Things have been really fast and furious at work as of late. To-do lists have been jammed to overflowing. Each day is maximized until I trudge back to my car, exhausted and unable to focus on a computer screen.
As Marcus Buckingham says, you need to find the joy in the hard work you do. Getting through the work so you can go home and relish a little joy is no way to get through a work life. The passion and joy needs to be present for you to feel fulfilled. And they need to be finely woven into your day.
(Ideally, that is.)
Every workday has its drudgery - I agree with that, too. But much is in the attitude, so change is a-coming.
On Monday, I'm going to make some changes.
First task is to calm things down by slowing the pace enough so think rather than simply react. I will face the day, determined to find the bits of joy that can be had with a few small steps.
Really devote some thought to the projects I'm especially keen to contribute to and to make my own.
Appreciate the humor of the many people I work with each day.
Hang up a piece of artwork I really cherish so I see it 8 hours a day instead of hiding it behind a door.
What things can you do to make your workday more enjoyable?
Showing posts with label work. Show all posts
Showing posts with label work. Show all posts
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Friday, May 22, 2009
Grace: Issue 46, Good Day, Sunshine
It's amazing what can happen when you just put it out there, into the world, that you need a reset. Because today, the stars aligned and everything sorted itself out.
- A weekly deadline was met with little drama and smiles all around.
- Coworkers and I hit a favorite lunch spot for laughs and a break.
- Actually got to leave work at the pre-holiday early-dismissal time, rather than being stuck tying up loose ends.
- Got in and out of the grocery store in record time.
- Came home to find one of my favorite magazines waiting for me in the mail.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Grace: Issue 35
- Finishing a necklace with beads from my favorite bead artist.
- Realizing that what I like best about jewelrymaking is the completion.
- Making incremental progress on a big project I've been stewing over at my day job.
- Promising someone a chocolate bunny once Lent is over.
- Watching robins hop around and knowing that spring is definitely en route.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Grace Issue 33: State of Mind
- Ever since I can remember, 3 has been my lucky number. The fact that this is the 33rd issue of Grace made me smile.
- I enjoy the connections I have made with people who are like-minded, and those who are entirely different from me.
- Having too much to do leaves me feeling very unsettled. Lists don't help in that regard; in fact, a lengthy list can make me hyperventilate because it puts all my obligations in stark black and white.
- My desk at work is currently more organized than it's been in months.
- While I thoroughly enjoy gardens and appreciate the beauty of flowers and utility of fresh herbs, I do not have a good track record in terms of keeping them alive. So the fact that bulbs I planted 10 years ago continue to bloom year after year as a harbinger of spring continues to amaze and enthrall me. And they're finally peeking out of the mulch!
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Friday, July 4, 2008
You Never Know, Until You Ask
Back when I was in college, I had aspirations of working in the magazine industry.
How that was going to happen - I was a Philadelphia-area kid, with no aspirations of moving to New York - was anybody's guess.
But as a journalism major, one of our classes focused on production.
Our big assignment that semester was to produce a proposal for a new magazine. I modeled mine as a cross between People magazine and what was then Life.
My magazine, named Faces for the close-up photographs that would compose each issue, was to be an in-depth look at celebrities, popular culture influencers and other luminaries. It would feature artsy, black-and-white photographs of each article's subject. There were departments involved in each issue - involving what, I can't recall.
It was a flawed proposal, but still, it was mine. And I believed in it at the time.
As part of our research, the professor encouraged us to read about the history of various magazines' development, and if we could, interview a professional to get their take.
This was back in the 80s, before the Internet. So there was lots of reading and scrutinizing of microfiche in dark, musty corners of libraries.
Being a writer, I felt I could gain a foothold on the content aspects of my vision for my magazine. But because the visual aspect was something I was less adept at, I decided to interview a few people who knew what they were talking about.
But how?
At the time, I was an avid reader of Glamour and Rolling Stone magazines. The two could not be more dissimilar in terms of their design, or focus. But they were among the publications that inspired me to become a writer in the first place.
So, on a whim, I looked through the mastheads. Figuring I had nothing to lose, I called the main office number at Glamour, and asked to speak with a junior designer. I did the same thing at Rolling Stone.
