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Wednesday, October 8, 2003

Chosing the career that’s right for you! -- TheJudge || Post in the forum

How can you make it in this world of rivalry and competition? By you, I mean a lazy bastard like myself. Well initially, it requires a lot of efforts but the pay off in the end is huge.

I’ve had conversations with many people on-line asking for advice about career paths. I always had a job since I was 14 years old. I never relied on politics or contacts to get me work. Actually, I turned down some offers because I didn’t want to get in because I knew someone. Or worse, because my parents new someone. I wanted to make it on my own. And I’ve been hard working ever since.

Then I realized something critical. Something so simple, yet something you quickly forget. Over the years, I became a corporate whore. Working long hours. Giving 110% all the time and making my way up the corporate ladder. Then, work took over my life. Sure, I made plenty of cash, I have plenty of toys, but I can’t play with them. Because I spend too much time at work. And then there’s the love life. Since my time became limited, when ever I had some, I had to spend it with the loved ones. And after a while, I became miserable because I never took any time for me.

So that’s the mistake you don’t want to make. Don’t put work before your own needs. Don’t put anyone else before your own needs. Now I can hear you protest already. “But Judge, I don’t want to be a pizza boy forever! I want to make some cash! I want to buy some cool shit!” Well I’m not saying you can’t. I’m saying plan ahead so you can have both the cash and the freedom to enjoy it.

So how do you do this? First, get a fucking education. Without a degree, you have no chance at those good paying jobs. Pick a field that you like, but pick a field that is also very technical and specialized. Like informatics for example. Then, when it’s time to get a job, look for a position where you are the only expert in your field. Don’t join a big IT shop where you are just a number and everyone else is doing the same thing you are doing. Go where you can work on your own terms. Essentially, make sure your boss has no clue what the hell you are talking about and what the hell you do.

Pick someone who can let you manage your own work. All that matters is that you deliver results. And that is the key. You have a task, you have a timeframe. If you can pull it off in 2 days instead of 5, then that leaves 3 days for you to goof around. Just pretend it took you 5 days. And how do you think your boss will determine an appropriate deadline when he has no clue what you do? Simple: He’ll ask you. So be very generous when giving out numbers. Don’t try to impress anyone by setting tight deadlines and then not meeting them. Do the opposite. That way, you’ll meet your deadlines all the time. And that will be very impressive. You’ll get the professional reputation you want in no time. Just remember to stay away from people who understand your field. They will see trough your game so fast and then it will hurt.

Finally, pretend you are always overworked, overloaded, and tired. That allows you to gain sympathy from your boss and this can have two beneficial effects. He’ll give you a break and give you less work. Or he’ll let you delegate. Why do something when someone else can?

And that, my friends, is how you need to view the workplace if you want to keep a balanced life. We spend too much time at work. We work, we sleep, we eat, and then there is little time left in the day for you to fulfill your own needs. So keep a balance and minimize the work while maximizing the pay.

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