Im having motivational problems

[Mailman]

The initial message was deleted from this topic on 16 January 2025 at 15:59

[autoholic]

Sounds like you need a holiday man!
Why don't you take off for a couple of weeks... or longer.. while you take stock?
I've been in field sales and found quite tough, hence not doing it any more.
The grass isn's always greener.. better to take a break and a look around you before making any huge decisions.
Just my 2p worth.

[jezb]

This sounds cheesy but you have any decent hobbies/past times/distractions. Its too easy to let work become the be all and end all. It is only a job at the end of the day. I know it can take over your life especially jobs like the police/ambulance/forces etc.

My old job depressed me but when I started doing more stuff outside of work, it became much less of an issue.

[jonboy07]

ye dead on, im in the army, f*ck me! that can take over some times, with or against ur will lol, just need to get a hobby, something to look forward to so ur not just working all day to sit around and do f all, thats what makes u feel like ur not acheiving anything, id love a job in the police ( grass is greener eh lol) ye, try and find somthing that ur already intrested in rather than just doing something u know, for me its cars and biks, i dont know? mabie u should try and go out some more too, somwhere new or something, ull love it, thats whats good about the army get to go out in loads of new places, just meet random people too, its great

ps why are the police such hard asses all the time lol ?

[pissdupfool]

how long you been in the police mailman? still a normal bobby or have you specialised?

why not have a good look around at what opportunities there are at work - firearms, CID, etc. - and have a word with people higher up the career ladder [pref. in a job you aspire to] to see how they got where they are and how they overcame the 'slump'. become the best you can be and aim to make sgt or get on the accelerated development programme.

i graduated 5yrs ago and have a lot of friends in a wide range of industries [engineers/doctors/raf pilots/fashion designers/PR/IT/etc etc] and i think pretty much all of us has experienced what you're going through now. i think its something to do with the fact that expectations of a job are much higher than the reality. having a mortgage, paying tax & bills, seeing the same people everyday and not being able to do what you like, when you lie, also brings you down a bit. see your mate more, change your routine, don't let the mundane things get you down.

i went through all that a couple of years ago. homelife with the mrs was dull and a proper routine, so we ended up splitting up. hated my job [mech. engineering] so changed to what i do now [design engineer]. that was ok for a while but now i'm getting bored again so trying to get into R&D or find a decent job abroad. certainly the people i've spoken to in middle/senior positions tell me that if i'm not ready to be moving on every 2/3 yrs then i'm not pushing myself hard enough and need to do something more stimulating.

plus, if its just the work/life balance thing thats annoying you, why not emigrate? i hear australia is a popular place for policemen to emigrate to, and you would be hard pushed to find a better place to go if you're into outdoors hobbies.

[NobleGuy]

Mailman said:

Ive had a few holidays in the time Ive been thinking about it, but still feel no different. I dont tend to do things by impulse and this is one of the most difficult decisions I have had to make. I risk giving up a lot by leaving but wonder if I would be happier in the long run.

I'm in the same boat. The last 2 years or so have been a bit miserable as my job has become so dull. I had an interview on Friday and I was in such a better mood afterwards, mainly because I had to take a day off to do it. Was something different for a change. I'm gradually coming round to the idea that maybe, perhaps, a stable life is just a bit dull. And yes, the grass always looks greener but not sure if it is or not.

[Battenburg Bob]

A large number of Probationers are leaving before their two years is up. It's when that realisation hits home, that you have to do the job with one hand behind your back, the cancelled rest days, crappy management and political interference.

All I'll say is if you feel like this now, get out. Stay in too long and you get in the pension trap.

[M400 NBL]

Catch 22 situation like a lot of us. There ae easier, more fun jobs out there but they usually pay a lot less. So you take on a less paid job and then end up stressed due to money worries.

[eldar]

If you wake up in the morning, and your first thought is 'Oh, fk, its a working day' and feel pissed off, it is time to change. Change job, employer or employment status. (assuming it isn't a temporary bad patch)

[Mailman]

Thanks for the replies, Im 3 years into the job but recently changed forces and got thrown into a desk role. The management have said that Im stuck in that role for 18 months. I had other plans, but lately had a big road accident which has meant that ive been laid up unable to walk and a few broken bones. The injuries will heal but Im resigned to going back into the office in a role which I never chose to take (management decision as lack of people going into that role) and just feel Ive taken a wrong turn down a road which is going nowhere.

I wasnt going to mention the injuries as I was considering my future long before this happened (had plenty of time to think about it too) but just to respond to certain posters who provide no useful reply

[vonhosen]

If you are fed up after 3 years you've got a long way to go !

