Frustration is getting the best of me, sad to say.

Status
Not open for further replies.
scott thompson

scott thompson

Senior Member
Location
Anaheim, California
Frustration is getting the best of me, sad to say.

After close to 25 years in Construction, I am contemplating leaving the Industry completely... In-Field, Project Management, Engineering,... everything.

Just had enough of all the games and baloney involved, which occurs job after job after job.

If anyone remembers Kevin Spacey's character in "American Beauty", he was (I believe) a Project Manager, who got fired (as is common protocol for P.M.s... sarcasm only!).

After getting "Less Than Zero" support from his Wife, he goes to a Fast Foot establishment, and applies for Employment.

During the Interview, he is told there are no Management positions available, at which point he replies (my feelings exactly):

"I do not want a Management Position, I want the Position with the LEAST amount of Responsibility"

I am thinking it is time for me to go this route! Put me in the Position, which has the LEAST amount of responsibility!
That way I can just go to Work every Day, and do Actual Work, and someone else can deal with all the insanity.

Please understand that this message is a tension and steam relief message.
Just needed to throw this out to those who know what I am going through, and may have some suggestions or other supporting ideas.

Thanks in advance, everyone!

Scott
 
Re: Frustration is getting the best of me, sad to say.

Scott

"The grass is always greener on the other side."

NOT REALLY!!!

If it was easy, it wouldn't be fun. Stress is a product of one's own mind, what you may need to do is take 3 deep breaths, take a short break from your daily grind and rethink how to make what you have ... better. Do not let the people who work around you get the best of you, turn that around and get the best of what life has to offer.

I do not know your situation, just remember that people are people and no matter where you go, you will deal with people.
About 12 years ago, I was tired of the cold winters, hot summers and the hard work, dirt, the people who ran work - so I left the industry and took an office job. "Nice people, controlled temperature everyday, no cycle of work and worrying about where I would be in 6 months, and a paycheck every week!!!!!"

Well it did not turn out quite like that. Office politics were horrible (people are people), no one trusted one another, and the same 4 walls everyday. I got bored, disinterested and disgusted and in 6 months was back to my horrible industry doing what I thought I was hating to do. Only I now had a fresh start and have been very happy ever since.
Good luck !!!!

[ June 28, 2005, 05:55 AM: Message edited by: pierre ]
 
Re: Frustration is getting the best of me, sad to say.

As always it comes with less pay too.Good side is there are far more openings.Down side is you better down play your past salary and job titles or you will be over quailified and yes most will not hire an over qualified person.

I was given one of them bull type promotions a few years ago.Went something like this.Jim good news i am promoting you to field supervisor. :) There will not be any more money and you still do your regular job. :( :( :( :( :mad:
 
Re: Frustration is getting the best of me, sad to say.

Scott,
Stop and think about this..Don't be rash(hasty) in your actions..Remeber that s_ _t rolls down hill and sometimes, still reaching the bottom ..You can also get "splattered" down there too..

~Might as well just take it on the chin, and be well compensated in the process.. ;)

*no real excape..
 
Re: Frustration is getting the best of me, sad to say.

Scott: I just changed positions myself. Got fairly lucky the way I look at it. Moved from Syracuse NY, to Brownsville TX. I looked for something better for quit a while.

I also spent 17 years in the Navy and one thing that was true then is still true out in the real world. The same people that were at my last duty station, are at my new duty station. Only thing is the names and faces are a little different. People are people and it seems like any problem you may try to get away from, only follows you.

Well now that I moved from the North to the South and figured everything was going to work out just great. My job is doing OK as work goes, but my wife that said she would be happy wherever we ended up. Well she never came down, three weeks after I left she filed for separation and is now filing for a divorce on the grounds of cruel and inhumane treatment. All I ever did was take care of her. Well very long story. I've been on antidepressants and barely been able to get my job done which I truly enjoy my job.

Hang in there Scott, as they all tell me, once you hit the bottom, it can only get better. If that does any good.
 
Re: Frustration is getting the best of me, sad to say.

Originally posted by scott thompson:

I am thinking it is time for me to go this route! Put me in the Position, which has the LEAST amount of responsibility!
That way I can just go to Work every Day, and do Actual Work, and someone else can deal with all the insanity.
Click to expand...
Scott, I've been a bottom-feeder for most of my short career. Trust me, the same "insanity" occurs no matter what you do.

I flipped burgers at Wendy's. Why did I quit? Of all things, "Business Politics." I'd be happily flipping burgers today (for about what I'm making now) but the idea of answering to that jerk boss anymore was too much.

