Saturday, June 20, 2009

Escape from The Rut

I've been in The Rut for a long time. I've been bored and unchallenged, my mind was rotting. I filled up my time with "projects" to distract me, so I wouldn't dwell on The Rut too much. I'd made The Rut quite comfortable, made the best of it.

Then this week, I seem to have found a way out of The Rut. A new opportunity. A proper step in the right direction. Something challenging but perfectly possible.

I'm going to do it. I'm going to leave The Rut behind. But why don't I feel happier about it? Its the little things that make The Rut bearable that I'm worried about leaving behind. And that,strangely enough, I worked so hard to get into The Rut in the first place, that it feels like quitting to leave it behind.

Still it is all "subject to references" which is quite a bit thing when one of the problems with The Rut other people taking credit for things you've done. So I may not quite be out of The Rut yet.

12 comments:

Blah said...

Congratulations on leaving the Rut! It'll be worth it in the end. I've just done the same and I'm shaking in my boots at having considerably less money, but there was a reason it was called a Rut, right? So you're best off away from it. Good luck and tell us more! xx

SandDancer said...

Well, I haven't left yet and I'm still scared to even think about it properly in case something goes wrong. My stomach has been in knots for the past two days - Monday I have to hand my notice in which isn't going to be pleasant.

Blah said...

Aww. Maybe you'll feel relieved after handing in the notice is done? Leaving something comfortable is always very tricky and anxious, but there is enough good reason pushing you to make the change.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations! It's always a difficult and worrying time moving out of the rut, but good on you for realising where you were and having the courage to do something about it!

I know exactly how you feel as I was exactly the same when I left my last job. I was crapping it when handing in my notice, not least as my manager had become my friend and so I felt I was letting her down too when I knew we were busy, but knew I had to move on.

My tip - it sounds a bit arse licky but in all my leaving letters, I've always put a 'thanks for all your support/training/guidance/invaluable experience whilst I've been in this post which has helped me for the future blah blah blah...even the most annoyed that you are leaving of managers can't resist the compliment that they've been great!(unless of course they don't deserve it)

Let us know how you get on tomorrow and what you'll be doing

cogidubnus said...

The "rut" is all about settling into a comfort-zone...be that in private life, social life or professionally ... once we do that, something of our creativity withers...breaking out may be risky, but ultimately may prevent us from becoming boring old farts... go girl go!

SandDancer said...

NM - if only any of those things you suggest writing were true, then I probably won't want to leave, but it is the absence of all of those that make me know that I should get out. There has been no training, guidance and certainly no support whatsoever. My reservations are that I know my manager will react badly and there will probably be swearing, door slamming and the silent treatment. I do have reservations about some things that I won't have time to finish, but I suppose that would always happen.

Cogi - it has definitely become a comfort zone and that is what is hard to break.

M said...

Ruts only get deeper and harder to get out of over time. Make the leap while you can, and don't look back. Good luck!

Roses said...

Good for you! How did it go today?

SandDancer said...

It didn't go well. The initial discussion was fine but when it came to the reference, it went badly wrong. I currently do a lot of things that weren't in my original job description and it is these things that are similar to the new role, but for the reference my manager would only mention things in my official job description. This hasn't been re-written in 5 years and. This is one of the problems there - I've never been given credit for the things I do - they either aren't acknowledged or someone else takes the credit for them. The reference has made me sound like the tea girl and I expect the job offer will be retracted as what she has written has no relevance to their job (which they included). I'm pretty sure my manager knows this as they commented on how I could stay if it falls through. So I face a week of humiliation and having to ask to stay in a job I hate with people who have proven they have no respect for anything I do. If I do stay, I shall revert to only doing things on the job description.

Blah said...

*hugs*

What a bitch to do that to you! I'm sure though that if you explained to your prospective new employer what she did, it'd be okay? Whats the latest? xx

Roses said...

I'd be surprised if your job offer was revoked on the back of the poor reference. I'm sure your new place will read between the lines and know you've got soo much more to offer.

Hopefully, they'll know they've got a brilliant find. If not, let me know, I'll hex 'em for you.
x

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry it didn't go well...what an arse your manager is...

Usually what is more telling is if a company refuses to provide a reference for an employee as that's the only legal way for them to say an applicant is crap without getting themselves in a legal mess.

So when we get references it's usually just procedure and all we do is check that the applicant had a job and worked for who they said they did and when (the dates seemingly are always more important to our HR dept than the reference content) and was reliable as, by that stage we have already met the candidate, know if they'll fit in and you've already proven yourself at interview!!

I'm sure it'll be fine