3 on 3/16/18 vs. 19

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Friday (3/16/18) was my three year anniversary at my job. It’s easy to remember the date, since it’s also my brother’s birthday.

A friend and coworker of mine, who shall remain nameless to respect privacy, had his 19 year anniversary about a week prior. It struck me what a different perspective the two milestones represent.

For my friend, not a notable event. He didn’t even realize it was his anniversary date until I mentioned it. I only knew because they post birthdays and work anniversary dates among other things on a bulletin board in the hall. I knew it wasn’t an exciting milestone for him and that he would rather be someplace else. I didn’t say this to him, because I totally get how he feels, but it is still an accomplishment. One shouldn’t beat themselves up for overstaying at a place where you’re comfortable instead of seeking new endeavors. Many people do it. There’s no shame in it. I support him in looking for something that utilizes his talents. He’s a good artist.

As for me, I’ve had five jobs in that time, and had a break from work for a while for medical reasons. The five jobs include the current one.  All of my past jobs paid very poorly. Not that I’m going to get rich at this one, but it’s better than where I was, and I get overtime.

So, when I look back three years, I’m thankful for where I am now. Although, I did get some good blog fodder at my last job, Assistant Manager at Family Dollar. (Check it out.) Mostly, I hated it, though. I had some great coworkers that made it bearable, and some nice regular customers. But, I couldn’t imagine doing 19 years there. So, I guess I know how my friend feels, or can imagine.

I remember feeling embarrassed telling people what I was doing at my 25th class reunion a few years ago, still at Family Dollar.  I quickly added that it was a stepping stone job every time I mentioned it. I was a top student in school. Of course, I know, I shouldn’t have been embarrassed. After all, they don’t know what led me there, or what I had to overcome.

Now, people say it sounds like a cool job when I tell them what I do. I don’t say that it’s actually really tedious. I do microfilming of material, mostly newspapers, for preservation. I started in the digital department doing Quality Assurance, then digital scanning of books, documents, slides, etc. I’ve also done prep for the microfilm department. So, I haven’t even done the same thing day in and day out for the three years I’ve been there. It went fast, and yet many days seem to crawl by.

I have no intention of being in my friends place 16 years from now. If I am, I’ll ask him to give me a good kick in the ass. He’ll understand. But seriously, I hope to write my way out of there.

It’s good motivation to write, when I think how it got to be three years already, and how unhappy I’d be if I hit nineteen years.  I don’t think that will happen though. I know I was put on this earth for a reason, and I intend to fulfill it.

I’ll look for inspiration and use my determination and talent to be the man God meant me to be. Life is what you make it, right? I feel like I’m giving myself a pep talk, but I hope you may benefit from my words. Maybe you’re happy in your job, or retired, but we all have dreams. Dare to pursue them, and take any help you can get along the way, because we’re all in this together.

8 thoughts on “3 on 3/16/18 vs. 19”

  1. And here I am now 25 years at the job. Never truly about being stuck ya know. I find the material I work with fascinating and wouldn’t trade that experience for the world. What I find the most difficult is myself. Sometimes my anxiety gets the best of me and I come across as being “difficult” I have had to work twice as hard as most people there (because my years of not being medicated and in therapy to take a bit of the edge off solidified my role in how I am percieved) It wasn’t my choice to leave digital and head to microfilm in 2018 and I felt railroaded by Joe in my interview to say “Anything bad about digital, the only thing that came to mind was a lack if communication.” Then there were the multiple times I applied for management in microfilm but was denied because Joe held a grudge on me when I stepped down from a position from OCLC in 2008 despite the fact that I was promoted in digital at BSLW.

    I also had to fight my way back into Digital because Kelly was under the impression I wanted to leave because I dislike the job. It’s not the job…it’s never really being recognized positively period. It’s also my own lack of self worth at times that give off vibes of discontent.

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  2. See, I look at being an artist differently. I wasn’t made an artist I was born one. I have utilized many different aspects of my creativity over the years for the most part as a tool for enrichment. I think I feel if I worked as an artist I’d lose interest. I want to find work that resonates within, from the heart. More and more I feel a gravitational pull towards some kind of social work. My dream job would be to be a chef in a soup kitchen, most soup kitchens run daily for one meal only and are all volunteer gigs. I’m contented these days creating for myself. My art is not about making a profit at least not anymore.

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    • I get that. I do photography for enjoyment, and other things, but I feel that I need to be a full time writer in order to reach my full potential. There’s just not enough time to share all the writings I’ve got in me with the world while making a living elsewhere.

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  3. I have no sense of pride, man. The work is far from boring and my work ethic is quite strong but I lack courage to make ANY kind of committed leap of change like Weight loss & a career I’m proud of.

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    • I stand corrected. So, the work itself is not the issue. That’s good. And I can attest to your very good work ethic. I only mentioned you because I know you have artistic abilities and would like to utilize your talent more. I guess what I meant in this post is that I hope to transition from a day job to a writing career from my current job, and not be looking for another job in the meantime. So, if I’m there as long as you, it means I failed as writer.

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