There are a couple of different ways to view working. Some people really focus on advancing in their career by climbing the corporate ladder and making as much money as possible. Others are more apathetic and view working as a job that’s one part of their life. On the other hand, there are people who find community with their coworkers to create a “work family” that provides a support system that may not be present in other areas of their lives. And finally, there are people, like me, who view work as a means to an end. 

I have 0 interest in climbing a corporate ladder or advancing in my “career.” I have 0 interest in creating a “work family.” I don’t care to share details about my personal life or even invite “work” associates to things or events outside of work. I show up to do a job I was hired to do and then I leave to go spend time with my husband and dogs. I don’t even like showing up for company outings like Christmas Parties, bowling, Top Golf, or Medieval Times. 

My lack of “involvement” for the organization I work for resides in my disdain for spending more than 40 hours a week around people who don’t need me outside of a work function. Getting me to come into the office on a Saturday or Sunday is a hard ask. Same deal with going to an outing after 5:00 PM on a weekday. Like, what is the point? I believe in work staying in a box that doesn’t escape outside of working hours. 

I don’t have the enthusiasm for work like I did when I was desperate to get hired or when I first started in Marketing. The nonstop, customer facing aspect of being on the Service Team has worn that newness off really quick. That combined with the constant turnover, lack of true leadership and development, location restraints, and angry customers has me dreading 8:00 AM and praying for 5:00 PM every day. 

Okay…maybe that was a little dramatic, but seriously, I don’t believe work should be a cake walk, but I do believe everyday shouldn’t be horrible. More often than not, most days are struggles. You can’t really tell if today will be a nice, chill day where there’s hours in between calls or tickets, or if today will be a hellish day that’s nonstop. The unpredictability is truly astounding. 

It would be so easy to lose yourself in the monotony of stressing your job. I see some of my coworkers stressing about deadlines, ticket count, and certain clients causing them grief to the point where they aren’t sleeping well at night. Or their health is taking a backseat. I would imagine some of them are being kept up late at night because of the nature of the job. 

Me, on the other hand, isn’t allowing RIT to stress me out anymore. I used to get really frustrated about the constant calls, constant emails, constant recurring meetings, unrealistic expectations from clients and internal leaders, and just the lack of progress. But now? It’s comical. Okay, yes in the moment I still get annoyed sometimes, but I’ve learned to not let it affect Krissy and I or my life outside of working hours. Nowadays, work can be crazy but as soon as I log off, my day and mood instantly gets better. 

I don’t care to run myself into the ground, physically and mentally, for the sake of completing tickets, answering phones, and replying to emails. There is nothing work related that is more important than my sanity.

Signed, 

Jessica Marie