Tuesday, September 20, 2005
How to balance?
A few months ago I was given a directive by my boss to implement a new product size extension. It's a pretty daunting project and has the potential to increase sales by over a million dollars in its first season. If I can pull this off right, I can come off as a hero and there might be a promotion for me in it.
A few years ago, I would have gone into this project wholeheartedly, put all my energy into it just for the sheer joy of proving I could do it. But I have done that in my job so many times and gotten such paltry returns that I no longer have the enthusiasm. And more importantly, I don't want anything to get in the way of the momentum I am building with my true path projects. Unfortunately, though, I am not in the position of refusing this project, unless I am prepared to leave my job, which I am not yet ready to do. So now I am looking at ways to make this project work, but in a way that doesn't compromise my work on my true path. I'm making it all up as I go along, but I feel compelled to do it.
A few years ago, I would have gone into this project wholeheartedly, put all my energy into it just for the sheer joy of proving I could do it. But I have done that in my job so many times and gotten such paltry returns that I no longer have the enthusiasm. And more importantly, I don't want anything to get in the way of the momentum I am building with my true path projects. Unfortunately, though, I am not in the position of refusing this project, unless I am prepared to leave my job, which I am not yet ready to do. So now I am looking at ways to make this project work, but in a way that doesn't compromise my work on my true path. I'm making it all up as I go along, but I feel compelled to do it.
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Hi Vidya
This is just a suggestion--feel free to ignore it.
You wrote,
"...But I have done that in my job so many times and gotten such paltry returns that I no longer have the enthusiasm...."
Understandable. But what makes you think this time will be any different?
1) It appears that, having been "given a directive", your employer is requiring you to perform simply to keep your job. Expect nothing other than wages.
2) If you want greater rewards, you must negotiate them in advance. In this case, you have to be willing to walk from your job, not just as a negotiating threat--which is a very bad ploy--but in your own mind.
So you could consider looking for another job--with your experience and skills you should have no trouble finding something better at another company--and consider your offers. Then you can go back to your employer and say, "Look, I've been offered another job and, unless you can persuade me to stay, I'm going to accept." If your employer says, "It's been great having you here", you know that you will never be able to expect anything else from your current emplolyer. Then go elsewhere.
If your employer really values you, they will ask you what it will take to keep you on. Then you can negotiate something more than wages, whatever that might be. If you really want rewards from your current job, you might consider offering your employer an investement in the company in exchange for a greater return.
Whatever your true path/new path is, you still need to make a living, and you can best make a living doing what you do best.
Post a Comment
This is just a suggestion--feel free to ignore it.
You wrote,
"...But I have done that in my job so many times and gotten such paltry returns that I no longer have the enthusiasm...."
Understandable. But what makes you think this time will be any different?
1) It appears that, having been "given a directive", your employer is requiring you to perform simply to keep your job. Expect nothing other than wages.
2) If you want greater rewards, you must negotiate them in advance. In this case, you have to be willing to walk from your job, not just as a negotiating threat--which is a very bad ploy--but in your own mind.
So you could consider looking for another job--with your experience and skills you should have no trouble finding something better at another company--and consider your offers. Then you can go back to your employer and say, "Look, I've been offered another job and, unless you can persuade me to stay, I'm going to accept." If your employer says, "It's been great having you here", you know that you will never be able to expect anything else from your current emplolyer. Then go elsewhere.
If your employer really values you, they will ask you what it will take to keep you on. Then you can negotiate something more than wages, whatever that might be. If you really want rewards from your current job, you might consider offering your employer an investement in the company in exchange for a greater return.
Whatever your true path/new path is, you still need to make a living, and you can best make a living doing what you do best.
# posted by 
: 3:10 PM
: 3:10 PM<< Home
