Keeping your own morale up... 8

[EngineerDave]

One thing I've struggled with in some of my jobs is that I'm a tough critic of myself.

For instance, I have also had this thought in my mind that maybe I'm not quick enough at my job, or I'm not doing enough, etc.

I also have had this problem of not knowing what to prioritize at times. I had a job onetime where it seemed no matter what I worked on, my boss would ask me about some other project.

I get pretty self conscious at times at work too. Overall I wish I could just get into the zone everyday at work and tune out distractions, but i really find my only stress free time at work is either before everyone is there or after.

I'm set to leave my current job to go to grad school, but this is an important topic to me and has really led to some unsatisfying experiences.

Does anyone else have any of these damaging thoughts running through their brains?

 

[jmw]

The advice i was given about priorities is simple, don't let it be your task to prioritise. Whenever you are given a new task you must agree what is involved and how much time it is likely to take. If you already have a full workload, bring this to your bosses attention and ask him how he would like you to re-arrange your priorities.

This does two things: it makes it his problem and he knows that a previous promise on another job will be changed; it gives him a feel for the workload each of his team has. He may well decide he doesn't want to disrupt the tasks he has already assigned and will re-delegate the tak to someone not as adept at task management a yourself.

If you don't let him know that what he asks is going to mess up what you have already promised on other tasks then he may well assume that the new task is OK. He won't like the surprise of having things drift out. He has to plan too.

JMW

http://www.viscoanalyser.com

Eng-Tips: Pro bono publico, by engineers, for engineers.

Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips Fora.

 

[tygerdawg]

"Roger that" to JMW's response. It's your boss' job to set your priorities....mostly. There is a level of detail with which he won't want to be bothered, and you need to figure that out.

From my more or less successful career experiences, I would also suggest:
(1) Learn HOW to prioritize. It's not a God-given talent for most people, but something that is learned. There's books on the topic. Jeez, you're going back to Grad School? Brother, you had better learn this fast. When I went to Grad School, I had the shock of my life to discover that none of my peers were used to being "2nd" in anything, especially academics. You think working at a job is tough? Try the cutthroat competitive environment of Engineering Grad School.
(2) Be flexible, prioritize every day. The world is a dynamic place, the successful species learns to adapt.
(3) Communicate with your boss constantly. In one of my former lives I worked at a company that required each engineer to write a weekly paragraph summarizing
A. What are my current projects
B. What I accomplished this week
C. What my plans are for next week.
The manager would summarize the summaries and forward them to HIS boss, and on up the line. Pretty good communication system. I hardly ever saw my boss except when he felt it necessary to adjust my priorities, which is his perogative. I use it whenever I can, but I have found a curious trend: the boss loves it, co-workers hate it because they don't want to be accountable for their actions.
(4) Realize the fact that in a corporate work environment "No Man Is An Island". You're part of a team, and interaction with other team members is required. You can't just expect to be a nerd, locked away, doing math games in isolation. Those jobs are few and far between. Consider whether or not this is the right career path.
(5) Lighten up and improve your sense of humor. No one can hit a bull's eye 100% of the time, you're inevitably going to screw up occasionally. Learn how to treat it with a good sense of humor and move on.

TygerDawg

 

[COKA]

EngineerDave,

You are feeling preety low lately... All these not so positive posts... resignation... low morale...

You have to stop everything that you're doing and ask yourself a couple of questions. First, why are you self conscious? Second, do you think that the grad school is going to solve that problem? Third, what are your goals in life?

Let's start from the first question: Why are you self conscious? Is is because you've been asked too many times about projects that you are NOT working on at that time? Is it because you have a "hothead" as a manager? Or is it because you know that you are a bad planner? Whatever the reason is, you have to sit down and identify it! Once you find the answer, and be honest with yourself, you'll be able to take some actions. If it is because you are not working on good projects, do as previous answers have suggested it: whenever you get a new project, ask how "rush" it is compared to the A, B, C, and D projects that you are currently working on. Once you know where your priority is, you'll have an easier time splitting your tasks. If it is your boss, well you can either live with it or go somewhere else. Just remember, what goes around comes around. And last, are you self conscious because you are a bad planner, then find out if your company gives courses on planning, or do some research on the internet. You will definitely get answers!

