Working hard, hardly working.

Office work is like a roller-coaster ride. Don't believe me? Well, you have the right to do so - but you're wrong! Wrong I tell you!

In this company you never know exactly what to expect from the coming day. I suppose in some proper companies, where people actually have a set job-describtion, one can expect to be doing the same stuff from day to day. Here, however, what you work on changes all the frigging time, every single day!

For example: I am a project manager, working as a sourcing agent for a number of Finnish clients. That is/should be my job. But in this company (especially) being a project manager means only that you are given new projects continuously and expected to keep up with the previous as well. My definition for a "project manager" = "A person who is trying to manage with the projects given, and still keeps a happy face and takes a few new ones without so much as a blink." So, how do I manage?.. well, here's what my friend Wikipedia says:

Stage one: alarm
When the threat or stressor is identified or realised, the body's stress response is a state of alarm. During this stage adrenaline will be produced in order to bring about the fight or flight response. There is also some activation of the HPA axis, producing cortisol.

Stage two: resistance
If the stressor persists, it becomes necessary to attempt some means of coping with the stress. Although the body begins to try to adapt to the strains or demands of the environment, the body cannot keep this up indefinitely, so its resources are gradually depleted.

Stage three: exhaustion
In the final stage in the GAS model, all the body's resources are eventually depleted and the body is unable to maintain normal function. At this point the initial autonomic nervous system symptoms may reappear (sweating, raised heart rate etc.). If stage three is extended, long term damage may result as the capacity of glands, especially the adrenal gland, and the immune system is exhausted and function is impaired resulting in decompensation. The result can manifest itself in obvious illnesses such as ulcers, depression or even cardiovascular problems, along with other mental issues. --- Wikipedia on Stress (General Adaption Syndrome)

Stress. What a wonderfull thing. I makes you do things really fast and motivated - or it will stop you from doing anything. With both cases experienced, I like the first one better. Latter one only increases the bad effects.

However, even with all the work that needs to be done, things are now just so slightly better. My boss is away for some time so at least I can have my own pace on doing things. It eases a lot, though of course the work-load doesn't decrease. Yet, just knowing I'm not forced upon tight deadlines so clearly and it helps the coping to situation.

I am a project manager, working as a sourcing agent for a number of Finnish clients. That is/should be my job. However, I also do projects for environmental technology, medical technology, feasibility studies, market research, and random other projects. There is a LOT going on.

At least I won't die of boredom.

"Boredom is a condition characterized by perception of one's environment as dull, tedious, and lacking stimuli. There is an inherent anxiety in boredom; people will expend considerable effort to prevent or remedy it, yet in many circumstances it is accepted as an inevitable suffering to be endured. A common way to escape boredom is through creative thoughts or daydreaming." - Wikipedia on Boredom

Wikipedia is amazing. My best friend.

Ohh.. and I forgot to justify my first statement. Office work (at least here) is like a roller-coaster ride because you never know what to expect - and because at times you don't have much to do (but to play games on PSP), and on other times you're drowned in work - desperately trying to survive the work-load that is coming at you like a pack of Rhinoceros charging ahead, trying to trample you! You never know which kind of day is coming when you come to the office in the morning.