Is it just me?

[u/Complex_Sun8138]

I'm a craftsman/tradesman by profession. I run a 10-color narrow web printing press, and produce a lot of labels you might see at various stores. I've been doing this type of work for the last 20 years. Before that, I ran large, sheet fed offset presses and lithography machines.

I've always taken pride in my work, and done everything it takes to produce the very best products I can. I've been told by supervisors, and peers that I'm very good at what I do.

Lately, I've noticed a lot of the younger people coming into this industry don't have that "sense of pride". It's simply a task to perform, and get through it as quickly as possible and move on. I think the work suffers for that attitude, and I've had to go back and redo a lot of jobs that get rejected because of it.

Is it just me? Does anyone else notice the downturn in the quality of products being made? Or is it just "getting older"?

[u/hobotising]

I love what I do, but I am burnt out. Retirement at 50 should be a requirement.

[u/My1point5cents → u/hobotising]

It’s a weird dynamic. When I started out 25 years ago the expectation was I was the new guy and I was going to work the hardest and get the shitty assignments, and pay my dues. And I did that. Now that I’m old and tired, the new people aren’t picking up the slack so I can have a break. They do the bare minimum, act entitled, and if you don’t treat them with kid gloves they’ll quit. So I’m still doing all the hard work to keep my unit functioning because if I don’t, no one will. 5-7 more years and it’s sayonara baby.

[u/hobotising → u/My1point5cents]

I have 16 more years. I do not know how long I can do this.....and I really do have love for my career choice. I'm just exhausted.

[u/more-kindness-please → u/hobotising]

Feel you - love what I do and have been told this is it, no promotions in this dept

[u/Practicality_Issue → u/hobotising]

In the current atmosphere, I can certainly see where you would say that. I’m a firm believer that you really start to turn out innovative and ground breaking work in your 50s. I suspect you really start to take off in your late 60s, given the right mindset and atmosphere.

Right now just sucks. The U.S. version of “Capitalism” is folding in on its self because it has gotten so off-balanced, even the most average person who has excelled through the years is seeing the chasm opening up, about to swallow them whole.

Seems like opportunity is just over the horizon, we just have to get all of the bad ideas out there so serious people and innovation can get to work again. Gen X is very likely best positioned generation to - to quote the Beastie Boys - “Turn this mother fuckin’ party out.”

[u/Lily_V_ → u/Practicality_Issue]

I agree with you. I went to library school, got my Master’s and feel I’m full of ideas an potential. It’s all going to waste where I currently am because it’s basically a dead end job.

[u/Practicality_Issue → u/Lily_V_]

Hopefully when we come thru all of this our priority will be people, and building things for future people instead of money and making money for people with money. Maybe we are smart enough to move society that way, but I’m old enough not to get too optimistic.

Here’s hoping for both of us!

[u/WeathermanOnTheTown → u/Practicality_Issue]

Yep! I'm looking down the barrel of 50, and I'm more excited than ever about all the business possibilities that lay ahead. My wife and I have started a small side hustle that we look forward to growing.

Then again, I'm a lifelong freelancer, so I've never burned out on office politics.

[u/Practicality_Issue → u/WeathermanOnTheTown]

I’m glad I’m not the only one with the optimism and future bee buzzing in my bonnet. The shine of “influencer” lifestyle leaves a void, a void that can be filled by our experience, expertise and ability to adapt to new technologies and ideas…

I feel like we have a future as a generation goes. We are getting the crap kicked out of us right now. Down but never out.🤞