It is scary to think no one is checking up on you and monitoring your progress on various projects. It makes me wonder what your superior will say during your annual review.

I wish you well.

P. S. -- If this is a result of depression or feeling it is all futile and you have given up then for your sake and for the sake of the agency you might consider leaving and going to a work environment where you can be productive and where what you do does matter and is considered.

I agree. It is quite scary that there is no accountability. Despite the fact that I've been experimenting, it's mostly for entertainment as opposed to being depressed by the whole thing. I do put nose to the grindstone on self-initiated projects, deadlines, etc. I motivate myself and I take on outside projects that stimulate me and make best use of my skills. (Proactively working on becoming self-employed in next few years).
...and what annual review?...Most of us in this office have gone years without one! Even if we ask, we get the standard HR form. Feedback consists of "way to go", "great job", "keep doing your best" ... It's...quaint.

Oh, man! This is bad! Really bad! You stepping into a self-employed arena will be a shocker compared to what you have had to deal with.

I wish you well. You deserve better.

I didn't see how bad it really appeared until I read your responses to my posts. Wow. I do deserve better. What do you suggest HR Guy in regards to career transitioning?

If I wanted to transition to self-employment I would think creatively about what sort of service I planned on providing and who needs it. I would contact those companies and ask questions:

1. are you satisfied with the service you are receiving?
2. If you could change suppliers, would you?
3. what sort of service and pricing would you prefer from someone providing this service?
4. if someone came along with a better product or service and their price was cheaper but they were new and untested what is the liklihood of the decision-maker taking a chance on them? (best to be speaking directly to the decision-maker at this point)

Without knowing what you do it is a little difficult for me to help with where you want to go.

But the main thing is: you need to know your market -- the companies or individuals you plan on servicing.

1. Who are they?
2. Where are they?
3. Are they prospering?
4. Or they about to fold?
5. How long have they been around?
6. How long have your future competitors been servicng them?
7. Is that relationship (between target company and your future competitor) strong? Fragile?
8. What do these target companies expect as regards quality, service, speed of delivery, technical assistance, your personal availablity?
9. What makes them happy? How can you not just satisfy them but delight them?
10. What are they dissatisfied about (as regards the competitors you will be running against)?

It is only in knowing the answers to these questions can you hope to position yourself in a way that makes you outshine competitors.

There are also all sorts of hidden costs to running your own business. You need to know about licenses, certifications, degrees, training, any bonding that may be required, insurance, taxes (fed, state, county, local), laws that govern what you do (fed, state, county, local).

How much can you successfully charge for your services that will allow you to be competitive and at the same time help you to be profitable.

Statistics show 2/3 of all self-started businesses fail within their first three years. Why? Not enough research and not enough capital. Information is power. The more you know the wider your eyes are open and the less likely you will step into the same trap most entrepeneurs do. Ask questions. Research. Find 5 people who are doing professionally what you want to do and interview them. Tell them you are thinking about getting into the business or that you are investigating this type of business out of curiousity. Invite them to dinner or lunch and pay for their meal.

1. Ask how they got started
2. what their normal day is like
3. how long have they been doing this for a living?
4. do they enjoy it?
5. What do they like about it?
6. What do they hate about it?
7. If they could go back and start over what would they do differently?
8. What advice can they give regarding pitfalls to avoid?
9. What moves have they made that have proven to be successful for them?
10. What advice could they give someone who is starting out in the same business?
11. What is a realistic expectation of annual salary for the first few years in this line of work? (Here is where you find out you either need to keep your day job or find some investors with deep pockets.)

Look for a small business assiociation nearby and arrange a meeting with their counsel. They can help you set up a financial forecast and development plan which you may be able to take to a banker and get a loan to launch out with.

Keep in mind though that all businesses are risky. There is no guarantee of success. Some people may be good at a particular thing but that does not necessarily mean they are good business people, managers or good money-handlers.

It sounds like 2010 will be a busy year for you.

To the author of my stupid boss: the lab rat. Really good reflection on the work place - I don't think it could be said better! I too am conducting experiments for my own amusement.

To the author of my stupid boss: the lab rat. Really good reflection on the work place - I don't think it could be said better! I too am conducting experiments for my own amusement.

Thanks for the feedback HR Guy. I think it's positive to have a place to vent about stupid bosses, but then to also get advice to move forward.
To "Have fun at work" - would love to hear about your experiments...could always use some new ideas! Poor bosses... it's so easy!