Random Topics 3.1

[JayKay PE]

I am sorry I fail at being an adult. I am simple and do not have an answer to things.

 

[txjennah PE]

I turn off my work phone. The only people I need to answer to have my personal cell phone number. I had one action that I had to track but I have a wonderful PM in charge of the effort, so one phone call and a confirmation text message took care of the actual work on Friday. I took that 1 hour back so that I can use it for another day. I don't give up any part of my time.

I set a precedent early in my career. When I'm on leave, I'm gone. Call me if you want, but I told you I was taking time off. Lack of preparation is your problem, not mine.

Agreed 100%. There are definitely times I'll keep checking in on something (like if I have someone in the field while I am off), but otherwise? I make sure Outlook notifications are turned off, etc. I see people I work with emailing each other late Saturday/Sunday night...that's so depressing to me.

 

[JayKay PE]

I turn off my work phone. The only people I need to answer to have my personal cell phone number. I had one action that I had to track but I have a wonderful PM in charge of the effort, so one phone call and a confirmation text message took care of the actual work on Friday. I took that 1 hour back so that I can use it for another day. I don't give up any part of my time.

I set a precedent early in my career. When I'm on leave, I'm gone. Call me if you want, but I told you I was taking time off. Lack of preparation is your problem, not mine.

This was super hard for me to do when I was in private sector in NYC/tri-state area, because people wouldn't respect the boundaries and I didn't have a work phone...so unfortunately, it was my personal number being given out to a bunch of people. It's actually been way easier in public sector/federal work, since people really do leave you alone when you're on leave. I'm actually planning on doing a partial leave situation in a few weeks, if my acting chief will let me, where I work a few hours in the morning and then take off the rest of the day. Hopefully that'll help me 'keep up' with my projects since I'm planning on taking off for two weeks right when a few of my projects are starting up/mobilizing.

 

[civilrobot PE etc etc]

Agreed 100%. There are definitely times I'll keep checking in on something (like if I have someone in the field while I am off), but otherwise? I make sure Outlook notifications are turned off, etc. I see people I work with emailing each other late Saturday/Sunday night...that's so depressing to me.

And when they are burned out, they are teary eyed or mad at the world about how the work never stops. I was so fortunate to work with a young engineer who told me "the work will be here tomorrow". It's true. Turn it off, compartmentalize, and take care of your mental health, personal life, etc.

An....older....seasoned person just made a comment on a call that I'm on and said "I'll come in to meet with you...even on my day off!" Not me. Reschedule with my assistant.

 

[DLD PE]

When I leave the office, I don't think about work until I come in the next morning. Same with weekends/vacation. The PE exam is a different story

 

[civilrobot PE etc etc]

This was super hard for me to do when I was in private sector in NYC/tri-state area, because people wouldn't respect the boundaries and I didn't have a work phone...so unfortunately, it was my personal number being given out to a bunch of people. It's actually been way easier in public sector/federal work, since people really do leave you alone when you're on leave. I'm actually planning on doing a partial leave situation in a few weeks, if my acting chief will let me, where I work a few hours in the morning and then take off the rest of the day. Hopefully that'll help me 'keep up' with my projects since I'm planning on taking off for two weeks right when a few of my projects are starting up/mobilizing.

I was very fortunate. I worked in private sector for almost 20 years and I always had a work cell. A couple of times, I bought a separate phone or had two phone numbers on one phone. The company reimbursed me if they didn't provide the device. It was a constant battle with people when I was off from work. So many people try to make you feeling bad for taking time off and actually being away from work. I had to tell myself that it's their decision to work non stop and it's my decision not to. And that's okay.

My primary reason for moving to public sector was for the work-life balance and for the reason you stated. People (typically) leave you alone when you're off. You're legally covered if you don't answer the phone when you're off from work. I don't let the comments bother me. Sometimes people make snide remarks because they don't have the courage to do what you're doing. They can't handle it.

 

[Tiger15]

I guess I'm fortunate that I don't have these problems. My work tends to be very solitary. I get a requests from people and then tend to not hear from them until the work is done or until the due date (whichever comes first). I'm actually a very social person and enjoy collaborating, but since it's not required for 80% of my work, I get to choose how and when I want to interact with people instead of it being required. And when I take time off, I'm completely off. Even when I'm working, it's pretty easy for me to disappear for a while and make up the time later, because usually no one is looking for me.

 

[txjennah PE]

And when they are burned out, they are teary eyed or mad at the world about how the work never stops. I was so fortunate to work with a young engineer who told me "the work will be here tomorrow". It's true. Turn it off, compartmentalize, and take care of your mental health, personal life, etc.

An....older....seasoned person just made a comment on a call that I'm on and said "I'll come in to meet with you...even on my day off!" Not me. Reschedule with my assistant.

That's great that you had those boundaries set up early on. It's so important! I know there are definitely times where I've had to dig into my email on a weekend or work a weekend, but only for crazy deadlines...but that's really rare (and I make sure that they stay "rare" ). There's always *something* I could be doing, but I'd prefer to save it for my work hours!

There just has to be a balance. I don't want to retire, look back, and wonder what I did with my life other than work.

 

[DLD PE]

I feel like a Vitamix is way too powerful/expensive for me wanting a random smoothie once in a while...I mean, it's like $400.

Based on what I've seen/heard from people who have bought Ninjas and the posts earlier, that $70 item is probably your best bang for the buck. In fact, I've never heard anyone complain about them.

