Tuesday 12 June 2007

it's days like today...


That I appreciate my normal job and things like this...


The super-duper coffee machine at Chevron hehe. Today was a loooooooong day... I started just after 8am and finished up just before 6pm - it was absolutely non-stop from start to finish and I am just glad that that's it for another week at Chevron. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy the work at Chevron, it's really interesting and the busyness keeps me on my toes - but the amount of admin work that we have to do is absolutely nuts! (I think because I have been spoilt in my normal job by having access to admin staff who can type stuff, do data entry, order stuff, call people, take messages and all of that stuff - I am really feeling the difference on my days at do-everything-yourself-Chevron. I guess it goes to show you that we shouldn't take anything for granted).

I must point out however, that though these hours seem long to me, a lot of people work really long hours - I met some of them today. One guy told me he works on average from 7am to 7pm every day. He said that he has to because his boss works from 4am to 6pm every day - and that's the only way he can keep up with the work - crazy stuff man! So remembering that guy, I feel a bit better - and I thank God that I am not an engineer. =)

It makes me wonder though, because a lot of these guys have young families, and though they work hard to provide for their families, their working long hours makes them miss out on spending quality time with their wife and kids. I talked to one of the guys about this and he is aware of the problem this creates but says it comes part and parcel with the type of job that he does. I think that's when you know that your job has taken over your life. The thing is that these guys didn't plan it to be this way - I don't think anyone would intentionally do so. But what starts out to be something that is a part of your life can quickly take over and become your life.

I don't think it will happen to girls as much as guys - because a lot of us will end up in the ultimate full-time job of being a mum (talk about long hours man! Mums never stop!) - but I think everyone has that potential to become a workaholic. Some have less potential than others (i.e. yours truly), but it's something for all of us freshies in the workforce to keep in mind. Easier said than done of course writes the one who skipped prayer meeting because she was 'too knackered' :(

Lord, help us to use every day for You. Help us to keep the important things in life important, and help us to do everything to glorify You always. You know the struggles we have in our lives, so Lord, please give us the strength that we need to overcome these now and in the future. In Jesus' name, Amen.

No comments:

Tuesday 12 June 2007

it's days like today...


That I appreciate my normal job and things like this...


The super-duper coffee machine at Chevron hehe. Today was a loooooooong day... I started just after 8am and finished up just before 6pm - it was absolutely non-stop from start to finish and I am just glad that that's it for another week at Chevron. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy the work at Chevron, it's really interesting and the busyness keeps me on my toes - but the amount of admin work that we have to do is absolutely nuts! (I think because I have been spoilt in my normal job by having access to admin staff who can type stuff, do data entry, order stuff, call people, take messages and all of that stuff - I am really feeling the difference on my days at do-everything-yourself-Chevron. I guess it goes to show you that we shouldn't take anything for granted).

I must point out however, that though these hours seem long to me, a lot of people work really long hours - I met some of them today. One guy told me he works on average from 7am to 7pm every day. He said that he has to because his boss works from 4am to 6pm every day - and that's the only way he can keep up with the work - crazy stuff man! So remembering that guy, I feel a bit better - and I thank God that I am not an engineer. =)

It makes me wonder though, because a lot of these guys have young families, and though they work hard to provide for their families, their working long hours makes them miss out on spending quality time with their wife and kids. I talked to one of the guys about this and he is aware of the problem this creates but says it comes part and parcel with the type of job that he does. I think that's when you know that your job has taken over your life. The thing is that these guys didn't plan it to be this way - I don't think anyone would intentionally do so. But what starts out to be something that is a part of your life can quickly take over and become your life.

I don't think it will happen to girls as much as guys - because a lot of us will end up in the ultimate full-time job of being a mum (talk about long hours man! Mums never stop!) - but I think everyone has that potential to become a workaholic. Some have less potential than others (i.e. yours truly), but it's something for all of us freshies in the workforce to keep in mind. Easier said than done of course writes the one who skipped prayer meeting because she was 'too knackered' :(

Lord, help us to use every day for You. Help us to keep the important things in life important, and help us to do everything to glorify You always. You know the struggles we have in our lives, so Lord, please give us the strength that we need to overcome these now and in the future. In Jesus' name, Amen.

No comments: