A question: Do any of you have a cat-herding aspect to your gigs? Or one where change seems to be the only constant? Why is it I set up a meeting send out the notice on Outlook, then get annoyed when someone wants to reschedule?
Do you dislike having to do things repeatedly, even though that’s an unspoken part of the job? Do you chafe against the lack of control of your own time?
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Unfortunately, there is some level of cat-herding required regardless of where or how you are employed. This applies to the self-employed. While it can be annoying, I try to emulate a former coworker of mine. He rarely let himself get riled up about anything, saying ‘it all pays the same’. You don’t get paid any more for stressing yourself out vs letting it go.
Hello, Savvy! You’re telling me just what I don’t want to hear!! LOL!! Cat herding is another one of those things they never told you about in school, since you were responsible only for your performance. I believe the stress comes from being accountable for the actions of people over whom one has no authority.
Comment by savvy — April 13, 2009 @ 4:29 pm
Your last sentence is absolutely right. That’s why I escalate, escalate, escalate. If you’re not giving me what I need (because I don’t have the authority), I’m going to go up the ladder until I find someone with a big enough stick. If it still doesn’t get done, it’s no longer my fault or my problem. Needless to say, there are some who aren’t that fond of me. But I’m not here to make friends, I’m here to do a job and I do it darn well if I say so myself.
It kills me that people are unresponsive, blow you off and then get mad when you call them on it by involving their supervisor. Everyone believes they’re the busiest people in the world.
Comment by savvy — April 14, 2009 @ 12:33 pm