I moved up to the mailroom of a newspaper. I ran a machine all day, in a concrete room, that was too dirty for "suit & tie" people to bother us. Guess what: Suit & tie people still bothered us, they just kept it to e-mails and very short trips. :)

Hang in there,
 
Re: Frustration is getting the best of me, sad to say.

Find a way to channel your frustrations. I went from 20 yrs. in the field to inspecting & office politics. A year & half ago, the day before I turned 47, I started martial arts. Best move I made for my sanity. Good luck to you. Ron
 
Re: Frustration is getting the best of me, sad to say.

Some very good advice so far.

At one point in my past I was promoted for a temp assignment that supervised several others. It was fine until upper management started to meddle. All I can say is that I became the a.....e that I hated in others, just to save my job. Have never been inclined towards management since.

If you work for a living, the rule is that the less the pay, the more the s..t you have to deal with. If a promotion doesn't come with more pay, it's not a promotion.

try Tai Chi;
try writing everything wrong with them down on paper, not just to someone, ON paper;
try writing on paper everything that you want in a job, and see if any others come close;
try jogging or meditation in the morning before girding yourself for work.
best of luck.

paul
 
Re: Frustration is getting the best of me, sad to say.

A mother was concerned about her twin sons. One was always happy, the other always sad. She finally got frustrated and took them to doctor. The doc tested them by putting them into rooms and observing them.

The twin that was always sad was put into a room that had all the toys, candies, games, computers, etc. that a young boy could possibly want. The boy picked at the stuff, looking sad and depressed. The doctor went in and asked him how he could be so sad when he had all this great stuff to play with. The boy responded "it's not mine, and I know you will take them away from me".

The other twin (always happy) was put into a room full of manure. Manure stacked in piles 5' high. This boy was laughing and digging in the manure. He kept on digging and laughing. The doctor was amazed and asked the boy how he could be so happy when he was surrounded with manure (aka, **** ). The boy responded (with passion) "with all this manure, there's got to be a pony here somewhere!".

Scott,

I don't know what happened to put you over the edge, but try to find a PMA (positive mental attitude). Look for the quality of life. Maybe you don't need to quit, just cut back?

Good luck. If you want to just chat, send me a private message.
 
Re: Frustration is getting the best of me, sad to say.

I set a goal every morning and don't let anyone get in my way of accomplishing it. Most problems are human generated and fed by politics. I don't play politics. I keep my mouth shut and if told to do something a wrong way, so be it. Pocket digital voice recorders are great. I don't need to say anything, I let the bosses hear it out of the people that are in charge first hand. Playback buttons are so cool.
So you see, I keep my mouth shut and let the others do the talking, even if it is delayed.

Works everytime......
 
Re: Frustration is getting the best of me, sad to say.

Originally posted by bigjohn67:
I don't play politics. I keep my mouth shut and if told to do something a wrong way, so be it. Pocket digital voice recorders are great. I don't need to say anything, I let the bosses hear it out of the people that are in charge first hand. Playback buttons are so cool.
Click to expand...
bigjohn,
I dislike politics,as much as anyone else..

But don't you consider, this being a unfare advantage..?
 
Re: Frustration is getting the best of me, sad to say.

Originally posted by bigjohn67:
Pocket digital voice recorders are great. I don't need to say anything, I let the bosses hear it out of the people that are in charge first hand. Playback buttons are so cool .
So you see, I keep my mouth shut and let the others do the talking, even if it is delayed.

Works everytime......
Click to expand...
I believe if you went to a labor relations board even a lawyer against management this is illegal.
 
Re: Frustration is getting the best of me, sad to say.

Originally posted by scott thompson:

Just needed to throw this out to those who know what I am going through, and may have some suggestions or other supporting ideas.
Click to expand...
Scott, have you tried going to church. It helps me keep things in perspective and always seems to have a positive impact on me every Sunday. Its as if it revitalizes me after I a not so great week. You could even try lifting weights, thats a great stress reliever.

[ June 28, 2005, 10:28 PM: Message edited by: GG ]
 
Re: Frustration is getting the best of me, sad to say.

Originally posted by bigjohn67:
Pocket digital voice recorders are great. I don't need to say anything, I let the bosses hear it out of the people that are in charge first hand. Playback buttons are so cool.
Works everytime......
Click to expand...
Big John -- I've done the same thing and other similar stuff. It does work. I would be very surprised if it is illegal to record your own personal conversations. If you're worried, check with your attorney (it probably varies from state to state).

Surveillance tapes are both legal and common. How is this radically different? It's just my own "personal surveillance" tape. I'm sure a lot depends on your purpose and what you do with it.

A few years ago, I recorded some of my phone conversations. At that time, my attorney said it was legal (in Texas) if it was my own conversation and I wasn't recording someone else's conversation that I wasn't a party to.

