Good Times Better – Bad Times Less Bad (Part 1)

Once in a job interview, I was asked why I was hoping to leave my current job, I said something like, “It was the best place I ever worked and the worst place I ever worked.” And the interview panel all laughed as if they fully understood. I was referencing the ambulance service where I had worked for ten years. In ambulance work, some emergencies are exciting and you feel like a hero, healer, or at least skilled and useful, others, despite your best efforts, are upsetting or depressing as you can imagine, and leave the crew with a sense of powerlessness.

The ups and downs of the job sometimes had nothing to do with death and destruction on the street, and more to do with internal office politics, disagreeable coworkers, seemingly idiotic rule changes, or just bad weather. We also brought our troubles from home to work and vice versa. Significantly, it took years for me to figure out that most of my work troubles, malcontent, and sometimes bitter complaining had nothing to do with the job at all, and everything to do with my own internal struggles, maturity, and relationship with my coworkers.