Feelings Of No Purpose

[tim]

This is a very interesting thread and one close to my heart

For about 30 years I worked in the Aggregate/Asphalt industry for several of the big companies, it was fun to start with, I'm a bit of a maverick and certainly not a yes man, I did very well and reached senior management positions and was 'headed hunted on two occasions. The top brass used to put up with my somewhat wild behavior, both in board meetings and my 'entertainment' budget

By the mid to late 90's thing had changed, the old style directors had gone and had been replaced with accountants or 'bean counters' they found my 'methods' not what they expected but I got results and built strong sales teams that respected me, so they put up with it

I think they must have finally had enough when I was made redundant in 2005, we had to apply for our own jobs, and I lost out to a child barely out of nappies, but he always said yes at meetings, I consulted a solicitor who told me what I had thought, that they had adjusted the matrix results to get rid of me. He said we could go to court and we would win, however it would have cost me most of my redundancy, so his advise was wipe your mouth take the cash and get another job!

That job is the one  do today, General Manager of a small family business, in fact both owners were my customers and really good friends, I now do a bit of everything and love it, both owners have since passed away and I now run the company with one of the owners sons, who looks at me as his Dad's mate, I am well rewarded and respected, I treat the son like a friend

So at 62, do I want to retire? no I bl00dy dont! however, I have discussed this with the son, next year I will probably go just 3 days a week but cover for him for holidays etc

As I see it now, I will probably do that until either the mind or the body goes

I am still working during this situation, supplying materials and haulage to essential works, we have been quieter as you would expect and I have had a few more days off, fortunately I have a few projects to do in the garden to keep me active, and I'm lucky we bought a house with a big garden all those years ago, however these jobs wont last forever and I'm dreading having nothing to do as I like to keep busy

Maybe when this is all over and I semi retire and have 4 day weekends every week, I might persuade Mandy to get a boat on the broads!

[Chelsea14Ian]

My game plan before this madness took hold of us all.Was simple  hit retirement on May 23 next year,Marina  August  23 next year.So after May 23 next year go down to A three day week.Sell the house and move to Norfolk. Simple.Now life far from easy,At high risk unable  to leave home until at least  middle of June.My future  like that of many is uncertain. Think thousands,perhaps millions of us will take a long look of our lives.

 

 

[ChrisB]

I think you are right. But I would like to add one word of caution to bear in mind if you are before before retirement :-

Give considerable thought before you "Break Service" with your current employer. It will be an uncertain world in commerce and industry for a very long time and you could end up in the "Last-in, First-out" category having kissed your severence goodbye.

[Poppy]

This is so true !

On a day when you're feeling important
On a day when your ego is in bloom
On a day you had the idea
You're the most important man in the room

Take a bucket and fill it with water
Put your hand in right up to your wrist
Take your hand out and the hole that is left
Is a measure of how you will be missed

You may splash as you put your hand in
You may stir up the waters gallore
But when your hand is gone in a second
It's exactly the same as before


So do you best and strive to be happy
And work as hard as you can
But always remember my friend
There is no indispensable man

[Minigem]

17 hours ago, Ray said:

 I worked under people that I had to cover for and couldn't do the job, I've worked with the lazy and the incompetent.

 

I will second that! The problem is that usually these people when pulled up about their failings usually make a lot of noise, threats of legal action, bringing in the union if one is there and they get away with it. That is why my job went to pieces when I left, it was left in their useless hands.

When I went back for my colleagues retirement my manager would not even speak to me. They played the game and I won and they were bad losers. After half a working life of aggravation, stress, abuse and not being appreciated revenge was sweet. I knew exactly what would happen and it did happen.

[Minigem]

2 hours ago, ChrisB said:

I think you are right. But I would like to add one word of caution to bear in mind if you are before before retirement :-

Give considerable thought before you "Break Service" with your current employer. It will be an uncertain world in commerce and industry for a very long time and you could end up in the "Last-in, First-out" category having kissed your severence goodbye.

Sage advice for people who wish to continue working in another company.

[TeamElla]

I've just retired and I miss work already (mainly because I've now got to make good on promises to do all those major refurbishments and household repairs that I was "too busy" to do before).

I'm actually quite enjoying lockdown as I can't visit bathroom showrooms or DIY stores for a while.

I miss the Broads like mad but my wife's itinerary for me means that I would have suffered that same absence anyway (well mostly ).

[Polly]

I have kept busy in between Zoom Homeschool with No1 Grandson and loafing about in the garden.

[ChrisB]

Off the subject a bit, I admit. But with all the beautiful weather we have had what I am missing most are my days out on the North Norfolk Coast. At Burnham Overy Staithe and Brancaster etc. And walking out to the fabulous sand beaches to eat my picnic.

I am very boring, I always have the same thing, Tinned Red Salmon sandwiches on seeded batch, apple, banana, 500ml diet coke and a flask of boiling water to make tea.

I love tinned Red Salmon sandwiches with thin cucumber

[SwanR]

Beautiful places Chris and nothing wrong with being a creature of habit. I saw some lovely photos on a Facebook group yesterday of the coast just by where our caravan is. Really hoping for some time up there later in the year to bring back my sense of purpose for why I still work. 

 I have wondered whether once the lockdown starts to be lifted will there be people who have something akin to symptoms of agoraphobia. Home is our safe place right now. 

