My working life started 18 years ago. After getting my First Degree, I continued with Post-graduate Diploma and later got my first job at University X where I worked for eight years. Never thought I will leave the job because I almost buy a house there. But then chances knocked my door.
Being young and workaholic I grabbed the opportunities and moved to Kuala Lumpur to work at University Y. It shocked most of my family members and friends (I was shocked myself with my own decision. LOL). I was actually among the pioneers that set-up University Y. When I look back, it was such a wonderful experience which I treasure much. We started from scratch and being a small team we were very close like a family, working day and night to get everything ready for the first batch of students. I remember each of us was only allocated a cubicle, except for the President and Vice President. When I left University Y 10 years later the total number of staff was nearly 200. It was while working at University Y I completed my Master Degree (part-time) at University A.
When the first President left University Y and new Management took over – there were mixed feelings among us who started together with him. 10 years working in University Y I never looked for another job elsewhere. But when the first President left and I was contacted by the headhunter for a Vice President post in Company B, I went for the interview without much hesitation. I attended first and second interview and got the job. But I only last for 1 year and 2 months at Company Z. It was a newly set-up company and it seems that the organizational structure was done by the consultant and I was given 2 pages job descriptions (which I was very impressed at the beginning). But when I was there not much I can contribute since my department was not yet a priority in the Company B strategic plan. I have no complained about the salary, but I did feel bored with not much works to do (except for sitting in various committees - most of the time ad-hoc!) and not many plans can be materialized with a limited budget allocation.
February 2008 I left Company B to joined University Z. It has been almost 7 months now and I don’t find working here as enjoyable as I wanted it to be. I am not sure what’s wrong! I don’t have the feeling of ‘looking_forward_to_go_to_work_everyday’ anymore! I don’t enjoy having to write reports or papers or attending meetings anymore. It is more fun ‘working’ around the house or chatting with my flowers on the balcony or walking in the park with my camera or wandering around the nursery without buying any flowers or plant.
What's wrong with me? Help! 
First Fig (Edna St Vincent Millay)
my candle burns at both ends;
it will not last the night;
but ah, my foes, and oh, my friends --
it gives a lovely light!
In the U.S. this is called burn-out and it comes when you are doing work that seems to have no value and is repetitive and boring. Try looking for something else while hanging on to this job. I know you bought a condo recently and I'm sure you will find a job that suits your imaginative ability.
ReplyDeleteYes, I think you need to do something more creative. Possibly you could find a job that
ReplyDeletehas something to do with plants, photography, outdoors. Maybe there is a job available
in the tourist industry that you would enjoy?
I agree with the other comments. Also I think you need to be challenged to keep your interest in whatever you do. I'm not a psychologist but I did study psychology in college.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I think you're feeling the urge to get back to nature and away from manmade things...
ReplyDeleteI just saw Ted Nugent on TV he is a guitar player and singer and he said you have to love what you do for a living in order to be happy. When I worked as an electrician I loved it. I took pride in my work because I created something with my hands. Bending 4 inch pipe was an art. I used to sign my name and union number and year I installed the pipe (on the top of the pipe) so you couldn't see it from the floor. Some day if they remodeled they would see my name and say this guy sure did nice work.
ReplyDelete