Ever feel this way?

I feel awful for saying this, but I'm burned out. I need a break. I don't feel productive anymore and worse yet, I'm frustrated with my lack of productiveness.

Today I made this very passionate speech to someone about how (in my mind) my coworkers and I are being persecuted for delivering a message about some changes that have to be made. The nature of our work puts us in the position of having to tell people that they have to change the websites that they've worked long and hard on, in order to conform to the college's web standard.

What amazes me, still after five years, is that within our organization, people feel very free and open about harshly criticizing our department or IT in general. So many times you'll hear people say, "I would've done so-and-so, if IT had come and fixed my computer." Or "if IT hadn't done that, we'd be able to do so-and-so". And people feel more than comfortable in pointing these things out during meetings in front of other people and from the standpoint of an IT person, it's like, "maybe if we insult or embarrass them, they'll get the job done." How rude is that?

As customer service people, we can't do that. If any of us dared called out the short comings, or should I say, perceived shortcomings of anyone in the college, we would be called "smug IT people". Yet and still, we can be insulted all day long and are expected to take it with a smile.

For me, it's a horrible feeling to be directly or indirectly called out in a meeting, especially when the situation could be handle in a private setting before or after the meeting. I find it insulting and blatantly disrespectful.

So, with the changes that are going to take place with the web, the rumors are already flying. And with each rumor, there are people who have an opinion as to what we could do better. I'm all for suggestions, but at a certain point, someone has to say, "listen, this is the way it's going to be and that's all there is to it. Deal with it or leave."

I know I sound very militant and frustrated and in a way I really am. But I'm also very tired and burned out. I just need some cooperation and agreement.

As I typed those words, I heard Cagney saying, "Hey, what world are you living in? People are going to complain. Get used to it." And she's probably right. I can't control the world, nor can I control the people at work. But for once I would love to hear someone say, "I have to convert my site to the new standard? Great, it's about time!"

I'm going to bed...
Only 3 more days...