For some reason while I was driving to Consultants office the other day I had an imaginary conversation with someone about my job. I have no idea why, it was one of those mental exercises that happen when your mind is particularly idle. I don't really know who the person was, but it seems like she was waitress, and she asked me what I did for a living.
I told her that I was an Architect.
She asked if I liked it, and I responded yes wholeheartedly, but when she asked what it was like my response was: "Stressful."
And then it occurred to me, I would like my job more (on a day to day basis) if I liked stress. I know there are people (probably some in my office) who really thrive on stress and like to be in the middle of it solving problems and making other peoples stresses disappear, but I've never been like that. I've always shied away from stress, as I have responsibility and other sort of "adult" aspects of life.
But now that I think about it, my job has been pretty stressful for about the last 2 years. It started around the time that one of my coworkers left the firm and I took over the lead on the project we had been working on. We went into pricing and construction documents, then more pricing and finally into construction, when things are supposed to get easier - which they didn't My stress level has had all kind of ups and downs, at times getting close to unbearable, yet never really getting down to zero.
Last week I actually filed for a building permit (something that Contractors do all the time, but Architects rarely do), and getting that ready was really stressful. But then, not long after this conversation with the "waitress" I walked into the building department and turned in the drawings and application paperwork. Turns out I didn't have everything I needed, which was clear about 30 seconds into the conversation with the woman on the other side of the counter. Shortly though, I realized that even though the city has questions, I also have the answers. And that's a good feeling - I mean dear god, I'm an Architect - I do know a little about buildings. Especially the one that I spent the last 6 months drawing and describing in a technical narrative.
Today there were more questions, and some clarifications on that project, and the other one has a punch list (to-do list really) that's getting shorter. Either the stress is getting reduced, or I'm getting better at dealing with it.
Not sure if I like it yet, but I'm sure time will give me a chance to find out!
I told her that I was an Architect.
She asked if I liked it, and I responded yes wholeheartedly, but when she asked what it was like my response was: "Stressful."
And then it occurred to me, I would like my job more (on a day to day basis) if I liked stress. I know there are people (probably some in my office) who really thrive on stress and like to be in the middle of it solving problems and making other peoples stresses disappear, but I've never been like that. I've always shied away from stress, as I have responsibility and other sort of "adult" aspects of life.
But now that I think about it, my job has been pretty stressful for about the last 2 years. It started around the time that one of my coworkers left the firm and I took over the lead on the project we had been working on. We went into pricing and construction documents, then more pricing and finally into construction, when things are supposed to get easier - which they didn't My stress level has had all kind of ups and downs, at times getting close to unbearable, yet never really getting down to zero.
Last week I actually filed for a building permit (something that Contractors do all the time, but Architects rarely do), and getting that ready was really stressful. But then, not long after this conversation with the "waitress" I walked into the building department and turned in the drawings and application paperwork. Turns out I didn't have everything I needed, which was clear about 30 seconds into the conversation with the woman on the other side of the counter. Shortly though, I realized that even though the city has questions, I also have the answers. And that's a good feeling - I mean dear god, I'm an Architect - I do know a little about buildings. Especially the one that I spent the last 6 months drawing and describing in a technical narrative.
Today there were more questions, and some clarifications on that project, and the other one has a punch list (to-do list really) that's getting shorter. Either the stress is getting reduced, or I'm getting better at dealing with it.
Not sure if I like it yet, but I'm sure time will give me a chance to find out!
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