The human brain is insane. I’m talking specifically about mine. We come to expect what’s happening now to happen forever. This is part of the irrational exuberance that creates bubbles and crashes in the stock market. It’s our nature and it’s hard to reign in. I caught my brain in the same trap recently. We recently received our Q3 bonuses. As I’ve mentioned before part of my compensation is a guaranteed target bonus that everyone receives unless they’re on a performance improvement plan. The rest of the bonus is discretionary and based on performance. I call this the “stretch bonus.” Continue reading “Disappointment Over Free Money (AKA Dumb Feelings)”
Category: Jobs
We’re Upper Middle Class?
Guess we need to start hanging out in a place like this – because stereotypes.
My partner brought up American classes the other day and discovered something shocking: within these weird and seemingly arbitrary classifications a household income over $200,000 OR a net worth of over $200,000 is the baseline for Upper Middle Class.
…We’re Upper Middle Class?!?! Even without my partner I’m Upper Middle Class?! That’s just baffling to me. Yes I know the bias that everyone thinks they’re Middle Class whether they make $5 million or $50,000 based on a recent NY Times article, but I still didn’t consider this. I think of Upper Middle Class people as Manhattanites that own a condo and have a club membership: not mega-spenders like the stereotypes of Upper Class, but definitely very different from what I consider my simple life. Continue reading “We’re Upper Middle Class?”
A Boss Who Listens
When I took my current job I knew what I was getting into. I was told that my client was “difficult,” but that didn’t concern me. That was the descriptor that has been given to literally every client and company I have worked with except the last one (though now that someone else is working with him they are calling him “difficult,” which is inexplicable to me). Continue reading “A Boss Who Listens”
Best Place to Work
I’m sure you’re probably sick about hearing how much I love my job 🙂 but I have an announcement. We were chosen as one of Washington’s Best Places to Work based on employee surveys! I’m really not at all surprised, but am so happy that the company – and especially its leadership – are being recognized for being the most mature, focused and patient people I’ve ever had the privilege of working for. I always feel like I’m being treated as an adult by everyone I encounter within a company. There is usually condescension, talking down and general bitchiness but not here and I really hope it stays that way. So far the team has seemed to hire the right people, but we are growing so rapidly that I’m not sure they can perform the usual due diligence.
Is My Job Turning Me Into A Recluse?
There is one aspect of my work life that has been exacerbated by moving into consulting: always being on call. When I worked at ad agencies it was expected that you were always available. That’s why employers buy or pay for their employee’s cell and data plans. They are paying for your constant availability and ability to be reached. Consulting has been an interesting change. On one hand we have a lot more power than ad agencies: my company specifically has and is completely comfortable with firing clients they do not enjoy working with. Ad agencies would never dare :). However, one of the reasons we’re paid so well is the fact that we are supposed to be always available. Continue reading “Is My Job Turning Me Into A Recluse?”
Hedonic Adaptation
Just a normal Tuesday morning
Hedonic adaptation still baffles me. The fact that no matter what happens in our lives: great or horrible, our happiness level quickly stabilizes and in my case returns to neutral. I’ve been working from home for 6 months and I’m sad to say this has happened. Continue reading “Hedonic Adaptation”
On Workplace Motivation
Will it though???
I’ve been struggling to understand something for a while: motivation. Specifically the origin of other people’s motivation at the workplace – not just to do a great job (which I also feel), but motivation to work themselves to the bone at the detriment of their health and family for their job without prompting. This isn’t a requirement for them, but they do it anyway. I seriously don’t understand it. Continue reading “On Workplace Motivation”
Tossing Early Retirement and Trading Money for Time
I received a bit of a shock last week. My Mom is applying to jobs. She’s been retired for 2 years and left corporate America at 55 after working 30 years in jobs she hated. I was more shocked to discover she’d been keeping this from me for a while. That was the saddest part. She thought I would yell at her. I didn’t. Continue reading “Tossing Early Retirement and Trading Money for Time”