Back to School, Works.
Dear Blog,
It’s been nearly a week and a half since I’ve written you, and that’s okay. I’ve been relatively busy.
I’m back in school and taking a very light load this semester. Some basic trigonometry, a General Ed. english class on the topic of ‘academic writing’, and an introductory mechanical engineering course on technical drawing. Next Fall is when I’ll swing back into being a full-time student, and begin in earnest the Mechanical Engineering program.
I’m still working two jobs, wrenching at Pullins Cyclery and doing assembly work for Paul Components. I get a lot of satisfaction from both jobs, but it sucks to have to split my time between them. Even when I work a six day week (which I try to avoid now that I’m back in school) I feel as though I ought to be working more at both jobs. This is made worse by the fact that the spring season is getting closer and business is picking up.
Something I’ve come to realize about my work ethic is that I behave as if the business I work for was my own. I can become very sensitive to the ups and downs of my job and I let this affect me in a pretty strong way. This is both good and bad. In one sense it makes me take a critical look at my own efforts on the job, and I try to find ways to become a better employee. But at the same time I allow myself to become stressed out by decisions that aren’t mine to make and circumstances that are not my own.
For example: We’re short staffed at Pullins right now, and we’re looking for someone to help with sales and service. Having lost two employees in the last few months, we’re down to just three. Since going back to school I’ve also cut my hours from three days a week to just a day and a half, and part of me feels like it’s my responsibility to find a replacement.
Ultimately though, that’s not part of my job. If I need to work less in order to make enough time for school, then I should be able to do so without feeling guilty about working less. I also don’t need to vet each applicant. I should give my opinion if I don’t think they’re qualified, but the onus isn’t on me if they turn out to be incompetent.
I hope to work for myself someday.
In addition to the recent stresses of school and work, I worry I might be getting sick. I really ought to get more sleep.
No I haven’t recorded any music in a few weeks, though I have been writing some stuff I like. Hope to get back to the mic soon.
xoxo.
-jono