Scope of Work

I have been plagued by this unhappiness at work on and off for many years now. In fact, since I started work. Somehow, I'm never totally happy with what I'm doing. I just don't get the sense of satisfaction and achievement from the work that I do.

Perhaps I'm just way idealistic, always thinking I will find passion in my work (that's what I always imagine my adult life to be when I was young) and so I was utterly disappointed in how my life is going in a totally opposite direction. That sucks.

There were periods of decreased misery and as I reflect, those times coincide with my changing of department (hence learning the ropes) or when I was busy getting some major projects launched. I suppose when I'm too busy, I lack the time to ponder. Time passes faster, and I question myself, and my life less.

This dis-satisfied, questioning, restless, wondering, pondering, unhappy episode is again repeating itself and I know if I don’t “learn the lesson” and alter the course of my career / job, this will just keep coming back to haunt me. No matter how I change my job, after a while, I will still face the same demons. So now what ?

I had a chat with a trusted colleague last night on my way home and through talking to her, I was able to verbalise some of my thoughts. She was also frank in sharing some of her observations about what nature of job might suit me:

1. I know that I’m really not keen in the kind of IT job I’m doing now. (But if I don’t do IT, what else can I do ?? I still need to feed the family)
   


2. I don’t really enjoy talking to people. I prefer to be given a piece of work, and just work on it quietly in front of the computer. I realise interaction kept to the minimal works best for me. I’m the type who if given the choice to discuss via phone or email, I tend to opt for the latter. But I force myself to use the phone sometimes to ensure no miscommunications arise via email etc.
   


3. In view of (2), I was thinking perhaps R&D work may work better for me ? Or perhaps as a technical writer ? The former will likely require me to have higher qualifications (PHD ?) and the latter, don’t know much about it but does it mean a steep pay cut ?
   


4. Routine work bores me and makes me restless. Do it once I’ll have the drive and motivation. Do it again I will feel the slight boredom. Do it the third time ? No thanks.
   


5. Colleague came from an MNC and said I should get some exposure to global work. That might give me some chance to see how other countries work etc. It might interest me.
   


6. Maybe I should return to studying for a while ? Or maybe since I go to the gym so often, why not just join as their support staff ?? Hahaha … hand out the towels and sign in the members at the counter. Learn to make some small talk, some bantering … :P


7. Oh perhaps I will just take a few months to travel around (and waste more $$???!!) and just work and play ... now they have this Holiday-and-Work scheme in SG, and I think some other countries have that too ...
   

A friend I talked to tried to explain my lousy feeling about whatever job that was given to me. He said it is all in the scope of work, not so much my bad attitude. (No don't worry, I'm not absolving myself from all sins. I know my flaws and there are TONS of them) So I’m trying to figure out what scope of work will align with my character. I know I will not be able to find a job that I’m happy with 100%, but I should at least be happy doing 80% of the work, instead of the current 100% unhappy with what I’m doing.

So, before I take the plunge, can I request for you to send me your job scope (via comments or email), so that I have a sense of what all you out there does for a living. I am just keen what others are doing. What is offered out there so that I can go out with my eyes wide open ?

Do send me a note, will appreciate your contributions!

THANKS ! *bow*