Getting out ... just to get out

On Wisconsin!

 

Incidentally, I'd be careful about touting one's multitasking ability in an interview, as well, given that a number of recent studies have indicated that "multitasking" is really just a fancy word for an inability to focus on one task.

There's also evidence that no one's really good at multitasking, and that those who say they're the exception to the rule are actually the strongest proof of it.

Present company excluded, of course.

 

You have to be pretty fucked up to think that handling pressure and multitasking are liabilities.

 

I do only one thing. Nothing else!! Don't you dare fucking ask me to do another thing or I will cut you. And I have never worked on deadline so you don't need to worry about me prioritizing work, either. I'll do everything at my own pace and at my own comfort level and you'll never have to worry about me giving a shit.

 

Most who think they deal well under deadlines and think they can multitask well are really disorganized as hell. Just look at the typical reporter's desk.

 

I've known a lot of fantastic reporters whose desks were embarrassing who were complete, factual and compelling on deadline. Just sayin'.

And, yeah, I manicured my desk because I'm one of those ladder-climbing losers.

 

If the reporter knows exactly what's on each pile and can locate the needed information quickly, how disorganized is the desk, really? It only <i>looks</i> chaotic to those who don't understand the system.

 

Put a little bit of a predicament today.

Now, this is not a bad thing, as I won a company-wide writing award (including a cash prize, which is actually kind of amazing since more quarterly furloughs were just announced). But I'm in the process of trying to get out of the business and to hear management say things like "we value you" and "you're an asset" and "go out there and write another award winner!" leave me with incredibly mixed feelings.

Yeah, the extra money doesn't hurt and neither do the handshakes and back slaps. There's also, however, now an added feeling of guilt. That is: 1.) If I do leave, I'd be letting them down and 2.) By winning this award, it makes me feel almost obligated to stick around a bit longer, even though I've mentally checked out for the most part.

Thoughts?

 

Not your problem. You don't owe your company anything more than a honest day's work in exchange for money. Heck, even two weeks' notice is asking a lot these days.

 

A. You're doing OK.
2. Stop whining. Now.

 

1. Tough shit, this is a business. Treat it as such.
2. That award won't mean shit to them if the numbers aren't what they want and they decide to cut someone.

 

I felt this when I had an offer to get out after six years at my last paper. Even went back to an old college professor. He was about 75 at the time, grizzled vet of the business, and first day of News writing class he asked a class of 20 of us how many wanted to go into TV? About half the hands went up. Next question: how many wanted to do PR? The other half. Mine is the only hand that hadn't gone up. Finally, he asked how many of us wanted to write for newspapers. My hand went up. "Well, goddammit, at least there's one of you."

Now granted, I should've known then that maybe my career path wasn't necessarily a wise one. Whatever. But when I had that offer to get out (from newspaper to SID), I remembered that class, that professor who was there for me whenever I needed an edit for the next two years, and wondered if I was selling out.

I took the job, and since then have taken another one. I've risen in sports and social media marketing faster than I could've ever hoped and making 25 percent more money than I was at the dead-end Podunk newspaper job (still relative peanuts for people my age, but that's media), and my schedule is for the first time in my life M-F, 9-5. (And, my God, how I love that.)

Getting out even when I was worried to death about it worked out for me, and it's worked for others. Staying in has worked for others. I don't begrudge those who stayed one bit. Do what you think is right, but never be afraid to take a leap if you're just not happy.

Ultimately, I was miserable at the paper, and my wife could tell. That was enough for me.