My job. I can't get anything accomplished

[Shelby07]

I work in IT as a general computer guy/systems administrator/network administrator. Anyone ever get to a point in their jobs where they feel like they can't get anything accomplished? When I first started, I was proactive. Implementing solutions and just keeping on top of things. Now, I keep having to put things off. My "to do" list is fairly long and shrinking pretty damn slow. It's the big projects that get me. I can't find a block of time to get them done in. Some other hot button issue keeps getting in the way. The phone rings all day. I keep finding things not done that should be. The systems and upgrades implemented lately are buggy. Our network lines to the branches are overtaxed and underperforming. We had to expand our server room to handle the growth and yet our core file server/domain controller is in rough shape. I am starting to feel a bit overwhelmed. There's only three technical guys and the manager in a financial institution with thirteen branches. Now we also have a day data processor, night data processor, and VP. I'm not sure they really count as ground troops though.

You run in circles at full speed all day and they own you even in your free time (if they give you any) with cell phones, pagers, work stations and Instant Messaging. Your "on-call" hours are not negotiated, just mandated. I worked for Bell laboratories for 30 years then EDS for 2 more after I took retirement. Finally I said "fuck it" and got myself into aviation, which was my first love. Took a hell of a hit on salary, but I would never go back to IT just for the reasons you mentioned. In fact, I got a pretty nice job offer from some people I knew at Avaya after the flight school was sold and told them "thanks, but no thanks."

I have felt your pain!

My dad always said if you find a job you love you'll never work a day in your life. I wish I had taken those words to heart sooner.

Oh yeah: I almost forgot. When I gave EDS my 2 week notice and told them that I was going to pursue my passion, my boss called me at home. There was no "thanks for your efforts" or "good luck." Instead. I got "YOU CAN'T QUIT!!" After a few minutes of bullshit and hearing the phrase over and over, I finally said "WATCH ME!"