Doing a mindless job

[Ceros]

Long story short I dropped out of College a week before my first class began. (I'm going back next year, but there's still a long way to go before that happens);

And so, without a degree or any job experience, I've spent the past six months doing temp jobs here and there, mostly cleaning and washing dishes.

And I can't stand it. (Those of you who had a chance to spend 8 hours non-stop washing dishes would know what I mean);

It's mind numbing. It's not a job that any human should ever be forced to do.

The only thing that allows me to endure it is the knowledge that my goal is in front of me and every day I am getting closer towards it.

So, now that you've heard my story, is there any way I could make work more... tolerable?

Like creating a mindset that would allow me to go through the day quicker?

[missing]

I think you are blowing a perfect opportunity hear by trying to "endure" your "mindless" job. I was a grocery store janitor for eight months and it was pretty similar to what you describe. Mindless work for a drone, not a human. But I loved it because it allowed me to focus on my thoughts and sort them out inside my head. And I got paid for it! The fact that you are staying in motion, doing the same thing in repetition, can help the job take on a meditative feel. So long as you have the right perspective. Yes, if I was going to be a janitor for the rest of my life I would have probably been looking for a convenient bridge to jump from. But knowing it was temporary helped me see it as a great opportunity to dedicate some time purely to what was going through my mind.

My point is that I think you should use this time to pay attention to your thoughts, whatever they may be. When you start on your "dream", you may not have the luxury to do this; your thoughts will need to be too focused. If you are the type of person that finds it difficult to be doing mindless type work, and who needs more stimulation, perhaps you can use this time to learn how to make the mundane interesting.

[JimOfferman]

Missing makes a good point here... even the best of dream jobs will have some mind numming and mundane work thrown in for good measure, so why not take this opportunity to learn how to cope with that.

[Parthon]

I can see the opportunity to develop your persistance, resolve, willpower and industry here, perhaps you were meant to have a "mundane" job.

I was in your position last year and I did just that, build up my persistance and industry. I concentrated on doing the best work possible even at tasks that were dreadfully boring. I also worked on doing more than what was required of me at the time, and assisted others in their tasks to get more flow happening. Suprisingly these helped me succeed considerably in the job, and I found success isn't a matter of knowledge or power, but just putting the hard work in.

Definately a growth opportunity.

[TDRock]

Agree with what's been said. When a job is taxing, it takes away from my energy to do what it is I really want to do. If I'm working doing something other than my passion (which - thankfully - I no longer do, but I got here via temp and short term, generally mindless, jobs) I prefer it to be as least thought provoking as possible so I can keep my mind focused on my real tasks at hand.

[Swede]

I think all comments so far has a point to them. But yes, I understand. Some jobs are not very nice at all. If we are being honest.

The point is you could use those feelings in different ways: You could build persistence and mental strength. Or you could feel utterly disgusted and work to the outmost finding at least a little bit better job as soon as possible. Or you could see it as a money making opportunity and don't even care about your feelings.

Yeah. If you English is your first language (it's not mine) then you could ALWAYS work abroad as an English teacher. There are a lot of opportunities in Asia, especially China and of course in Europe too. Do a search on the internet and I promise you will find some interesting opportunities.

Otherwhise, book stores are always nice to work at. I think.

[Rockchick26]

lol When i saw this thread i knew i had to answer it! For 17 years i have been working in a factory where 99% of the time i am doing repetitive hand work. Grabbing something,sticking it into a machine and pressing down on the pedal and it puts something on it and then i grab the next one,a few thousand times a day. The only way to sanely make it through your day is to put your mind somewhere else. I frequently daydream. Create a story in my head. Or i think of what i'm gonna do when i get home,or the following weekend. It helps that i have co workers to talk to,sometimes...but you don't,so,one suggestion i have for you is maybe you can somehow download Steve and Erin's podcasts? Some of them are half an hour long,maybe more. I am not sure if they are downloadable for iPods though. Also,there are limitless amounts of books on cd you can get. I personally would never get sick of 10 hours a day listening to music,maybe you just need more music? lol (by the way,i'm a Tool fan too!)

[mercuryrising]

I was just reading some of this book, "work as a spiritual practice". It gave some interesting insights that you might be find useful.

I would say the overall message was that any job or any activity can be turned into a form of meditation, sometimes in ways you would not expect.

You might consider taking a passage of some teachings that you like and memorizing it, then chew on it as you do your work. Also, pay attention to your body. How are you standing and moving? Try different ways of doing the activity and see how your mind changes in relationship to it. Move your attention around. Most of us keep our attention in our heads. Try moving your attention into your feet or hands, into the center of the chest or at the hara.

Also, in regards to your college career, consider that many people spend a lifetime doing the very work you are doing. By knowing what it is like to be 'one of them' you will be able to relate to such people in a way that most college educated individuals do not comprehend. Imagine you were doing this for a lifetime. Can you feel the desperation? Like the walls are closing in? How you would relieve that suffering? How could you help others to relieve it? There is wisdom to be found in what you are doing.

I do not have a college education despite my active intellect. I have been working since I was 16. My younger sister recently graduated from college and is just now entering the work world at 24. Our perspectives are entirely different about work and people in general. I am grateful for my understanding.