eating. I just had to have that candy bar every afternoon. And that workplace was too spread out to make going to a gym at lunch realistic.

- Never had the time or the inclination to pursue my own writing. Something I've dreamed about my whole life.

Realizing all this; my shortcomings and my needs, I've begun to consider the possibility of going freelance and runing my own job for myself. It sounds good. It also sounds scary. I don't know that I have the kind of personality that one would call entrepreneur. OTOH, I feel less and less like I fit into corporate america. Maybe I'm just deluding myself.

And no, I can't afford not to work. I must support myself. In times like this, I can see why a sugar daddy would be a nice thing. :P

Thoughts? Comments?

[elfrangel]

1. I can't offer much...

But I would say that pursuing what makes you the happiest is best. If you try, the worst that can happen is that running your own business doesn't work out. The best, you have a job you LOVE that can be adjusted (conceivably) to fit YOUR needs.

Take a shot...the worst fate can do is say No.

:hug: Here's hoping that everything works out for you.

[supernova]

2. Thank you

for saying that elfrangel.

I'm not really sure what I'm looking for in response to my thread ... may just some encouragement.

[Wapsie B]

3. It's almost to the point that a lot of people don't fit the mold

of corporate america. I think that if you've got an idea for a business and you're not working now why not explore it? What have you got to lose?

[supernova]

5. Thank you BWA

That's about the conclusion that I've come to. I appreciate the encouragement.

I don't know who does fit the mold anymore. In Bait and Switch Barbara Eherenreich sorta comes to the same conclusion: that while corporations might talk a lot about "diversity" and such and they may even think they mean it. But to me, it seems they are increasingly looking for only one type of personality. Everybody might look different but they all act and think the same.

[Wapsie B]

7. Yes that's exactly right Supernova.

I remember the much overused buzzwords of entrepreneurial spirit, and taking ownership of your work, and empowering yourself in the workplace. When in fact anyone who is a true individual on the job is quickly shunted aside. The most dangerous question to one's career whether they be an MBA or Staff Janitor is why? Why are we doing this? Why not do it another way? Blind obedience is a highly cherished characteristic at work. Real ambition is suppressed unless you know how to play the corporate games to get ahead, or even hired in the first place. This is a topic near to my heart. Hope you can get your business idea off the ground.

[supernova]

8. Why is that d'you suppose?

Are we really that much more successful drumbeating all the creative people out of our businesses? Or are we setting ourselves up for a fall in the future? I just don't know. Or perhaps it's always been this way. People who got fired from the Ford assembly line in the teens were complaining about the same thing?

[Wapsie B]

9. I think part of it is the takeover by the number-crunchers

who see the bottom line and nothing else. Even in healthcare there are people with MBA's and such running things looking at the spreadsheets and reports and losing track of what really goes on the floor with patients. The opportunities where an English or Art or Liberal Arts major can move up or even get hired for many jobs is slimmer everyday. Creative people can see the big picture. Creative people can openly question things and that's upsetting to many corporations. It might've always been this way, just getting worse now with the bottom line mentality of today. I'd like to think that it can open up opportunities for people with a vision and an idea to do something better than a monolithic corporation.

[kay1864]

4. I'm an IT contractor too

Fortunately the one client that did end a contract treated me nicely. But I know that not all of them do.

I've been very happy with my contract firm, and they have a location in RTP (Morrisville) if you want some short-term work to tide you over (or even long-term if you'd rather). They vet their clients too. And they have benefits. PM me for details.

[supernova]

6. Thanks kay

I've considered alternating between working short contracts and trying to freelance, at least for a little while. I will pm you.

[Redstone]

10. Whe I started my business, we had just bought a house, and we had $700 in the bank,

and a Sears credit card (Sears sold Macs back then), not to mention a kid.

You can do it, too.

Redstone

[supernova]

11. Very heartening to hear Redstone

That's part of what brought this up for me now. I realized that I had about all the resources anybody ever has.

How are you doing? :hug:

[Redstone]

12. I'm doing well this last week, thank you for asking. Take the leap. We could not afford

for me to quit my job and go into my own business, but we did it anyway.

The prize goes to the bold, or whatever the saying is.

Redstone