Miraculously, both got back to me.
Even more surprisingly, each referred me to their bosses. To them, I explained about my project, the research I was doing, and my intention to speak with a professional who could provide some insights.
And art directors at both publications agreed to meet with me - simply because I'd asked!
It was a week before spring break, and I managed to find one day where I could coordinate both appointments.
Rolling Stone was in the morning, and I remember speaking with a woman with short, dark hair and straight-across bangs, who gave me all kinds of insights into photography and art direction and taking risks and establishing a visual voice.
During the Glamour meeting in the afternoon, I met with the publication's art director, who told me how photo shoots are concepted, styled, and shot. By way of example, he talked about an article about the perfect hamburger, and how the bun should be something more grand than the standard puff of white flour you get at the supermarket... that it should be glossy and seeded and the lettuce a more exotic variety than the usual pale, whitish iceberg because bright-green leaves would photograph better.
A few months later, I opened the magazine to see an article featuring just such a photograph, and I relished the behind-the-scenes information.
Each art director was focused on how the visual manifestation of their magazines' brands came through in every image that appeared in the magazine.
The photographs that appeared in Glamour would never look like Vogue's, the art director said. Each had a visual language they used to bring the editor's vision to life each month in a way that reinforced their brand.
So often, I worry about what people will say if I ask for something, but I try often to snap out of that way of thinking. What's the worst that can happen? They say no, and that's it.
I've had amazing things happen, simply because I've asked. When I look back, I realize that it's incredible what I've learned. What I've experienced. Conversations whose meaning and insight have stayed with me for half a lifetime.
If there's one thing I can say on this Independence Day, it's this: Go for it! Ask for what you want. Great things are bound to happen for you when you do.
How that was going to happen - I was a Philadelphia-area kid, with no aspirations of moving to New York - was anybody's guess.
But as a journalism major, one of our classes focused on production.
Our big assignment that semester was to produce a proposal for a new magazine. I modeled mine as a cross between People magazine and what was then Life.
My magazine, named Faces for the close-up photographs that would compose each issue, was to be an in-depth look at celebrities, popular culture influencers and other luminaries. It would feature artsy, black-and-white photographs of each article's subject. There were departments involved in each issue - involving what, I can't recall.
It was a flawed proposal, but still, it was mine. And I believed in it at the time.
As part of our research, the professor encouraged us to read about the history of various magazines' development, and if we could, interview a professional to get their take.
This was back in the 80s, before the Internet. So there was lots of reading and scrutinizing of microfiche in dark, musty corners of libraries.
Being a writer, I felt I could gain a foothold on the content aspects of my vision for my magazine. But because the visual aspect was something I was less adept at, I decided to interview a few people who knew what they were talking about.
But how?
At the time, I was an avid reader of Glamour and Rolling Stone magazines. The two could not be more dissimilar in terms of their design, or focus. But they were among the publications that inspired me to become a writer in the first place.
So, on a whim, I looked through the mastheads. Figuring I had nothing to lose, I called the main office number at Glamour, and asked to speak with a junior designer. I did the same thing at Rolling Stone.
Miraculously, both got back to me.
Even more surprisingly, each referred me to their bosses. To them, I explained about my project, the research I was doing, and my intention to speak with a professional who could provide some insights.
And art directors at both publications agreed to meet with me - simply because I'd asked!
It was a week before spring break, and I managed to find one day where I could coordinate both appointments.
Rolling Stone was in the morning, and I remember speaking with a woman with short, dark hair and straight-across bangs, who gave me all kinds of insights into photography and art direction and taking risks and establishing a visual voice.
During the Glamour meeting in the afternoon, I met with the publication's art director, who told me how photo shoots are concepted, styled, and shot. By way of example, he talked about an article about the perfect hamburger, and how the bun should be something more grand than the standard puff of white flour you get at the supermarket... that it should be glossy and seeded and the lettuce a more exotic variety than the usual pale, whitish iceberg because bright-green leaves would photograph better.
A few months later, I opened the magazine to see an article featuring just such a photograph, and I relished the behind-the-scenes information.
