Almost a year ago I wrote about my perfect job. My situation has changed, and I’ve been wanting to go back and compare my current situation with my proposed ideal job situation. So, here we go:
I can walk or bike to work.
Unfortunately, this is still not the case; I really wish it were. I suppose working from home would count, too.
I do not need to wear dress clothes, shoes, or excessive make-up. I am comfy all of the time.
This actually doesn’t bother me as much anymore, except on Tuesdays, which are my SUPER long day, in which I’m in those teacher clothes for 13-18 hours.
I work for 8 hours. Then, I am done. I do not need to take any work home, leaving me time to write, read, get outdoors, and whatever the heck else I feel like doing, without even thinking about work . . . unless I want to.
Ok, now I’m getting a bit depressed because, at this point, I’m 0-for-3. But I have had more time to explore and relax. And I am probably averaging 8 hours a-day overall. But I definitely take my work home. A lot of it.
I work a regular shift. (9-5 or close)
Nope! My main part-time job is about a regular work day, but my tutoring and writing workshop, and random else is ALL over the place. I’ve found the variety enjoyable, though.
I am given advanced notice of my schedule (not one week before).
Hmm. . . that’s fairly accurate. But sometimes it’s a week before. The worst part is tutoring cancellations. I’ve gotten some of those a few hours before I was supposed to have the appointment.
I do not need to stay late to help close up, nor take an extra shift.
Yes! I got a sure one!
I work for something I believe in. I do not support a company or sell a product that I believe isn’t good for people.
This is true if you ignore the part where I’m at a Catholic school and not Catholic, or if you ignore that I have a problem with our current educational system. Hmm . . . I don’t know if this counts as a win. But, I have to say, that despite those issues, I am pretty happy with my work environment, and my work focuses on learning, which I love.
The people I work for seek out my input, fully listen to my ideas, and may implement them (immediately!)
Hmm. . . I think this is a N/A right now. No examples come to mind.
I am appreciated, needed, and recognized.
THIS is DEFINITELY true. I’ve been truly touched by some of the feedback I’ve gotten from all of my jobs.
I am able to use my creativity.
Yes! As much as I whine about lesson planning, it does allow me to use my creativity.
Someone shows me how to get started, but I do not have someone standing over my shoulder at all hours.
Also true.
I feel like my work is making the world a better place.
True!
I am not pushing anyone to be or do anything they don’t want to be or do.
Eh. I’m not sure about this one. It’s school. There’s a lot of pushing involved in a school. And in tutoring, for that matter. Not always, but often, unfortunately.
I am not telling people what to do.
Again, it’s kind of part of the job. I do try to give my students some options, but a lot of the time I am in charge.
No one is ordering me what to do.
That is true.
I have a lunch break, and I actually get to each lunch.
Yes! Amazingly I am still a teacher, and yet, I actually eat lunch! With time left over! (Crazily enough, it’s the days I’m not teaching when I sometimes miss lunch now.
I am able to perform/present.
Yep. Teacher = me! Although, I would love it if I could actually “perform” more in my job, to be more of my goofy self, be the crazy Spanish teacher.
I may do some speaking, writing, or editing.
Speaking? Check. Writing? Check. Editing? Check. Wow!
I sometimes work in a team and sometimes alone.
True. I’m mostly alone now, but occasionally we Spanish teachers from the company will share ideas with each other, or I’ll get some ideas for tutoring from other tutors.
I do not need to attend meetings often, and if and when I do, they are short.
Well, I have more meetings than I’d like, and sometimes they go a little long, but it’s nothing compared to what I’ve experienced in the past.
I am able to move a lot, even if that means getting out of my chair frequently and walking around for a bit or stretching before I return to work.
Check! I move a lot as a teacher. I don’t move about quite as much as a tutor, but at least I know I’ll be moving after each hour.
I am not standing in one place the entire day.
Yep!
I have variety in my work. (I’m kept on my toes and not bored out of my mind!)
Absolutely!
I have a good rapport with my boss(es) and coworkers.
Yes! Super nice people!
I jump out of bed in the morning, eager to get to work.
Really? Did I really put this? Does anybody actually “jump out of bed”, “eager to get to work?” I think I was getting delusional by this point. But, I’d be happy to be wrong! Are there jumper-out-of-bed-ers among you? Hmm? On the other hand, I do enjoy my morning routine: in the car, drinking my energy tea, eating breakfast, standing outside and greeting the parents and students in the drop-off lane. Ok, now that I’m writing this, I feel like I look absolutely crazy, but I really, really do enjoy that part of my day. Except it’s really hard to drink tea and eat cereal at the same time. Gotta work on that.
I feel energized as I leave work.
Hmm. . . No. I’m still exhausted by the time I leave.
I love my job.
“No” to this one, too. There are points when I feel I love my job. I definitely like my job, but I don’t see myself doing it for the rest of my life. But maybe some people aren’t meant to have just one job. I had one job. Now I have some others jobs. And this is where life is taking me right now. And I am very content with where I am right now.
18-27 Not bad! Two-thirds? Of course, I would love to get a perfect 100%, but then I’d have to be ready to “jump out of bed” every morning, and I just don’t jump out of bed any morning. . .
Like this:
Like Loading...