Do you love your job?

[mac08]

Brought to you by the fact that I am going back to work next week and am kind of dreading it.  I am a speech therapist at a preschool, so I have summers off.  I somewhat like my job, I have some great coworkers who are good friends, and I do love working with kids and it's rewarding to see their progress.  But, there are a lot of ridiculous office politics and crazy bosses which bring a lot of stress.  I know you wouldn't expect that in a preschool, but it can get crazy stressful.  I know everyone deals with weird people and stupid policies, that would happen at any job.  I don't know if I have it in me to really love any job.

So my question for all of you is, do you love your job? Does anyone feel really passionate about it? If you won the lottery would you continue to work at your same job? Or do you feel like it's more of a means to an end? 

[melsamoony]

I usually love my job. Things have been a little difficult and stressful there lately w politics and changes but usually I love my job. Before I started my current job I didn't think it was possible to love my job. Where you work makes a difference.

If I won the lottery I would still work but I would work much less.

[MrsMB]

Nope. I hate corporate life and politics. I hope to one day do something that means something....even if it's a drop of pay. Of course my first choice is to win the lottery so I can just enjoy my days volunteering, working out, dancing, and hanging with family

Let me add that I am fortunate to have a good paying job. I want the universe to know I am thankful  

[wanderingenough]

Nope. I like it, feel thrilled and lucky to have it, and am never upset to go to work but I don't love it.

[HoneySpider]

I'm in a weird position in that I quit my career to "do what I love" (I started a nonprofit) And most of the time I love it - I love being my own boss, I love the flexibility in WFH, I love helping people. But it's also incredibly stressful to have the weight of an entire organization on YOUR shoulders. Also, I don't get paid, so although it's my full-time job it's technically a volunteer position right now...and DH and I have been living on a pretty tight budget for the last year. It was hard going from 2 incomes to 1.

I love what I do and I want it to be my job forever and ever, but I also want to make a living doing it. I know that will happen eventually, but I don't know when.

[spankswife]

I do. I'm a CPA, and a math nerd. I appreciate how my work is like a "puzzle" and I work for a very nice company. My boss is like my life mentor (don't get me wrong, he has his days). But as far as jobs go, yes, I do.

If I won the lotto, that's another story

[cactuscookie]

No. My job is a means to an end. For a while, it was a fairly enjoyable, low-stress way to get paid, but lately, office dynamics have gotten more frustrating. I don't hate my job, but I don't like it all that much either.

But, it's still mostly low-stress, and I get paid well, so I can't complain too much.

[cactuscookie]

Aug 27, 2014 9:50:16 GMT -5 spankswife said:

I do. I'm a CPA, and a math nerd. I appreciate how my work is like a "puzzle" and I work for a very nice company. My boss is like my life mentor (don't get me wrong, he has his days). But as far as jobs go, yes, I do.

If I won the lotto, that's another story

I kind of wish I had gone this direction instead of science. My favorite days at work are the ones I get to spend working with spreadsheets. Last week, I helped our budget analyst find a mistake in a spreadsheet, and it's the most fun I've had at work in weeks.

[luv2rn4fun]

I used to love my job but not these days. I have been here for 6 1/2 years and the past couple have been on the rough side. Between all the politics, the fact that I'm the only one doing my job (which needs about 2-3 people), and now my commute- I'm just over it and ready to move on to the next chapter (2 more months!!).

It's funny because in March 2013 I wasn't sure if I was ready to quit full time and be a SAHM. After all that we've been through, I am now in a place where I cannot wait to be done. Yes, I am so thankful for the great job I have (it's definitely served it's purpose financially) and the friendships I've made here but my heart is at home right now.

If I ever go back to work it will be a self-employed position doing something along the lines of coaching (running/triathlon)/personal training people. But, this won't happen until the kid(s) are in school. Other than that, I would love to volunteer more at church and/or get involved in helping others who are going through IF/pregnancy loss.

[spankswife]

Aug 27, 2014 9:52:15 GMT -5 cactuscookie said:

Aug 27, 2014 9:50:16 GMT -5 spankswife said:

I do. I'm a CPA, and a math nerd. I appreciate how my work is like a "puzzle" and I work for a very nice company. My boss is like my life mentor (don't get me wrong, he has his days). But as far as jobs go, yes, I do.

