Part of being an IT consultant is doing things other people don’t want to do. That means analyzing logs and doing the grunt work. I love it.
Right now I am working and sinking my teeth into a 13,000-page log describing their errors. Good times. I am on page 50 and have to take a break for the moment. I analyzed some other things this morning and mentally I am exhausted. Don’t misunderstand I am not complaining. Analyzing logs requires the greatest mental effort. You have to be aware of errors, look for patterns, and compare and research error codes. That is what I have been doing for 6 hours and I need a break. Anyone would need a break.
IT isn’t a sprint, it is a marathon. You may be able to do something fast, but being good in IT requires that you can go the distance with projects that are complex, time-consuming, and long. You can’t just have a job that is always quick wins. Sometimes the wins take time. Sometimes weeks, months, and even years.
Now this isn’t a problem. When I play Marvel Strike Force they often have events that can take six months and even a year to complete. I know because I have played that game for several years and they structure it around these long-term events. I don’t get frustrated because there is not an easy and quick win. Although they have those as well each day. When I got Super Skrull and talked about it already, I felt proud of what I had done. It wasn’t easy but I got him. When I want to do something I do it, and this has always been my way.
Life isn’t frustrating when we don’t get what we want right away. Life is frustrating when we feel we have nothing to do and are useless. I have never felt that way. There is always someone to help. At work, or in your personal life. We just need to decide to make them a priority and help and focus our time and love on them.
Is it difficult? Yes. Is it worthwhile? Absolutely.