[Mailman]

vonhosen said:

If you are fed up after 3 years you've got a long way to go !

Thats what I was thinking!

[NobleGuy]

Quinny said:

Woh is me.

Life's hard, get over it and be thankful you have your health

Useful.

[schmalex]

Mailman said:

Sales, particularly field sales is something which I have considered (enjoyed the relationship building side of things) and would find myself motivated by bonuses.

I have been in IT field sales for the past 15 years or so. It is generally a good life, but can be really stressful at the end of the quarter (especially when the economy is a little shaky).

For example, having delivered c. $2m already in Q2, I had to close $3.8m orders yesterday to end the first half respectably (I have to find another $5m this quarter & another $5m next quarter!). We did it, but only just with the last P.O coming through very late in the day. What made it most frustrating is key people in my organisation were uncontactable all day, meaning that I couldn't get certain contractual guidance. This is very stressful when you are measured and paid on the value of business you bring in on a qtr by qtr basis.

Also bear in mind that if the company you work cocks up, it will be YOU that will have to sit infront of the client taking a kicking & ownership for resolution for something that is entirely out of your control, making you come across as the bad guy infront of both your client for the error & co-workers when you have to go & bang some heads together to sort it. In general, field sales is a lot more than just swanning about in a car all day, breezing from meeting to meeting. To be successful, you have to view it as running your own mini business within a business.

However, if you have confidence in your abilities & are willing to work late at night, most nights & build strong relationships with clients whereby they see you as a trusted partner instead of "just another sales-guy", then field sales is good career that allows you to balance work & life reasonably well.

Edited by schmalex on Tuesday 1st July 11:43

[ihatesissycars]

jezb said:

This sounds cheesy but you have any decent hobbies/past times/distractions. Its too easy to let work become the be all and end all. It is only a job at the end of the day. I know it can take over your life especially jobs like the police/ambulance/forces etc.

My old job depressed me but when I started doing more stuff outside of work, it became much less of an issue.

+1

[NobleGuy]

Quinny said:

Whatever Mr fking Perfect

Yep. You've identified yourself as a complete tt.
Idiot.

If you're not interested in a topic, fk off and don't post on it.

[Zaphod I]

As many will testify on my behalf, I am in the same boat moreorless as you.
Degree with honours in Appied Psychology, post grad qualifications in counselling, and who is my main employer?

Royal Mail - as a postie, for the past 13 years, this time.

I've always maintained if you are not doing something different after 6 months, you are stagnating. I've risen to the dizzy heights of work area management, teaching, mentoring here - the last two I enjoyed. I look forward to being made redundant, or going part time (with a financial incentive if I am lucky)

I do other things though. We set up a so far successful family business - bespoke embroidery and sublimation print of garments around two and a half years ago.

I am a CWU H&S Representative for the mail centre

I am a first aider, and have been asked to teach this to others in the business.

I am also doing a course to become a consultant web designer, but really it is just for my own personal knowledge, and for fun.

My point is do not look at your job, how boring or how easy it is, as the be all and end all, or the centre of your life. Do other things, broaden your horizons, and look at you job in a different way, to bring things into prospective, and don't let it grind you down.

[Mattygooner]

A couple of people in my office have been quite down about work and have both been to see the same shrink, has really helped them.

Edited by Mattygooner on Tuesday 1st July 12:53

[Neil_H]

Quinny said:

Mailman said:

I wasnt going to mention the injuries as I was considering my future long before this happened (had plenty of time to think about it too) but just to respond to certain posters who provide no useful reply

You may think my reply not useful, but instead of looking at a half empty glass why not look at one thats half full.

I'm sorry about your injuries, and these could be playing a part in your apparant depression

As a disabled person who's almost always in pain, I for one know that this can really knock the wind from your sails.

But you will get better. Many others are stuck with it for life.

So instead of feeling sorry for yourself and looking at all the negatives.

Why not start to look at the positives.

You've got a job with prospects
You've got a house
You've got hobbies you can afford to pursue
You've got a partner
When your injuries heal you'll have your health back


Maybe things aren't so bad after all ehh

Ok so you're a bit pissed off at work, well join the club. I bet most people would love to be doing something else.

Well sometimes life's not like that and you just have to make the best of what you've got.

Edited by Quinny on Tuesday 1st July 12:19

He's asking for career advice, nothing wrong with that. I didn't see him complaining about what he has, rather the opposite in fact.

[DaveL485]

Have a kid.

You'll be too bothered about sleeping or trying to regain your destroyed sex life to worry about work