If I won the lotto, that's another story

I kind of wish I had gone this direction instead of science. My favorite days at work are the ones I get to spend working with spreadsheets. Last week, I helped our budget analyst find a mistake in a spreadsheet, and it's the most fun I've had at work in weeks.

There's some boring work, don't get me wrong, a lot. But when I am trying to balance something, or find something, I get such a rush when I get it right or figure it out. I also like how you know you are right because it has to balance, it's black and white. There isn't much grey area in accounting, in the presentation, maybe, but not so much with the numbers themselves.

It's never too late to switch!

[luv2rn4fun]

Aug 27, 2014 9:50:16 GMT -5 spankswife said:

I do. I'm a CPA, and a math nerd. I appreciate how my work is like a "puzzle" and I work for a very nice company. My boss is like my life mentor (don't get me wrong, he has his days). But as far as jobs go, yes, I do.

If I won the lotto, that's another story

Good for you!  DH is also a CPA (works for a non-public company now after many years of working at public companies).  He doesn't love his job...in fact, this is the first job that he's okay with and not looking to leave after a year.  He has it really good where he's at (hardly works any overtime (which is unheard of for his position), great pay, great benefits, amazing coworkers, good time off, flexibility with work from home options when needed, etc) so he's not likely to leave anytime soon, if ever.

But, if he could do things over again I'm sure he would go a different route.  Yes, he's very into numbers, financials, is very detail oriented (he's one of the most anal people I know and while it's sometimes a weakness for us, it serves his job well)...but he gets more thrill out of being outdoors, fixing cars/boats, etc.  He would also love to own his own business someday but with me staying home this isn't likely to happen (especially since he wants to retire in the next 20-25 years).

[luv2rn4fun]

Aug 27, 2014 9:59:54 GMT -5 luv2rn4fun said:

Aug 27, 2014 9:50:16 GMT -5 spankswife said:

Double post and my update was eaten!

spankswife- Saw the update before your most recent one.  The boring/doing the same thing month after month is what gets DH the most.  He gets bored easily and needs to be challenged.  He likes when he has something he needs to find/fix but doesn't like the stress that comes along with tight timelines (mainly in his previous jobs) and the tedious nature of the job.

Glad you get compensated for your OT!  DH wouldn't mind working OT if that was the case!  I also agree, it's hard working a desk job when it doesn't fit your personality.  DH is more of an outdoorsy, hands on type of guy...not sure he could handle being a SAHD though (we joked about it for awhile when I loved my job and he hated his...I actually make slightly more $$ than he does so this could work)...I think the kid(s) would drive him nuts within 1 week

[spankswife]

Aug 27, 2014 9:59:54 GMT -5 luv2rn4fun said:

Aug 27, 2014 9:50:16 GMT -5 spankswife said:

I do. I'm a CPA, and a math nerd. I appreciate how my work is like a "puzzle" and I work for a very nice company. My boss is like my life mentor (don't get me wrong, he has his days). But as far as jobs go, yes, I do.

If I won the lotto, that's another story

Good for you!  DH is also a CPA (works for a non-public company now after many years of working at public companies).  He doesn't love his job...in fact, this is the first job that he's okay with and not looking to leave after a year.  He has it really good where he's at (hardly works any overtime (which is unheard of for his position), great pay, great benefits, amazing coworkers, good time off, flexibility with work from home options when needed, etc) so he's not likely to leave anytime soon, if ever.

But, if he could do things over again I'm sure he would go a different route.  Yes, he's very into numbers, financials, is very detail oriented (he's one of the most anal people I know and while it's sometimes a weakness for us, it serves his job well)...but he gets more thrill out of being outdoors, fixing cars/boats, etc.  He would also love to own his own business someday but with me staying home this isn't likely to happen (especially since he wants to retire in the next 20-25 years).

Sounds like he has a great job! I work OT, but only in tax season, and I am compensated for it, which I like (a lot). I mean work is work, but I enjoy it as far as that goes. It's hard for people who don't like desk jobs to be at a desk though. My DH is SAHD, and he is awesome at it! It just suits his nature. He could never sit at a desk.

