Today and yesterday, I was booked by an account for a really boring and time-consuming job. It’s totally useless in my eyes, work for nothing. I can’t even begin to tell you how much it feels like a waste of time. The problem is, it’s non-negotionable. But nevertheless, it still genuinely sucks. Aaargh!
I worked until 7 PM last night, and when I got home at 8 and had some dinner I continued working on it until somewhere around midnight. Today I arrived at work, and I’ve received the exact same briefing from that same account, only with a few changes concerning the product category. I knew it was coming, and I’m aware that this time, I can’t discuss the meaning.
Grrrrrrr. What a wasted time.
The worst part is, I miss out on a really cool thing which I wanted to participate in here at the agency, but because of this lame work I’m stuck with, I can’t join my colleagues with the cool assignment.
This is the last time I accept something from an account without thoroughly countering and questioning the goal of the discouraging activity. I’ll be posting again either tonight or tomorrow morning, cuz I have to go release some frustration in the fitness room. Now back to the boring assignment.
UPDATE: 13/09 10.00AM – Finally done with it. Man, it feels great. On to the next assignment, and this one is fun again :) Weeeh !
derekb
September 12, 2006 at 3:55 pm
watch out… your account – colleague(s) will read this as well…
Coolz0r
September 12, 2006 at 4:31 pm
The content of the job isn’t the fault of the account, and what I’ve written here is exactly what I’ve said to that particular account. If the customer asks it… there’s not much you can do. Collecting data by means of ‘print screen + paste in powerpoint’ is never really exciting. I just don’t see the added value of it.
However, the account should ask the client if it wouldn’t be better if we make a synthesis of the current situation and add our propositions to it, instead of agreeing to deliver a documented screen-by-screen story. The story will be inaccurate by tomorrow, as new content will be added to the sites in question tonight. That’s the point I’m trying to make. Internet is alive. Making a snapshot of the current situation is like taking a picture from the sea and saying: that’s how the sea looks. While with every wave, with the tide and the natural conditions, the view will never be the same as it is documented in the picture.
It’s just my two cents, but thanks for warning :)
Pete
September 12, 2006 at 9:33 pm
I feel for you. Many a day I have spent doing useless work, while more exciting projects go on around me. How annoying. However, have you ever read Re-Imagine, by Tom Peters? There is a chapter on what Tom calls “WOW Projects for the Powerless” basically shit things you’re asked to do that you do so well that you make it amazing. Maybe it’s a bit far fetched for cutting and pasting but you get what I mean.
Then again somethings you need to do at work are shit and will enver ben anything but shit. The sooner this sort of stuff is done, the better.
albeenah
September 13, 2006 at 10:03 am
I think it’s time for a “weeeh”!!! ;)
Coolz0r
September 13, 2006 at 10:05 am
I totally agree ! ;)