Monday, September 8, 2008

Life is too short

A bulletin board that I post on asked the question, if you could go back 10 years and tell yourself anything, what would you say?

I switched it to fifteen years for myself. And besides the *great* advice like buy stock in yahoo or google...there are a couple of things I would say.

I would NOT dissuade myself from certain relationships. I've actually learned quite a lot from each relationship and friendship that I've been in.

I would NOT try to convince myself to be a computer science major instead of a history major. I really love history, and that was a learning experience as well. The college I went to was not on the cutting edge of computer science anyway.

1 - I would tell myself that no job was worth my sanity.

2 - I would tell myself that hard work will get me where I want to go, but to remember statement 1 (that no job is worth my sanity).

3 - I would remind myself to let certain friendships go. They might not be healthy for me or the other person, and the other person would survive.

One of the people I work with was freaking out the other day. Not that I haven't been known to freak out at work - but this person was getting angry and loud.

I can understand this person's frustration.

Over the years I've known quite a few people who were very frustrated with their jobs (I think it's the nature of IT). The thing is, there are almost always other options.

And even when it seems like you have to stay at a particular job - you can choose your response to the insanity. You can decide to remain angry and frustrated OR you can let it go. I'm not always good at taking my own advice. I do know that in my current position, I'm happier and less stressed than ever. Making the move I did (last fall) was one of the best decisions I made.

Nothing in particular has me thinking that life is too short. I just think it bears keeping in mind. I find it helps me put things into perspective - and inspires me to make a decision. If nothing else, to not take my work life so seriously.

2 comments:

Freckle Face Girl said...

Good points! I like to remind myself that I work to live...I do NOT live to work.

Aerin said...

Thanks FFG!