I wouldn't hesitate to do either one again if I felt the need. My view (right or wrong) is: don't tell me anything that you don't want to have repeated in a manner that you can't deny.

I've been in meetings and found out later that they were videotaped with small unobtrusive videocameras -- I never noticed them. Fortunately, I try not to say or do things that I don't want to stand behind, so no problem was encountered (for me, anyway).

I've been in a lot of meetings that were audio taped. Sometimes I knew about it, and some times I didn't know until later. Either way, it really didn't bother me.
 
Re: Frustration is getting the best of me, sad to say.

Scott,
You and I have been posting here and at EC net for what, 5 years? I feel I know you and your capabilities pretty well. If it's a change you are looking for, you know who I work for and I would be glad to make an intro to the right people. You can't be hired as an electrician for obvious reasons but we are always in need of PM's and CAD savvy detailers. The shop is close to your house and we have tons of work around the corner from you all the time. I don't know wyour situation is but if I can help ust say the word!
Nick
 
Re: Frustration is getting the best of me, sad to say.

Originally posted by tx2step:
Originally posted by bigjohn67:
It's just my own "personal surveillance" tape. I'm sure a lot depends on your purpose and what you do with it.
Click to expand...
The point is that yes you can record but you can not use it against anyone. It is illegal to record someone elses conversation without their permission. It is not your own personal conversation, There has to be someone else involved to be a conversation . It can not be used against them unless they were aware they were being recorded. I believe even the recordings are being questioned much more because it is way to easy to even change audio and even video recordings using computers anymore.

The legalities of things just keep getting more and more complicated. Give it a little more and the Lawyers will be able to sue you for something you may do five years from now. Isn't there a movie on something like that?
Click to expand...
 
Re: Frustration is getting the best of me, sad to say.

Scott, I am feeling the same way. I am tired of the politics, general contractors suck, tired of supplier issues and drywall contractors that want to bury you. The current project I am doing is the worse nightmare ever. This is the job where I fell and broke my knee in 3 pieces because GC does not want to clean his site. Yes it was his debris I fell on. 30 years in the trade, worked my way up the ladder to general foreman and thats it. I loved this industry, talked my oldest son into it, made a comfortable living and now I cant walk without limping. Got to be something better out there!

Charlie
 
Re: Frustration is getting the best of me, sad to say.

Originally posted by charlie k.:
This is the job where I fell and broke my knee in 3 pieces because GC does not want to clean his site. Yes it was his debris I fell on. 30 years in the trade, worked my way up the ladder to general foreman and thats it. I loved this industry, talked my oldest son into it, made a comfortable living and now I cant walk without limping. Got to be something better out there!
Click to expand...
charlie k,
Theres just not much excuse for a GC to allow such neglected unsafe working conditions to exsist in areas where professional craftsmen, have the need to be in plying their trade.

I do hope you knee injury is doing much better and you will be able to continue what you love.I also had substained an depillatory, on the job injury once myself that took me many years-(almost six)- to be able to return any form of action in field.Doctors had told me not a future consideration, in the continuing.-(but what do they know about me)-*Screws,plates,fusion and nerve damage,is no real picnic. :D

I know your meaning in love of this trade.As the many times that I had pondered the absence of it, as you are now sir.But this craft is rooted into your blood, as is in mine.And I do love it so,and as you will also find way of reinvention in attitude,as well as the aptitue in this continuing of. Where there is just not much self satisfacton,or no other real substitute for it Charlie..

*reinvention is my advice..and I wish you good luck in your decision sir..The everyday pain from injury,is of the very personal nature,and sometimes very hard for others to understand. A long and winding road it is.. ;)

You keep kicking brother, Mr.Charlie k

dillon :cool:
 
Re: Frustration is getting the best of me, sad to say.

This topic really hits home for me. I don't know if any of you all are Christians but I thought Id post this anyway. As many have I have had to commute for about 9yrs no less then 70 miles one way. All the pressure of the job the crap you go through most of us have been there. For me this came to a head recently when the company I was working for continued to try and get push more work on me an several others and continued to lose people in the company. Before I finally left they had me running from 3 an 4 different jobs at a time not be able to keep up on any of them. I would like to add this though that I had been praying for a job closer to home so that I can spend more time with my family an not be so tired all the time. My prayers were answered when I got a job 40 minutes from home and the shift that I wanted someone just happened to quit an it opened up. Now I work 3 days a week 3 12's and get paid for 40hrs. Although there are stressful times sometimes its work out pretty good. Remember this the Lord answers prayer if you put your faith an trust in him alone!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top