Each art director was focused on how the visual manifestation of their magazines' brands came through in every image that appeared in the magazine.
The photographs that appeared in Glamour would never look like Vogue's, the art director said. Each had a visual language they used to bring the editor's vision to life each month in a way that reinforced their brand.
So often, I worry about what people will say if I ask for something, but I try often to snap out of that way of thinking. What's the worst that can happen? They say no, and that's it.
I've had amazing things happen, simply because I've asked. When I look back, I realize that it's incredible what I've learned. What I've experienced. Conversations whose meaning and insight have stayed with me for half a lifetime.
If there's one thing I can say on this Independence Day, it's this: Go for it! Ask for what you want. Great things are bound to happen for you when you do.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Brave New Worlds
Yesterday, I had lunch with two old friends. And the short time we spent together reaffirmed why we're still in touch.
Each of us had big things happening in our lives, and it was exciting to reconnect and see the spark that the new challenges had to offer.
One friend is about to move to his first house, after having taken on a job at a start-up where he is clearly in "the zone" -- his clients clearly benefit from his expertise, and his knowledge is built upon every day. He clearly relishes the challenge.
Another is laying the foundation for a major life change that means he'll be following his bliss. (This one, you can tell by the twinkle in his eye and the change in his energy that he realizes he's onto something great.)
Me, with my new job, I'm following the peaks and troughs that come with stepping into any new territory. Overall, it's a mash-up between all the different aspects of communications that I've thrived on throughout my career.
At the end of our lunch, I realized how glad I was that I've kept in touch with these folks over the years. (I knew these two back in elementary school, for crying out loud!)
Variety, being the spice of life, is definitely in abundance in my new gig.
The same goes for my friends. And for that, I am both thankful and thrilled.
Each of us had big things happening in our lives, and it was exciting to reconnect and see the spark that the new challenges had to offer.
One friend is about to move to his first house, after having taken on a job at a start-up where he is clearly in "the zone" -- his clients clearly benefit from his expertise, and his knowledge is built upon every day. He clearly relishes the challenge.
Another is laying the foundation for a major life change that means he'll be following his bliss. (This one, you can tell by the twinkle in his eye and the change in his energy that he realizes he's onto something great.)
Me, with my new job, I'm following the peaks and troughs that come with stepping into any new territory. Overall, it's a mash-up between all the different aspects of communications that I've thrived on throughout my career.
At the end of our lunch, I realized how glad I was that I've kept in touch with these folks over the years. (I knew these two back in elementary school, for crying out loud!)
Variety, being the spice of life, is definitely in abundance in my new gig.
The same goes for my friends. And for that, I am both thankful and thrilled.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Vindicated!
Finally, someone has engaged in serious study on the subject of multi-tasking and its ineffectiveness.
All week, I've seen articles by Maggie Jackson, referring to her book, Distracted.
The office of the millennium is rampant with distractions. From colleagues' discussions through cheesy burlap cubicle walls that offer no sound buffer whatsoever, to loud arguments in the hallways, to impromptu brainstorming sessions between collaborating colleagues.
I'm not saying that offices should be silent. That people should squirrel themselves away in their cubicles, never to be heard from until lunchtime. And I'm really not in support of more interruption-oriented tools that purport to do the opposite. (A "whisper" is just as annoying as an IM, in my opinion.)
What I take issue with is how it's been said that all of this open-space office design is not just about cramming more people into less space than a traditional office with a door would allow (and to that, I say: ha!).
But the spin is that cubicles and open-space office interiors exist to foster collaboration.
Now, I'm all about collaboration. I applaud it.
However, I don't think collaboration can be fostered by the space.
It's about the people and their ideas, not the walls or lack thereof.
Collaboration is simply bound to happen spontaneously, when two people are chatting about a problem. And sometimes trying something out - evaluating it on screen, and fixing it on the fly, and whooping in celebratory appreciation of an intractable problem solved. That's how innovation happens.
I get that.
But I don't get that people disrespect the fact that you're obviously working, typing away, trying to get something done, and just walk right into a cubicle and interrupt without asking permission.
It's simple common courtesy. Office Etiquette 101.
