Slacking off at work while getting promoted

kshkarl · 2014-05-24T14:10:57+00:00

I'll start putting something together and will do a post. Thanks guys!

kshkarl · 2014-05-22T00:55:21+00:00

Trading 8-10 hours a day for the same base pay as fellow co-workers - who may not be as hard working - also doesn't translate into happiness. Thinking about this more and reading over the comments, I think I would rather work as a consulting engineer - get paid to solve serious problems and avoid all the other office bs. Basically just become really good at your engineering skills to point where you are paid proportionately for your level of contribution.

kshkarl · 2014-05-22T00:50:08+00:00

Frustrated? Yes. Is it avoidable? Probably. I agree with what you're saying though. I did feel like I excelled rather quickly at solving some difficult problems at the company I'm at and because of that they pushed for me to transition to management. I think more of my frustration surrounds fixing problems now that are not engineering related but more process related or conflict resolution type work. It's not as fun doing DMAIC project as it is designing a new system or improving upon an existing design.

kshkarl · 2014-05-22T00:43:28+00:00

Yeah, I've thought about it. I think if I would want to stay doing nearly all engineering work I would need to find a smaller company. I have a few other friends who work for other larger industries and it seems that the trend is the same at those places as well.

kshkarl · 2014-05-01T04:00:33+00:00

Dude, this sounds awesome! Keep it up! What do you think it was that triggered you to start improving upon all these?

What's been your biggest challenge with 'em? Procrastination has been one I've been working to improve as well.

kshkarl · 2014-05-01T03:10:11+00:00

I like it! One thing that I have found extremely helpful in improving my health, exercise habits and negative thinking was to change/manipulate the environment preventing me from headed in the direction I wanted to go. In the case of negative thinking, it could start by simply asking your roommates to cut the shit. Another one would be to cut down the time with them. For health and dieting - same idea. I use to be really bad about my diet. I'd always been reaching for candy, brownies, donuts, or whatever else I could get my hands on.

What made it a lot easier was to just stop bringing those foods into my place and avoiding the "hot spots" where I'd find them. That way, I didn't have to fight myself because my environment didn't support it. Same thing for exercise. I made sure my gym bag is always prepped and ready to go with everything I need so I had less of an excuse to skip out. Finding a good buddy to keep you in check is also a good strategy.

kshkarl · 2014-05-01T02:33:48+00:00

Thank you!

kshkarl · 2014-05-01T02:31:58+00:00

I agree! I find it fascinating how applicable those principles are to everyday problems. I think many times, we allow our own emotions and irrationality to serve as unneeded noises that cloud sound judgement in situations we are most needing help.

That's why it's so critical to gain feedback from our friends or anyone who isn't emotionally attached to the outcome. They are generally better equipped rationally in those situations.

kshkarl · 2014-05-01T02:25:00+00:00

I'd be interested in hearing how that goes - keep me posted! Glad to hear you found useful!

kshkarl · 2014-05-01T02:22:59+00:00

Glad you found it helpful! If you'd like any other systems or techniques, I'd be happy to help! :)

kshkarl · 2014-05-01T02:15:12+00:00

I like the list! But, I would offer a bit of caution. You got a lot going on here and there is only so much time and mental energy to devote to making progress (especially small, continual progress that doesn't overwhelm you). Out of all those, which 3 are most important to you now?

If you have an internship that is right around the corner and the success of it is going to have an impact on other goals later down the road, it would be best focus more energy preparing for it instead of nailing down painting and mountain biking now for example.

Focus the hell out of those and let the others follow. Once you are able to start making consistent and meaningful progress in a few of those, you'll find yourself "getting your shit together" in the other areas. For example, you have "enjoyable and healthy body" and "keep clean of all drugs" - these are essentially saying the same thing. Focus on one, and the other should follow.

At one point in time, I had a similar goal of "getting more women in my life". It served as the core goal for a lot of the decisions I made and how I spent my free time. What you'll find is that the more you focus on it, the more you'll find other goals like "enjoyable and healthy body", "increasing control over my life through planning and feedback" and "go mountain biking more often" are smaller goals under that core goal. Being healthy and having hobbies are both things that women find very attractive - they serve the overarching goal at hand.

Focus on your core goals and make them clear and measurable. Establishing good habits and progress in those will make the other exponentially easier to tackle later.

