Stuck between mediocrity and excellence

It's easy to get comfortable in a miserable situation or environment.  Work environments draw no comparison to POW camps, maximum security prisons, or bad inner city neighborhoods, but I think that from a sociological perspective, people that are in these environments learn to deal and adapt.  People that are in terrible work environments make the best out of the situation and eventually fall into one of three categories. Depression with little to no hope of getting out Frustration and trying everything they can to get out Comfortable with a self-fulfilling prophecy that how it ends is how it ends The difference between a POW camp and a work environment is that you have a choice when it comes to work environments.  You may not think you do, but you do. And you have to seriously consider what limiting belief or fear is holding you back from saying, "f*ck it, I'm done." Is it a fear of what other people will think?  Is it the fear of losing your six figu...

Remember the days of gossiping by the water cooler? (Actually this may have been before my time).  Today's work gossip and work communication can spread quickly via a number of internet and application channels.  Depending on how transparent people are, the tone of communication can vary based on the channel being used.  When communicating via email, people will tend to write with professionalism -- in general.  When communicating over instant messenger, people will tend to be a little more conversational. It's like a SMS / email hybrid of sorts. Short, quick messages that expect an instantaneous response.  When communicating in person or on a phone call in a large setting, people will tend to look down at their computers and communicate to other people through instant messenger about the other people in the room.  When communicating in person or on a phone call one-on-one -- wait, does anyone do that anymore? At work, people tend to take on 2...

The Consultant says, "I really love consulting, but I hate dealing with clients."  The Doctor says, "I really love medicine, but I'm not a big fan of patients."  The Realtor says, "I love selling houses, but it sucks dealing with buyers."  It may not be that you are in the wrong profession. It may be that you are dealing with the wrong types of clients, patients, and buyers. If you are just starting in a profession, then the statements above make sense. And if that's the case, take your lumps, get the experience, and move on.  If you love what you do and you are good at it, there are customers out there that will appreciate it.  You won't find them if you continue pandering or catering to the crazies.