5 to 7 Years ?

The following is a quote from an ex Microsoft employee. I don’t think this experience is in any way unique to Microsoft. You could substitute the word Microsoft with any number of company names. It’s not about the company, it’s about the experience. I can really relate to this, I have experienced something very similar more than once.

‘You scramble, dash, pump yourself full of caffeine, and get into it! You do this again after the project fails, and again after the project changes, and yet again after a major reorg. You keep that energy up, you keep contributing. You are a good Microsoft citizen doing your part for the greater good.’

‘You do this for between 5 and 7 years.’

‘One day, however, there’s an epiphany. On that day you realise that your lawn is three feet high and you have a stack of unopened bills. Change sets in.’

‘You start to notice that you are more opinionated at group meetings. Schedules, feature sets and direction are questioned more. A caustic tone creeps into your speech.’

‘More changes set in.’

‘Your patience is a little thinner in other aspects of your life. You see things more clearly now and you’re more forceful in doing what is necessary to make plans a reality. You want things to happen faster, cheaper and more efficiently. You do not have time to waste time with people who cannot keep up.’

‘You will hear from your significant other that you are a demanding person. You will hear from others that you are opinionated, strong-willed, difficult and demanding. In every situation you will push others to their extreme, and you will achieve a measure of success.’

“If you really want something in this life, you have to work for it. Now, quiet! They’re about to announce the lottery numbers.” - Homer Simpson