Fun post to read and relatable. A common saying in our home to our kid's is "boring is important. Let's work to do boring well". We are hoping to teach that one of the rewards is the satisfaction knowing that, though it is hard, you did boring well." LOL They get to choose one fun chore and one boring chore.
To answer your question: In high school I was tired of earning money by babysitting and cleaning houses with my mom. I was ready for something different! So my mom found me a job handing out samples at a grocery store ... I lasted 2 months. It was deathly boring and I was terrible at it. I promptly went back to the harder, but more interesting job of cleaning houses. At least I could understand the goal and it had a very clear measurable outcome. Especially when we took on a new construction clean. It was satisfying to see the saw dust reveal new countertops and peeling off the film on new windows.... need I saw more? LOL
I was working in a factory that made 55 gallon drums and smaller paint cans. One of my jobs was to catch the newly-formed paint can lids after they were ejected from the press and put them in stacks. It was boring, but paid well. I took pride in my speed and even stacks. But one day the Union shop steward came over and said, “You’re working too fast. You’re taking work from other men.” So I slowed down and the job got even worse.
Prior to teaching, I worked three jobs every summer in HS/undergrad to save for and pay my college tuition: summer camp counselor (never bored!), evening check processor at a bank (boring—running paper checks through a machine!) and weekends as a law clerk (boring!) doing grunt work filing/copying. The camp job paid very little, was FT and brought me joy. The campers taught me how to teach, how to work with parents and co-workers, and the value of play and engaging children with nature. The other two jobs were PT, paid more, and taught me that even though you could make more money in a business setting, it was NOT for me! I am in Y36 of engaging with teachers and students, now mostly designing curriculum and teaching teachers, occasionally students, and it still brings me joy!
Wow, you were a teacher, lawyer, and banker at the same time as a college student! You're just missing doctor in there.
It really sounds like doing all those jobs taught you what job NOT to take. And put you on your path to do something that you love, even if it pays a bit less. That's a win.
Agency is critical! My first paycheck was working during Christmas holidays at Radio Shack at the mall. I got to chase kids around with remote controlled cars. 3 checks!
Mine was probably when I worked at the mall…I won’t name the store…but there was lots of down time when few customers were there, and I remember many hours straightening things on the shelves that were already neat just to have something to do:(
On the face of it, my most boring were my two data entry jobs — one to enter the results of a written survey about drinking, the other to update a company’s contact list. But the former was at least serving a societal purpose, and for the latter, the company CEO framed the job as being about maintaining the company’s relationships, which was foundational to what it did. The purpose-based framing helped. The worse kind of boredom has been when I was in a stimulating, engaging job but effectively became unnecessary. I used the time to apply for other jobs, pursue a hobby, and solidify my knowledge of useless references via YouTube clips.
When we get interns, I worry that they'll hate being given the contact list updating job. It's good to know that at least someone was motivated by learning how important it is (because it is).
Of the 3 work study jobs I had in college, the most boring was comparing manuscripts for discrepancies in spelling and punctuation. It was in the Special Collections floor of the library, with limited access, so that was kind of cool. But I never really understood what would be done with my work. Thankfully, my last work study, which lasted 2 years, was working for the chair of the economics department, mainly typing. I loved it because I got to interact with the faculty, and while I was a finance undergrad, I also loved economics.
Fun post to read and relatable. A common saying in our home to our kid's is "boring is important. Let's work to do boring well". We are hoping to teach that one of the rewards is the satisfaction knowing that, though it is hard, you did boring well." LOL They get to choose one fun chore and one boring chore.
To answer your question: In high school I was tired of earning money by babysitting and cleaning houses with my mom. I was ready for something different! So my mom found me a job handing out samples at a grocery store ... I lasted 2 months. It was deathly boring and I was terrible at it. I promptly went back to the harder, but more interesting job of cleaning houses. At least I could understand the goal and it had a very clear measurable outcome. Especially when we took on a new construction clean. It was satisfying to see the saw dust reveal new countertops and peeling off the film on new windows.... need I saw more? LOL
I would have liked the sample job better!
I love "do boring well." That's good.
Appreciate that.
Today l'll be introducing my subscribers
to a huge,p.r.o.f.i.t.a.b.I.e l.n.v.e.s.t.m.e.n.t Chat my 𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺 👇🏻
Daysteph
Phone compsny billing
Ew
Appreciate that.
Today l'll be introducing my subscribers
to a huge,p.r.o.f.i.t.a.b.I.e l.n.v.e.s.t.m.e.n.t Chat my 𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺 👇🏻
Daysteph
I was working in a factory that made 55 gallon drums and smaller paint cans. One of my jobs was to catch the newly-formed paint can lids after they were ejected from the press and put them in stacks. It was boring, but paid well. I took pride in my speed and even stacks. But one day the Union shop steward came over and said, “You’re working too fast. You’re taking work from other men.” So I slowed down and the job got even worse.
Oh man. The ending of that story is so depressing.
Appreciate that.
Today l'll be introducing my subscribers
to a huge,p.r.o.f.i.t.a.b.I.e l.n.v.e.s.t.m.e.n.t Chat my 𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺 👇🏻
Daysteph
Prior to teaching, I worked three jobs every summer in HS/undergrad to save for and pay my college tuition: summer camp counselor (never bored!), evening check processor at a bank (boring—running paper checks through a machine!) and weekends as a law clerk (boring!) doing grunt work filing/copying. The camp job paid very little, was FT and brought me joy. The campers taught me how to teach, how to work with parents and co-workers, and the value of play and engaging children with nature. The other two jobs were PT, paid more, and taught me that even though you could make more money in a business setting, it was NOT for me! I am in Y36 of engaging with teachers and students, now mostly designing curriculum and teaching teachers, occasionally students, and it still brings me joy!
Wow, you were a teacher, lawyer, and banker at the same time as a college student! You're just missing doctor in there.
It really sounds like doing all those jobs taught you what job NOT to take. And put you on your path to do something that you love, even if it pays a bit less. That's a win.
Agency is critical! My first paycheck was working during Christmas holidays at Radio Shack at the mall. I got to chase kids around with remote controlled cars. 3 checks!
Mine was probably when I worked at the mall…I won’t name the store…but there was lots of down time when few customers were there, and I remember many hours straightening things on the shelves that were already neat just to have something to do:(
What if I guessed that the store was Build a Bear Workshop?
Hahahahaha😀 Yup.
On the face of it, my most boring were my two data entry jobs — one to enter the results of a written survey about drinking, the other to update a company’s contact list. But the former was at least serving a societal purpose, and for the latter, the company CEO framed the job as being about maintaining the company’s relationships, which was foundational to what it did. The purpose-based framing helped. The worse kind of boredom has been when I was in a stimulating, engaging job but effectively became unnecessary. I used the time to apply for other jobs, pursue a hobby, and solidify my knowledge of useless references via YouTube clips.
When we get interns, I worry that they'll hate being given the contact list updating job. It's good to know that at least someone was motivated by learning how important it is (because it is).
Had a typo in that spot — meant to say he framed the job as being about maintaining the company’s relationships.
Aaaand of course that was exactly the part I replied to ha ha
Of the 3 work study jobs I had in college, the most boring was comparing manuscripts for discrepancies in spelling and punctuation. It was in the Special Collections floor of the library, with limited access, so that was kind of cool. But I never really understood what would be done with my work. Thankfully, my last work study, which lasted 2 years, was working for the chair of the economics department, mainly typing. I loved it because I got to interact with the faculty, and while I was a finance undergrad, I also loved economics.
As of this year, your first job would be taken by AI.
YES!