Studies have shown that interruptions cause workers to take 30 more minutes to get back to the task at hand. I get interrupted on average at least 20 times a day - so what does that say about my schedule?
No wonder it seems like our to-do lists are only growing, never getting shorter...
There simply aren't enough hours in the day.
All week, I've seen articles by Maggie Jackson, referring to her book, Distracted.
The office of the millennium is rampant with distractions. From colleagues' discussions through cheesy burlap cubicle walls that offer no sound buffer whatsoever, to loud arguments in the hallways, to impromptu brainstorming sessions between collaborating colleagues.
I'm not saying that offices should be silent. That people should squirrel themselves away in their cubicles, never to be heard from until lunchtime. And I'm really not in support of more interruption-oriented tools that purport to do the opposite. (A "whisper" is just as annoying as an IM, in my opinion.)
What I take issue with is how it's been said that all of this open-space office design is not just about cramming more people into less space than a traditional office with a door would allow (and to that, I say: ha!).
But the spin is that cubicles and open-space office interiors exist to foster collaboration.
Now, I'm all about collaboration. I applaud it.
However, I don't think collaboration can be fostered by the space.
It's about the people and their ideas, not the walls or lack thereof.
Collaboration is simply bound to happen spontaneously, when two people are chatting about a problem. And sometimes trying something out - evaluating it on screen, and fixing it on the fly, and whooping in celebratory appreciation of an intractable problem solved. That's how innovation happens.
I get that.
But I don't get that people disrespect the fact that you're obviously working, typing away, trying to get something done, and just walk right into a cubicle and interrupt without asking permission.
It's simple common courtesy. Office Etiquette 101.
Studies have shown that interruptions cause workers to take 30 more minutes to get back to the task at hand. I get interrupted on average at least 20 times a day - so what does that say about my schedule?
No wonder it seems like our to-do lists are only growing, never getting shorter...
There simply aren't enough hours in the day.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Productivity Vs. Drama
This must be different for different people, and at different times of one's life, but I find that the less drama I have to deal with, the more productive I am.
I use the word "drama" as a placeholder for many things, but basically it's referring to something that stirs the pot to no apparent other benefit.
When the seas are calm, I find that my mind is relaxed enough to fire off quick decisions, write with more confidence, and see creative solutions through a lens that renders them more sharply than when the perfect storm is brewing.
Maybe energy is just sucked from a situation when the black hole of drama is present. I don't know.
All I know is that there has been fairly little drama in my life for the past month, yet it's been one of the most productive I've ever experienced.
Friday, May 30, 2008
Going Retro
They say communication can be challenging when Mercury is retrograde.
When communication is how one make's one's living, well... suffice it to say that good old Mercury might account for the fact that I've felt like I've been swimming through jello for days -- all elbows-out action, bone-rattling fatigue but barely any progress to show for it.
Mercury's winged foot has been kicking my butt all week!
Although I have to say, I have some pretty awesome people in my life right now. The psychological support brought on by the idea of "I've got your back" and just knowing other people sympathize and can help out and give advice when you're feeling swamped is good for shoring up the emotional resources needed to get over the hump that stands between you and progress on the to-do list.
It's hard for me to ask for help and I've come to understand that's a character flaw. Playing nice with others while being a responsible, self-sufficient worker - with a heaping helping of creative idea wrangling - has always been my modus operandi.
But if I'm not careful, it degrades into the worst form of perfectionism-plagued procrastination. Can't do it perfect, so it's not worth starting now.
That turns into a major problem when there's lots to do and lots to learn.
So I'm about to go nose-down into planning mode, working on a few things that will make next week awesome and give me a leg up on some projects that have been looming.
I always hated those aphorisms of "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail" and others of that ilk. But I have to admit, there's some truth to it in some cases.
What do you do to pull yourself out of a retrograde rut?
When communication is how one make's one's living, well... suffice it to say that good old Mercury might account for the fact that I've felt like I've been swimming through jello for days -- all elbows-out action, bone-rattling fatigue but barely any progress to show for it.
Mercury's winged foot has been kicking my butt all week!