[tacocat]

It's okay. It's better than what I've had before. I'll be leaving at Thanksgiving to be a SAHM, and I don't think I'm going to miss it. It's decent pay, but I really don't have a lot to do.

[estrellita]

I don't love as in I'd do it if I wasn't paid sort of thing, but I do really like it! I like the people and most of the work. I just wish I could move my job to my ideal place to live!

[travelbug]

I love my job most days yes! If I had to switch I definitely would, I'm not die hard for my job but it serves a purpose! I would definitely still work if we won the lottery, but I'd probably find a volunteer job as well!

[mac08]

Thanks for all the input.  My mom was a teacher (she retired 2 years ago). She always loved her job, it was just such such an essential part of who she is.  Whenever I complain about my job she is always telling me to look for a new job so that I can feel like she did about working, but I just don't think I have that in me.  I have some anxiety issues, and probably the most stressful thing for me is starting a new job.  The comfortable factor is one of the biggest things keeping me where I am.

[awick14]

I love my job, hate the politics, which will always be there.

If I won the lottery I would not quit jut lessen my hours, which would be easy to do.

[katespade]

I don't know that I would say I love my job, because I am not a particularly career driven person, but I really enjoy what I do and I enjoy the people I work with. It is exactly the kind of work I wanted to be doing once I finished up school, and I was extremely lucky to find my job before I graduated. I get a good mixture of data analytic time and employee interaction time. I am also learning an incredible amount every day, which I really enjoy.

If I won the lottery, I would stop working. That is due to my health issues, though.

[krystee]

I enjoy it and am so fortunate to have it (great benefits, really good pay, and coworkers I like), but I am not sure I'd LOVE any job.

[mrssandro]

I loved my previous job. I was transfered to a new department that I somewhat hate. It has been rough. I have made some great friends though and some days are better than others.

[megkat]

I'm kind of a SS- I've only been at my job for 2 1/2 weeks now, so I feel like it's a little early to decide. That being said, my guess would be no, I'm not going to LOVE it. I think I'm going to like it fine, and it certainly beats my old job, which I actively hated by the end.

Unfortunately, I feel like office politics are a factor at almost every job. And I do think that LOVING your job is unfortunately not realistic for most people. These days, my philosophy is that if I'm ok with my job, and I don't hate going to work, that I'm content with that.

[grover]

I love teaching my students. I don't always love the other crap that is found in my day-to-day work.

If I won the lottery I would finish out the school year, probably. I had a student last year who made me promise if I won the lottery I had to wait until just after he crossed the stage at graduation to peace out. But realistically, if I had a great group of students like last year I would finish out the year. If it was like the group I had the two years prior to last year, I make no such promises. This year the kids are pretty good, though we are still in the honeymoon stage.

[ginkgoleaf]

I'm staying at home now, but up till the end of June, I would say I liked my job just ok. I loved my boss and coworker (small office so only really had one coworker in my building) but not the drama that came with working at my company. Lots of people were leaving when I left and morale was really low. I did like doing payroll though, it was just geeky enough for me.

[tiptoetulips]

I'm also a teacher. I do love my job. I work at a great school t teach a large at risk population but my principal and staff has really built the school up and brought in some great programs got our students.

[rockinrobyn]

I like my job. I like the organization side of management and the creative side of therapy. Would I do it for free, no, but I am happy.

[Deleted]

Job, yes.

Office politics/environment? No. My job is split between myself and my coworker, and we spend 40 hours a week in the same room. Because there's no hierarchy, power struggles often come up. Often my coworker will procrastinate on something (scheduling necessary certifications, scheduling machine repair, follow up on dry cleaning,) I get frustrated and go ahead and do it. She believes I'm undermining her, but I can't get my job done if she doesn't to her tasks in a timely fashion (A.k.a., within two days rather than I'll get to it at the beginning of next week)

[Deleted]

I love what I do just not liking where I am currently working. Too many politics and they board of directors just don't seem to care about their employees and it takes forever for them to make decisions. The company is pretty much ran by one family.

[Alyssa]

Do I love my job?  No.  My job is a paycheck....a half-ass paycheck at best.  In 6 years I've only gone up $2 per hour.