Doing Something "Normal"

alfrodull · Apr 21, 2008

For those of you who actually want to do something normal as a career...Working in a corporate environment, or in retail...that kind of thing (as opposed to say, being an artist or a paramedic or an astronaut)...How did you get to a point where you were okay with that? Have you just always been, or was there something that changed your mind about it?

Apollo Celestio · Apr 21, 2008

People are okay in retail? I thought that was a myth.. lol.

selfintercession · Apr 21, 2008

You have to go for what you think you're best suited for. God knows each one of us perfectly, even better than we know ourselves, and has created us so that there is that perfect something for each person. Once you find that thing that fits you properly, if you put the work in and do what you need to do, then there's no need to feel like you're settling, you should be happy where you are.

alfrodull · Apr 21, 2008

lost_and_found said:
You have to go for what you think you're best suited for. God knows each one of us perfectly, even better than we know ourselves, and has created us so that there is that perfect something for each person. Once you find that thing that fits you properly, if you put the work in and do what you need to do, then there's no need to feel like you're settling, you should be happy where you are.

I don't think this is true. I'm fairly certain there are people who would make perfectly competent lawyers or astrophysicists had they not been born in, say, a slum in Africa. Just like there were people born thousands of years ago before they were capable of building decent telescopes who would have been capable astrophysicists...It's not like we've gotten any more intelligent or that our personalities have suddenly changed over the centuries.

selfintercession · Apr 21, 2008

alfrodull said:
I don't think this is true. I'm fairly certain there are people who would make perfectly competent lawyers or astrophysicists had they not been born in, say, a slum in Africa. Just like there were people born thousands of years ago before they were capable of building decent telescopes who would have been capable astrophysicists...It's not like we've gotten any more intelligent or that our personalities have suddenly changed over the centuries.

God has a plan for each of us, whether we see it or not at this point in our lives

alfrodull · Apr 21, 2008

lost_and_found said:
God has a plan for each of us, whether we see it or not at this point in our lives

And his plan gets corrupted by sin. Hence the existence of the slum in Africa.

selfintercession · Apr 21, 2008

alfrodull said:
And his plan gets corrupted by sin. Hence the existence of the slum in Africa.

God even has a plan for people in African slums. God knew about each person's life even before He placed them on this earth

Holmes · Apr 21, 2008

I wouldn't say I want to have a normal career, but I'm going to have to get some normal/mundane jobs in order to get where I want to be. I mean, if I want to be a halfway successful writer, I'll have to get a job that can support me when I can't get published, or when something of mine doesn't sell.

I have yet to have a normal job, though...my last one was working at the city mortuary.

selfintercession · Apr 21, 2008

Holmes said:
I wouldn't say I want to have a normal career, but I'm going to have to get some normal/mundane jobs in order to get where I want to be. I mean, if I want to be a halfway successful writer, I'll have to get a job that can support me when I can't get published, or when something of mine doesn't sell.

I have yet to have a normal job, though...my last one was working at the city mortuary.

Thanks for not going into the details for us

alfrodull · Apr 22, 2008

~Lynn~ said:
I work in an office. I do nothing special. I process checks, and I mail 'em out by post or fedex, I basically run our company's mail room.

I started off with dreams of grandeur like most kids.. wanted to be a doctor, which turned into a vet, which turned into a paramedic which turned into a nurse which turned into a dental hygenist which turned into a medical office assistant which then finally just turned into "office person".

am I ok with it? You bet I am. I think as a child my boundless energy made me want to hope for the best and craziest jobs, but to be honest, as I got older and lived more in the real world rather than in my imagination, I just began to reailze that I don't -want- a complicated high-stress job. I want to love life, not be ruled by a career hanging over me ruling my every move both on and off the job. What's more, as a wife (I am both divorced, and about to be re-married) I want to have time to take care of my husband and dedicate much time to him.

I suffer from two types of depression and an anxiety condition. I don't need any more stress. I'm very happy in my office with my computer. This is the first job I've been able to keep for longer than 3 months without ending up stressed out of my mind.

I don't want to -dread- going to work every monday, either because of crazy work hours, or crazy job tasks, or complicated career, or heavy decisions.. I jsut want something to pay the bills, so I can go home and have my free time to myself and not worry about -anything-. And that is precisely what I have. Which is pure happiness for me.

~ Lynn

So at what age does mind-numbingly boring turn into low stress? I've done the office thing before, and even though I was moderately busy it felt like sensory deprivation. It may be just a maturity thing, but I'm worried it's something more.

k450ofu3k-gh-5ipe · Apr 22, 2008

I couldn't be cooped up indoors. Outdoors is for me!

E.C. · Apr 22, 2008

alfrodull said:
And his plan gets corrupted by sin.

Nah, we just don't take good notes.