 

[civilrobot PE etc etc]

When I leave the office, I don't think about work until I come in the next morning. Same with weekends/vacation. The PE exam is a different story

The PE exam lives with you... it becomes a part of your character, like decision analysis, a sense of humor, solving PE problems. It's part of your DNA. You will never...be...the same. lol

 

[txjennah PE]

I find myself really getting sick of consulting and definitely want to make the move to government at some point......I know that has its own issues, but I don't see myself in consulting for forever. It is definitely super stressful.

 

[civilrobot PE etc etc]

I am sorry I fail at being an adult. I am simple and do not have an answer to things.

Admitting that you don't know everything means you are an adult.

 

[DLD PE]

I find myself really getting sick of consulting and definitely want to make the move to government at some point......I know that has its own issues, but I don't see myself in consulting for forever. It is definitely super stressful.

I'm not sure the "grass is greener" on that side. My sister (Civil PE) works for the city as a plans reviewer. I feel like she has it made, since she never has to design, just review and comment on other people's mistakes. However, she always seems stressed with her job. Being her brother, I feel like I can attribute it to her bad attitude in general, but I could be wrong. I've also been told (from a well respected inspector) our city electric service is THE place to work at (low stress, excellent benefits), but then again, I could be wrong. My current company is relatively low-stress, so I'm gonna ride that until something changes.

 

[JayKay PE]

I was very fortunate. I worked in private sector for almost 20 years and I always had a work cell. A couple of times, I bought a separate phone or had two phone numbers on one phone. The company reimbursed me if they didn't provide the device. It was a constant battle with people when I was off from work. So many people try to make you feeling bad for taking time off and actually being away from work. I had to tell myself that it's their decision to work non stop and it's my decision not to. And that's okay.

My primary reason for moving to public sector was for the work-life balance and for the reason you stated. People (typically) leave you alone when you're off. You're legally covered if you don't answer the phone when you're off from work. I don't let the comments bother me. Sometimes people make snide remarks because they don't have the courage to do what you're doing. They can't handle it.

My mom is one of those people that was like, "If it's really an issue, don't stress about it today, since it'll still be there tomorrow". That really helped me get through a lot of my early consulting days when the stress was just mounting and mounting. I am really happy that I was able to make the switch the public. The work-life balance is much better, since a larger amount of people don't work outside of normal working hours, and if I do work extra I'm compensated in some manner (comp time or OT). It's actually made things much much better for me.

The only reason I'm planning on working while I'm on vacation is...I get bored. I'd rather do a couple hours in the morning/check emails/make sure things are 'okay' then totally ignore and come back, waste two days getting back up to speed, and realizing contractors poured a concrete slab without anyone giving permission. *sigh*

 

[JayKay PE]

Admitting that you don't know everything means you are an adult.

False. Wildly accusing people of trying to make me look stupid, and I know everything, means I'm an adult!

 

[civilrobot PE etc etc]

My mom is one of those people that was like, "If it's really an issue, don't stress about it today, since it'll still be there tomorrow". That really helped me get through a lot of my early consulting days when the stress was just mounting and mounting. I am really happy that I was able to make the switch the public. The work-life balance is much better, since a larger amount of people don't work outside of normal working hours, and if I do work extra I'm compensated in some manner (comp time or OT). It's actually made things much much better for me.

The only reason I'm planning on working while I'm on vacation is...I get bored. I'd rather do a couple hours in the morning/check emails/make sure things are 'okay' then totally ignore and come back, waste two days getting back up to speed, and realizing contractors poured a concrete slab without anyone giving permission. *sigh*

lol yeah that's important. i've done the "maintenance check ins" to save my sanity. sometimes, it's good to skim the emails to catch anything urgent or critical or to just lessen the burden when you finally get back to it.

 

[Supe]

Wait. Guys. Can I use an immersion mixer to make smoothies? AM I LOOKING IN THE WRONG DIRECTION? I'M GONNA TRY IT.

Probably not if you want ice in your smoothies.

 

[DLD PE]

My mom is one of those people that was like, "If it's really an issue, don't stress about it today, since it'll still be there tomorrow". That really helped me get through a lot of my early consulting days when the stress was just mounting and mounting. I am really happy that I was able to make the switch the public. The work-life balance is much better, since a larger amount of people don't work outside of normal working hours, and if I do work extra I'm compensated in some manner (comp time or OT). It's actually made things much much better for me.

The only reason I'm planning on working while I'm on vacation is...I get bored. I'd rather do a couple hours in the morning/check emails/make sure things are 'okay' then totally ignore and come back, waste two days getting back up to speed, and realizing contractors poured a concrete slab without anyone giving permission. *sigh*

A REAL adult would go ahead and let them pour it, THEN tell them they didn't have permission, THEN make them break it up and remove it. THEN you become an adult

 

[civilrobot PE etc etc]

I was looking at costco, because of the whole return policy, and they have a ninja that is $70 that looks like it's just the base model/doesn't really have anything else? And then another one that is a little more expensive, I think $130, but it has the little smoothie cups and is more powerful (1200 watts vs. 1000 watts). Also, looks like I might be able to switch out blades in the big pitcher/it might be easier to clean?

I have this system:

 

[civilrobot PE etc etc]

I can do some cool things with the food processor. I make sauces for my roast beef, soup, and the smoothest sweet potato pie in the entire world.

I can make smoothies very easily. It's a neat system. We got ours from Sam's Club.