When I contracted (for many years) I always told my employers at the time "my job is to return the value I cost, or more" and that if somehow I couldn't, I'd quit. I never had to quit. Sometimes I'd pivot internally as "it's what the company needs".
It was always a healthy relationship with my customers/employers.
I learnt early on that work is such a big part of life; why suck, or barely scrape the bottom of the barrel 40+ hours a week? Isn't that a complete waste of a life?
You might as well strive at being in the top 5% of "your people".
My business motto has always been "Find good people and do good work" - note that I don't say "the best people" or "amazing work". With age comes pragmatism; life isn't a self-help book. Having good people means that no matter the work, how terrible of a slog it is, you still wake up to work and look forward to the next week; even if this one stank! Surround yourself with people that care, that take it upon themselves to improve and that have your back (no genius psychopaths).
Sure I've come across a plethora of oxygen stealers and time robbers, and I could count on my right hand the people I'd chase up to work with again...
The key is to not let the bad apples ruin your experience (and sometimes, they're overwhelming all over, at every level, and you have no choice but to move on). Take pride in your work and ignore the bad apples. If the business is any good, they'll get weeded out. Constructive honesty works. And if you talk yourself out of job, it wasn't the one. A good dose of daily humour certainly helps.
Jobs in our industry, we change like we change cars. Often we get more jobs than cars actually. So don't get too precious about your first scratch...
Many CEO, CTO, manager, whatever, will recognise quality in their people if they see it. Weasels have a limited shelf time. No matter how good they're at lying, they're scared of people who confidently do a good job quietly. Eventually they'll stand naked in the spotlight without any excuses.
Any job worth doing, is worth doing well - my father said, he was always inspired by the Japanese culture.
When I found myself in a daily slog, I found that routine was extremely important. That walk to coffee. That walk at lunch time. That little detour during commute. Whatever could be small wins throughout the day, I'd take it. It helped the drudged work where I was stuck in for a while, because having nothing to look forward to, is depression.
Work is a marathon, not a race; even if the industry wants you to believe that you're missing out, you're too slow, etc. As long as you can sleep with yourself at night, and it brings the pay check, strive to do your best in any condition and accept the things you cannot change. But don't let bad people define your work.
When I contracted (for many years) I always told my employers at the time "my job is to return the value I cost, or more" and that if somehow I couldn't, I'd quit. I never had to quit. Sometimes I'd pivot internally as "it's what the company needs".
It was always a healthy relationship with my customers/employers.
I learnt early on that work is such a big part of life; why suck, or barely scrape the bottom of the barrel 40+ hours a week? Isn't that a complete waste of a life?
You might as well strive at being in the top 5% of "your people".
My business motto has always been "Find good people and do good work" - note that I don't say "the best people" or "amazing work". With age comes pragmatism; life isn't a self-help book. Having good people means that no matter the work, how terrible of a slog it is, you still wake up to work and look forward to the next week; even if this one stank! Surround yourself with people that care, that take it upon themselves to improve and that have your back (no genius psychopaths).
Sure I've come across a plethora of oxygen stealers and time robbers, and I could count on my right hand the people I'd chase up to work with again...
The key is to not let the bad apples ruin your experience (and sometimes, they're overwhelming all over, at every level, and you have no choice but to move on). Take pride in your work and ignore the bad apples. If the business is any good, they'll get weeded out. Constructive honesty works. And if you talk yourself out of job, it wasn't the one. A good dose of daily humour certainly helps.
Jobs in our industry, we change like we change cars. Often we get more jobs than cars actually. So don't get too precious about your first scratch...
Many CEO, CTO, manager, whatever, will recognise quality in their people if they see it. Weasels have a limited shelf time. No matter how good they're at lying, they're scared of people who confidently do a good job quietly. Eventually they'll stand naked in the spotlight without any excuses.
Any job worth doing, is worth doing well - my father said, he was always inspired by the Japanese culture.
When I found myself in a daily slog, I found that routine was extremely important. That walk to coffee. That walk at lunch time. That little detour during commute. Whatever could be small wins throughout the day, I'd take it. It helped the drudged work where I was stuck in for a while, because having nothing to look forward to, is depression.
Work is a marathon, not a race; even if the industry wants you to believe that you're missing out, you're too slow, etc. As long as you can sleep with yourself at night, and it brings the pay check, strive to do your best in any condition and accept the things you cannot change. But don't let bad people define your work.