Feeling guilty for not being busy at work!?

Question

I work a government job - and well I feel guilty about not being overwhelminly busy (which is why I have time to post this). I already do more than I am assigned, my boss thinks I am great, and I am known for my initivive - but when I have down time (which seems to more and more common) I feel like there MUST be some project or something I am not doing! I Am I crazy - or should I really have consistant work and improvments to do?

Answer 1

Yes, you should feel guilty.

It is up to you to motivate yourself to achieve above the level of mediocrity which you perceive to exist.

Just because your bosses are willing to accept this low level doesn't mean that you can also accept it.

I suggest that you complete your assigned tasks at a high level and then volunteer to take on other assignments which are not in direct competition with your work peers.

For example, if you are a service respondent, do that job to the best of your ability, and also volunteer to form or join a committee which analyzes the job process and continually improves the quality and response time for that job.

There are always a myriad processes which need to be improved, quality which needs to be refined, revenue sources which need to be explored...

Don't settle for mediocrity.  That will make you a mediocre person.  That's not you.

Answer 2

Sam, be content with your position. You could always learn online Poker.

Answer 3

I also work for the government.......

and I feel the EXACT same way!