This is an difficult challenge. I am seeing this in the financial services industry as well. We earn our degrees and credentials and get these "dream jobs" that ultimately aren't fulfilling. So much of what we do takes the soul right out of our work. I think it has a lot to do with the drive for efficiency and industrialization of everything. If we can't get a robot to do the work, we will at least turn the worker into a robot!
Welcome to my life. I'm the Deputy Director of Medicaid for the State of MD. The Medicaid cuts are cruel and inhumane. People will quite literally die without Medicaid services. On top of that, both of my bosses announced their resignations last week. One to take a cabinet position in Olympia, WA running their state health plan, and my direct boss - to go find herself in another career as a wellness coach. We have a statewide hiring freeze so I can't fill the 50% vacancy rate in my nursing division, nor is it likely my bosses will be replaced anytime soon, so I'll be doing their job too.
Anja, this is a beautifully written and heart-panging post on what our lives have turned into. I run my own business, so I don't have to do the meetings and others don't pressure me. But all the rest--the push to "go viral" and the stupid blogs and the exportation of content is wretched. Mostly I've stopped doing social media, instead focusing on direct contact with my people, and that is working just fine.
I think it’s time for me to be attending more workshops of yours and chatting with you! I don’t think this viral, social media centric work changes until creative people start pulling away and refusing to work under those conditions.
This is an difficult challenge. I am seeing this in the financial services industry as well. We earn our degrees and credentials and get these "dream jobs" that ultimately aren't fulfilling. So much of what we do takes the soul right out of our work. I think it has a lot to do with the drive for efficiency and industrialization of everything. If we can't get a robot to do the work, we will at least turn the worker into a robot!
Oooof, my heart. I'm so sad to hear more industries are feeling like this.
Welcome to my life. I'm the Deputy Director of Medicaid for the State of MD. The Medicaid cuts are cruel and inhumane. People will quite literally die without Medicaid services. On top of that, both of my bosses announced their resignations last week. One to take a cabinet position in Olympia, WA running their state health plan, and my direct boss - to go find herself in another career as a wellness coach. We have a statewide hiring freeze so I can't fill the 50% vacancy rate in my nursing division, nor is it likely my bosses will be replaced anytime soon, so I'll be doing their job too.
Should we all just become wellness coaches?? Since we're all doing SO WELL? 🙄
I'm sorry, that really sucks. I don't know what we're all supposed to do.
I've worked in PR for 30+ years. I have lived every single word of this post.
Glad I’m not alone, but also…whooooof
Uggggh. I am SO. Sorry.
Thank you. Man, it is TOUGH to have an impact right now.
Anja, this is a beautifully written and heart-panging post on what our lives have turned into. I run my own business, so I don't have to do the meetings and others don't pressure me. But all the rest--the push to "go viral" and the stupid blogs and the exportation of content is wretched. Mostly I've stopped doing social media, instead focusing on direct contact with my people, and that is working just fine.
I think it’s time for me to be attending more workshops of yours and chatting with you! I don’t think this viral, social media centric work changes until creative people start pulling away and refusing to work under those conditions.