I intend on being a high school history teacher. I love history, I feel it is largely a very misunderstood and greatly downplayed subject in schools. I'm hoping that as a way to help supplement the income, I can write books. Maybe even get a part time job somewhere like a restaurant.

Who needs the big wig jobs like corporate cubicals? Too much stress.

atuck00 · Apr 22, 2008

I've never had a job I didn't enjoy! I have done some pretty awful jobs too! I just find fun in whatever I do. I find a way to challenge myself and I find people who are fun! My dream job used to be working in an office, wearing a suit everyday, and working my way up in a corporation... I'm a long way from that now, but there was something exhilarating about the idea.

Shannie · Apr 22, 2008

I am finishing up school to be an accountant. I originally thought I would hate accounting but after deciding to go into the field I found a specialization I am interested in. Corporate jobs aren't necessarily mind-numbing though...mine's not. I personally find it interesting...I have worked mind-numbing office jobs before so I know they are definitely out there. I don't know if I'll stay at my job for the rest of my life or not, but if I do I'm ok with that too. I wouldn't be at the same position and the nature of the type of job I'm in is it gets more interesting the more senior you are. Also I'm in a field where you have to constantly be learning and I really like that about a job.

I have no problems with this type of job, but to be honest I am soooo unartistic that any sort of artist/writer/musician career would be a terrible fit for me and I'd be miserable and unpaid lol. So it was probably an easier choice for me than for some.

HannahBanana · Apr 22, 2008

alfrodull said:
For those of you who actually want to do something normal as a career...Working in a corporate environment, or in retail...that kind of thing (as opposed to say, being an artist or a paramedic or an astronaut)...How did you get to a point where you were okay with that? Have you just always been, or was there something that changed your mind about it?

I've just never wanted to take any real risks with my life. I've always wanted to do something safe and secure, and if that means being a corporate stooge, so be it.

selfintercession · Apr 22, 2008

~Lynn~ said:
I work in an office. I do nothing special. I process checks, and I mail 'em out by post or fedex, I basically run our company's mail room.

I started off with dreams of grandeur like most kids.. wanted to be a doctor, which turned into a vet, which turned into a paramedic which turned into a nurse which turned into a dental hygenist which turned into a medical office assistant which then finally just turned into "office person".

am I ok with it? You bet I am. I think as a child my boundless energy made me want to hope for the best and craziest jobs, but to be honest, as I got older and lived more in the real world rather than in my imagination, I just began to reailze that I don't -want- a complicated high-stress job. I want to love life, not be ruled by a career hanging over me ruling my every move both on and off the job. What's more, as a wife (I am both divorced, and about to be re-married) I want to have time to take care of my husband and dedicate much time to him.

I suffer from two types of depression and an anxiety condition. I don't need any more stress. I'm very happy in my office with my computer. This is the first job I've been able to keep for longer than 3 months without ending up stressed out of my mind.

I don't want to -dread- going to work every monday, either because of crazy work hours, or crazy job tasks, or complicated career, or heavy decisions.. I jsut want something to pay the bills, so I can go home and have my free time to myself and not worry about -anything-. And that is precisely what I have. Which is pure happiness for me.

~ Lynn

Sounds like you found something that's perfect for you

MaybeMethuselah · Apr 22, 2008

Well, to me, it's not my job that I really focus on. It's my life. My life can be and is amazing because of Christ! My job is a way to provide and reach out to others but it isn't really my focus.

youthwalk · Apr 22, 2008

alfrodull said:
For those of you who actually want to do something normal as a career...Working in a corporate environment, or in retail...that kind of thing (as opposed to say, being an artist or a paramedic or an astronaut)...How did you get to a point where you were okay with that? Have you just always been, or was there something that changed your mind about it?

I'm doing both. I work at a graduate business school which is highly corporate. In Marketing and communications. I coordinate advertising and I design publications.

I'm also an artist. I have my online portfolio and hopefully an exhibition soon and I have started selling and realising that people are genuinely into my work.

When I was younger my mother tried to steer me away from getting into art. She'd say "you'll always be an artist. No one can take your talent." That's cool, but for the most part she was very opposed to it and we disagreed all the time. But, alas, she can't fight my nature . My eldest sister is a successful jewellry designer and I'm now settling into being a "practicing artist". She's understanding that I will incorporate art and design into my life...corporate job, degrees and all.

cloudstrife007 · Apr 22, 2008

Everyone has their own likes and dislikes. What one person finds boring may be highly appealing for another.
God does have his plans for us, even with jobs that we might not enjoy.
It's encouraging to hear others enjoying what they do.

To those who aren't following or are following corporate path. What led you away from it or what keeps you at it?

youthwalk · Apr 22, 2008

I agree.

for me, the corporate path lends some stability to my life; it's a good steady job and if I wanted to move up, I could. however, I don't want to right now.
I'd like to grow in terms of my art. I'm cementing myself now, so I need that t be a huge part of my life. The corporate stuff provides a guaranteed pay check right now.

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