[ChrisB]

A very valid and salient point. I think almost certainly there will.

[JennyMorgan]

Due to my mum-in law's health & situation thrusting me into becoming a carer and eventually the primary winder up of her life, five years ago, followed by my wife's ill health and my own decline I have to admit to having let things go in regard to my boats. I have always kept my varnish work as immaculate as I can but five years of neglect has taken its toll. My Drascombe has a mizzen mast and boom, the main mast with its boom and yard, five spars in total. This lockdown, despite the worries and tragedies, I'm actually quite enjoying it, I've found time to strip back to bare wood three of the five spars so far, they now look like new! 

There is something incredibly satisfying about working on spars. Sanding and planing out dings and black spots, running my hand across the timber, checking for irregularities and making good any damage, making ready for at least eight coats of Epifanes varnish, all in all the next best thing to actually being out on the water! For the first time in a long time I have rediscovered 'me time',  it's almost unaccustomed, but it's good.

[BroadAmbition]

For the first time in a long time I have rediscovered 'me time',  it's almost unaccustomed, but it's good.

Isn't it just  

I just wish there was somehow / someway I could get onboard 'B.A' an get on with our list of outstanding maintenance / upgrades.  Sigh 

Griff

[BroadAmbition]

Just had a thought  - Yes it does happen now and again.

Perhaps if I find a few bob down the back of the sofa I could put the mighty Tiger back on the road. Then obtain a 'Pass Out' from MrsG - Just about impossible right now.   Engage cloaking device and ride down to the wetshed. 

Three issues here, the cloaking device (There is one) although very effective has as mind of its own, I have never to date in thirteen years of ownership found the blasted on / off switch, it has a mind of its own.  Second issue, even with the top box and side panniers on, I wouldn't have enough carrying capacity for the parts and tools I would need onboard 

Then there is you lot, someone would no doubt 'Dob me in' to the Rozzers! 

 

Griff

[Chelsea14Ian]

I have very mixed feelings at present. I was working in a very busy unit.Was  told one afternoon in March sorry we dont need you.Very strange feeling I had no control. Our game plans put on hold.We intend to retire next year and move to Norfolk. Plus being in the high risk group restricting my movements.Still Marina  and I have kept busy each day.I spoke with Graham the other day ,I'm concerned about  the batteries on the boat.Thankfully he will check it out.I fully  understand the lockdown  the very real need to protect us as far as possible. Like many I'm concerned about the future. So at times I have a feeling of no purpose. 

That's the main reason I'm doing the 2.6 challenge on Sunday.I want to help if I can.

[JennyMorgan]

1 hour ago, BroadAmbition said:

Second issue, even with the top box and side panniers on, I wouldn't have enough carrying capacity for the parts and tools I would need onboard 

A trailer, Honda Gold Wing style, would do the trick! 

Was talking to a publican friend of mine yesterday, his feeling is that the Broads pubs won't reopen much before Christmas, ahh, got the C word in, so will it really be worth the effort? 

[JennyMorgan]

1 hour ago, Chelsea14Ian said:

Like many I'm concerned about the future. So at times I have a feeling of no purpose. 

Something of a big unknown but judging by the reported queues of folk clamoring to get into B&Q yesterday I suspect we shall eventually all carry on just as before, just minus a few more shops in our high streets.

[ChrisB]

Room for Tools, Mrs G and you could call in at Brundall and pick up Robin to give a hand.

[Mouldy]

On 20/04/2020 at 18:18, Mouldy said:

 . . . . . . . . . . . . I return to work tomorrow after two weeks off with mild Covid 19 symptoms (temperature, dry cough, headache etc.) to find out what the next stage of the process is to be.  I can’t honestly say I’m looking forward to going back.

A short update on my situation . . . . . . . . . I returned to work on Tuesday as planned and was sent home after a few hours.  All of the other symptoms of my suspected mild dose of whatever virus I had, have gone, but I’ve been left with a cough, which turned out to be sufficient for my presence there to not be welcome.

I have read what to expect during the recovery process and according to what’s written, a residual cough is normal.

I did have time whilst there to discover that I had been sent an email to confirm that the consultation process leading to the possibility of redundancy, has been put on hold due to the current situation.

I can carry on worrying about that until things return to normal, whenever that may be then!

[BroadAmbition]

 trailer, Honda Gold Wing style, would do the trick! 

Hardly likely to find that lot in my garage, although in theory it's possible, I do know there is a 1976 Honda 400-4 in there somewhere

Was talking to a publican friend of mine yesterday, his feeling is that the Broads pubs won't reopen much before Christmas, ahh, got the C word in, so will it really be worth the effort? 

Most definitely, there's socialising onboard, fishing, cruising, wildlife and people watching to be done in great quantities

Griff

 

[grendel]

somehow i have already invited the young lady her hubby and doggies (from the earlier thread), for a long weekend on the broads on water rail after lockdown ceases (actually i invited all of my work colleagues, but most cant take me up on the offer as they have families), just for the opportunity to have a quiet weekend on the broads, cruising, peaceful locations etc.

[Smoggy]

1 hour ago, grendel said:

just for the opportunity to have a quiet weekend

I think they will be desparate for a loud busy weekend by then.

[ChrisB]