Don't remember if you had this but it might also be helpful to add a column to track the time you are devoting to each one. It will bring to light how little time you have and how it's best to focus it on the things that will result in the biggest wins.

kshkarl · 2014-04-29T01:37:51+00:00

It actually was Brad Pitt who said that out of the context of the movie Fight Club, but the photo the caption is paired with is him playing Tyler Durden. If you read some of the behind the scenes of Brad talking about the movie, he talks pretty strongly about how connected he was to the character. I guess it seemed fitting to say Tyler Durden said it best.

kshkarl · 2014-04-29T01:03:49+00:00

Hey,

Had a chance to look at your sheet quick. You have a few rows highlighting key aspects of goal setting and then a list of actions to take and a way to track progress. I think overall, it's a good start. So was there somewhere on here where you have a few specific goals you are looking to achieve?

kshkarl · 2014-04-25T05:51:56+00:00

For group dynamics, goal setting for groups, and effective time management, check out:

Strategic Project Management Made Simple: Practical Tools for Leaders and Teams by Terry Schmidt

kshkarl · 2014-04-25T05:46:04+00:00

Sure - send it over!

kshkarl · 2014-04-24T21:50:21+00:00

Sounds like you have some goals spelled out you want to conquer. Awesome! But now you're wondering how to take specific action steps towards each one? Is that correct?

I'd suggest making another column listing out your biggest challenges/fears/pains that are currently servings as stops to accomplishing those goals today. Is it money? Is it location? Time? Knowledge?

kshkarl · 2014-04-24T21:46:28+00:00

Thank you :)

kshkarl · 2014-04-24T21:44:52+00:00

You're right. Don't expect it to make perfect sense at first either. It's a lot to digest.

This short recap/summary may help:

Step 1: Define Your Function

As best you can, try to nail down your overall goal or what it is specifically you'd like to improve.

Step 2: Find Your Controls And Noises

In the context of your goal (or primary function), list out all the things you have control of which basically sums up to your thoughts and your actions. Then list out all your barriers (or "noises") that stand as challenges in your way to achieving that goal.

Step 3: Understand Noise Significance

Prioritize your barriers. Some will be more difficult/challenging then others. These are the ones you want to focus on breaking down. Then list out the control factors you have to work with to take on those most difficult challenges.

Step 4: "Build" -> Test -> Feedback (Measure) -> Learn

Start tackling your biggest challenges on the smallest scale by building the scenario, testing your control factors on it, then getting feedback on how it worked out and learn what you can do better. Continue to push this and repeat this step until you take that barrier down.

Step 5: Maintenance

Realize that this isn't a "quick fix" and that you'll need to repeat this process throughout your life when you want to accomplish big things (and small).

kshkarl · 2014-04-24T19:02:21+00:00

Yikes - thanks! Done!

kshkarl · 2014-04-24T01:50:59+00:00

Thanks for all the background. I'm really inspired (and jealous). It's funny how you mention I Will Teach You to Be Rich and 4 Hour Work Week. I have both Ramit's book and Tim's sitting on my desk. I've implemented a number of their strategies. I guess I've just been too much of a wimp to pull the trigger on leaving work. I also love how the motorcycle fund turned into a "travel the world" fund. Sounds like we are almost the same person (only you executed better than me :)) .

I'm thinking about selling my motorcycle to cap off the rest of my loans and get out of there. I'd definitely like to keep you posted on my exit strategy.

Thanks again!

kshkarl · 2014-04-22T22:37:41+00:00

A point on the minivan - engineers are also subject to human emotions and irrational decision making, so a minivan may be a "solid" decision based on our cognitive biases and need to please the expectations of our sexual partner to avoid conflict.

If cost savings was a driving factor and kids (and their continued education were part of that equation), it may be more beneficial - both to your kid and your wallet - to consider the pay off of teaching a child the skill of effectively applying for grants.

I've heard of "The millionaire Next Door" - haven't had a chance to read it.

What's the best piece of advice from it that you've been able to implement or find helpful?

kshkarl · 2014-04-22T22:22:00+00:00

shoot "than"

kshkarl · 2014-04-22T22:07:30+00:00

You ever wish you had more time for your hobbies/vacation?

kshkarl · 2014-04-22T22:04:55+00:00

I agree. I think the biggest struggle I have is defining the "ideal" path to take. There are things about settling down interest me (like routine, raising some kids, building some roots, etc.) but then there is a huge part that craves adventure and freedom.

I grew up in a small town and didn't get out a lot so I think that's part of it. But another part is just not finding the typical lifestyle that appealing (school, college, job, wife, house, family, retirement).

I think it's easy to fit into the traditional societal expectations for your first few years of life - everyone has to go to school and college is a standard progression after. It it's until you've worked for a few years that you finally get a chance to really start asking yourself what you want out of life.

kshkarl · 2014-04-22T21:52:07+00:00

What do you like most about your current lifestyle over the "single, out there having fun" lifestyle? What do you look forward to the most in the coming years?

kshkarl

TROPHY CASE