Should I feel guilty that I'm not interested in work anymore?

So I’ve had a few issues, and I am after happy with pay / benefits etc, but its not that. I’ve known for about 2 years now that my “Career” turned into a “Job”.

Its just that when asked to work hard, or above an beyond, I’m just not interested – I’d rather be doing something else.

Don’t get me wrong, I’ve been working 8-8pm (I’m on a 37.5hr permanent contract) on some important stuff this week and am happy to pull my weight, but others have been working til 2am, and also I’ve been asked to do some work research over the Christmas break for an important project(for which I booked annual leave) and I just dont want to do it, to the point I’ll find some excuse not to have done it when I return in Jan.

Is being uninterested in work a bad thing – am I a wrong ‘un?

I feel the same way about my job. I only really work hard when I need to and normally leave things until there is a bit of pressure as nothing else motivates me. Hard to find another job in the industry at the minute and am happy with the pay but the atmosphere at work is terrible.

I’m glad I’m not the only one. I’ve been in the same job for 4 years now and I enjoy it but when it comes to working above and beyond I can always think of something else I’d rather be doing, even if that something else isn’t something I would ordinarily want to do.

Anything but work tends to be my ethos now. I can live with it, not sure my employer can though.

I wouldn’t over think it. I don’t

MRanger156 – Member
I feel the same way about my job. I only really work hard when I need to and normally leave things until there is a bit of pressure as nothing else motivates me. Hard to find another job in the industry at the minute and am happy with the pay but the atmosphere at work is terrible.

I should have put that in the original post – I’ll do the same – spend a fair bit of time doing not much then cram 2 exhaustive hours in.

Problem is I’m supposed to be a “Subject Matter Expert” – except I’ve lost interest in the subject.

“Work to live, not live to work” someone once said, and it’s true.

“Work to live, not live to work” someone once said, and it’s true.

Yeah, I agree with that sentiment. Although those that truly love their work will say otherwise. Fair enough I suppose.

No – especaily if they treat you like shite expecting massive hours from you

+1 for OP & MRanger156…

Do you still want to be doing this shit in ten years time Stan?
You need a plan.
;¬)

I had the same thought the other night but, and its a big but: What else would I want to do?

I think that is my main problem is the things I want to do are unlikely to be be achievable whilst maintaining the lifestyle I want.

Do you still want to be doing this shit in ten years time Stan?
You need a plan.
;¬)

Grrr – whose that?

TBH, from a convienience/family protecting benefits/time to ride perspective, yes. Its just at times like this I look around and see where the moeny and promotions are going and although I do my job to the highest ability, I do that easily mainly because of extensive experience. Theres no challenge, or obvious step on the career ladder. All I foresee is those around me moving onwards and upwards while I fade into the wallpaper.

I’m only inspired to find other reason to makie my day exciting.

gawd no! you shouldn’t feel guilty!
I have an awesome job with good pay for my field but I’m totally unmotivated and fed up with it. I have no incentive and it’s showing in my family life as well. Fortunately the missus takes no crap and inserts regular rockets up my arse. If you’re waiting for a lottery win or similar to come along then just forget it. IT WON’T HAPPEN, and if anyone comes along and says you have to make it happen then tell them to f### off…and then make that happen 🙂
Everyone is down at the mo and it’ll probably stay that way until spring when all the flowers come out and the birdies start atwittering (I’m not gay).

We’ve got to ride this gloom out.

spend a fair bit of time doing not much then cram 2 exhaustive hours in.

No – especaily if they treat you like shite expecting massive hours from you

I don’t think we’re talking slavery here, Teej

I’d agree with scarypants to a degree. When I say “not much”, I mean working, yes, but with one eye on STW for example, as you can see is happening today.

Im mean,working 60 hours when paid for 37.5 isn’t exactly slavery (I work in a software company), but of you were working in euroland wouldnt be the norm either. You could take a different view if I was being forced to work those additonal hours down t’pit.

Don’t get me wrong, I’ve been working 8-8pm (I’m on a 37.5hr permanent contract) on some important stuff this week and am happy to pull my weight, but others have been working til 2am

Nope, won’t do it. If it’s beyond my contracted hours, and the employer isn’t paying extra or giving time in lieu then I won’t work it.

Been caught in that trap before and it benefits no one. Not even the employer as they won’t learn to correctly time manage their staff/projects – except they assume staff will be happy to put in unpaid hours to ‘help out’.

By the way I love my job and career – but I won’t have an employer take the piss.

MRanger156 – Member
I had the same thought the other night but, and its a big but: What else would I want to do?

I think that is my main problem is the things I want to do are unlikely to be be achievable whilst maintaining the lifestyle I want.

I am not so bothered about maintaining my current lifestyle. As long as I have enough money to pay the mortgage, go out a few times a month & buy bike bits when they break, I would be happy to jump into something new & work my way up again.
BUT, as you say above – I have no idea what it is that I would like to do…

You could take a different view if I was being forced to work those additonal hours down t’pit.

You’re okay on that front, Thatcher sorted it for you 😉 see, she was good for something

You’re a wrong ‘un but not for the reasons you state.

Topov = Karlos BTW

Ah, cheers. I know who you are Teasel

I thought he was boycotting forums – maybe just “that one” eh? He’s right though, I do need a plan, I’m drifting along a bit with work TBH…..

I wish I knew who I was.

Should I feel guilty that I’m not interested in work anymore?

No.

Time for a change though me thinks.

I felt the same for a long while. Managed to change employer this year though and it’s been great. basically a very similar job, but with no expectation of working extra hours for nothing, plus it’s nearer to home so I can ride in when fit, and there are fewer office arguments to nark me.

It is possible to do the same job, but in a different company, and be a lot happier.

I realise I was dead lucky to find this job, but have some faith/hope it can happen.

Work eh? It’s a bugger – why is it that an enjoyable job equals low pay, and a not so enjoyable job equals high pay? A sweeping generalisation I know, but it seems to hold true so often. It’s so very hard to find something you really like that also pays enough to live on!
I’m so broke that I had to apply for a Debt Relief Order, but I love my job, and really, really wouldn’t want to go back to working in an office – not that anyone would want me at my age 😕

stumpy01 – Member

As long as I have enough money to pay the mortgage, go out a few times a month & buy bike bits when they break, I would be happy to jump into something new & work my way up again.
BUT, as you say above – I have no idea what it is that I would like to do…

Stumpy really sums it up here. Perhaps I shouldnt be so flippant about things being so dull.

After 20 years as a Lighting Engineer I decided about 10yrs ago that I’d had enough of the stress of running big contracts, working silly hours and having no life outside work so in the notice went – I spent some time running my own business but that also was endless hours so jacked that it and signed up with an agency so i could try a few different things. some were good, some were cack but I managed to find a job that I enjoyed so for the last 6 years I’ve been in a job that is community based and I love it. The money is about half of what I was earning 10yrs ago but the house is bought and paid for, as is the car, and theres enough to pay the bills and put food on the table. I get to work with Yodagoat and spend each working day out and about and even have a “work” MTB to ride around on.
If you’re at the couldn’t give a s**t stage then have a think about what you’d like to do – I don’t think there’s much chance these days of doing what I did and trying out a few things but if you can juggle your finances and do without some of the extras that have become essentials in a lot of folks lives then go for it – there are a lot of positives to a simpler less stressed life 🙂