Second question: Grad school... Why do you want to go back? Is it because you are not happy where your career is going at the moment and you think that by going back to school you'll solve that problem? Don't be fooled! If you don't solve the root problem now, you'll have a harder time later. Imagine yourself, having a Masters or a Doctors degree, being a head honcho of a bioengineering reasearch team, and not only having to do a gazilion more projects, but also having to delegate other projects to those working for you. More schooling = more responsibilities.

Third question: What are your goals in life? Do you live to work or work to live? Is work all you do? Do you have any hobbies? Wife? Kids? Dogs? What makes you really happy? Do you go to the movies? Now is the time to empty your head, leave all work related question at work, and when you go home on a Friday afternoon, DO something. After a happy weekend at home, you'll get more confident, and then when you go back to work on Mondaym see how you feel and what is that is making you feel sh***y.

I only have one advice to you, and to anybody else who might feel down because of work. Make sure you have a life outside! Make sure that you are being praised at home: by your wife, by your kids, by your dog... Maybe praised is a big word, but make sure that there is someone out there that enjoys your company and that accepts you for you, and that doesn't care if you can plan or not. That is where you feed from. Good feelings. Like that it will be easier for you to find the root problem, because you know how it "feels" to feel good.

I hope that this post is going to help you and not make you feel worst. Good luck...



Coka

 

[profengmen]

Congratulations!

I'm relieved to hear you still have a job, that's an impressive feat during these days.

Keep up the good work!

 

[SLTG]

I've had days like engineerdave had. I've had days when I doubt my ability to be a good engineer. Never got praised from poeple. The boss really don't care if you need help or not, just get it done type of personallity. My previous mentor told me that " you have to manage you boss", don't let him get into your head. He also said that do not sacrifice the quality of your design just because you are going to miss the due date. your product speaks for itself. It's been a learning process for me though. like Coka said, it is necessary to find what the root problem is. For me it doesn't matter if I was doing great work or delevering the project on time, I still feel the same way about going back to graduate school. But you know what, this type of experience will prepare you better at the graduate school. Communication skill are very hard to learn, but it is very necessary regardless of what you do.

SLTG

 

[TheTick]

The following may sound harsh. Please accept it in the spirit intended, which is to help...

One thing I've struggled with in some of my jobs is that I'm a tough critic of myself.

For instance, I have also had this thought in my mind that maybe I'm not quick enough at my job, or I'm not doing enough, etc.

Such perfectionism is not healthy, nor is it noble. If you are holding yourself to exceedingly high standards that you cannot meet, it is most likely because you do not have a realistic understanding of your job and/or your abilities and/or the expectations of your supervisor.

You need to take a long hard look at what the requirements are for you tasks. Fill those requirements. Do a thorough job, with an appropriate level of attention to detail.

Due to illness, the part of The Tick will be played by... The Tick.

http://www.EsoxRepublic.com

 

[funnelguy]

The Tick makes a good point.

Along the same lines, not all engineering positions make the same demands of people. I've worked with what could only be called "analysis types" who never left the confines of their cubicle. I've worked with project engineers who did some design and a lot of co-ordination between other departments. And I've worked with manufacturing engineers whose only job it seemed was to extinguish the never ending series of fires in an attempt to get product out the door.

These people and their personalities are NOT interchangeable. Find out what you are good at and what suits your personality. Plan for the future based on that information. Engineer is a pretty generic label. Pick a flavor that best suits you. Good luck!

 

[Lorentz]

A star for you funnelguy for your observation:

"Engineer is a pretty generic label."

This in itself could be the subject for a thread.

 

[EngineerDave]

Excellent, excellent group of posts.

I appreciate everyones feedback.

 

[johnwiss]

Negative thoughts come and go and when they stay it's something you need to act on. I know if I work hard on a project there is a general letdown after the jubilation of completing it.

It is a gear-shifting problem and self-doubt etc get you when you are at a transition. Take a week off get work out of your head and rethink it. Ask buddies for opinions and have fun.

 

[trainguy]

EngineerDave,

I know exactly how you feel. I can count on one hand, (OK, maybe 2) the number of days that I left work in the past 10 years and felt I had a very productive day. I am otherwise successful, according to my situation / colleagues, etc. (I think...)

I do feel that I don't work fast enough, almost always. I guess design (mechanical) is just that kind of work, where you might work for days, and not really advance as much as you thought.

It's not healthy to be your own toughest critic. You're probably a perfectionist, which can be a good quality when used sparingly...

Wait a second, maybe if I spent less time on Eng-Tips...

tg