Although I have to say, I have some pretty awesome people in my life right now. The psychological support brought on by the idea of "I've got your back" and just knowing other people sympathize and can help out and give advice when you're feeling swamped is good for shoring up the emotional resources needed to get over the hump that stands between you and progress on the to-do list.
It's hard for me to ask for help and I've come to understand that's a character flaw. Playing nice with others while being a responsible, self-sufficient worker - with a heaping helping of creative idea wrangling - has always been my modus operandi.
But if I'm not careful, it degrades into the worst form of perfectionism-plagued procrastination. Can't do it perfect, so it's not worth starting now.
That turns into a major problem when there's lots to do and lots to learn.
So I'm about to go nose-down into planning mode, working on a few things that will make next week awesome and give me a leg up on some projects that have been looming.
I always hated those aphorisms of "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail" and others of that ilk. But I have to admit, there's some truth to it in some cases.
What do you do to pull yourself out of a retrograde rut?
Thursday, May 29, 2008
The Short-Week Scramble
It has been a whirlwind of a week, let me tell you... This sculpture depicts what I've felt like the past few days. The off-kilter-ness, the swirling, feeling caught in a net. If only for the swarm of butterflies, it would be a perfect metaphor.
When the long weekend was upon us, I was all a-twitter. Three days! Of blissful weather and lots of time to luxuriate in it, with minimal commitments. Ah.
But I'd forgotten the dirty little secrets of those long weekends - that they result in shorter weeks. And the deadlines? Feh, they just keep pilin' on!
So cramming 40 hours into 4 days is harder than I remember it. When was that last holiday, again?
I'm just pressing on, though. Friday's almost here, baby, and I can just imagine all the grilling that's going to happen this weekend. Even if it rains, we're covered.
Oh, yeah.
But I'd forgotten the dirty little secrets of those long weekends - that they result in shorter weeks. And the deadlines? Feh, they just keep pilin' on!
So cramming 40 hours into 4 days is harder than I remember it. When was that last holiday, again?
I'm just pressing on, though. Friday's almost here, baby, and I can just imagine all the grilling that's going to happen this weekend. Even if it rains, we're covered.
Oh, yeah.
What are you doing this weekend?
Friday, May 23, 2008
How to Start Your Day Right
Squeeze a little extra sleep past the wake-up music drizzling out of the iPod.
Arise to sunshine dappling the trees - a welcome change from rainy gray starts to last several days.
Window shades up, light fills bedroom, dancing across honey-colored hardwood floors.
Read random Real Simple article about herb compatible garden plant pairings.
Saunter down to end of driveway to pick up newspaper.
Catch sight of flower beds, with past-their-prime bulb foliage reminding you to plant annuals.
Consider riot of purple and gold pansies, reminiscent of your high school colors.
Decide on petunias, purple wave, to introduce explosive unruly color.
Make mental note to stop by fairy-tale plant nursery, the one with the shady inspiration garden you can walk through on the way in to the retail area.
Stretch.
Add toast to the usual cereal regime of breakfast, so you can use that jam you like.
Take the few minutes to make tea, too - decide it's worth the effort.
Savor the vanilla rooibos flavor.
Finish morning primp routine and find jacket you love is back from cleaners.
Jump in car and drive two miles to work - in heavy traffic, but still easy on the gasoline budget.
Breathe.
Walk into office building, with the knowledge that your to-do list will flex and grow and shrink as the demands of the day require, but that you're doing your best.
Photo: My father-in-law's gardening talents at work
Saturday, May 17, 2008
IM is Overrated
While I see how it can be beneficial in short-and-sweet doses - "Ready for lunch?" "Make it 200 pixels." "There's doughnuts in the break room." - for the most part, I think IM is overrated.
In the office, that is.
All the research points to the efficiency of multi-tasking being a myth. The worst thing for productivity. The bane of our lives in the 2000's.
And what does IM do? It facilitates constant interruption, the feeding of the never-satisfied, ravenously hungry, 21st-century, need-it-now, Google-dependent mind.
But it doesn't increase productivity, I'm convinced. At least for me.
Working on a complicated task, learning the ropes and putting names with faces during the first week at a new job can foster enough multi-tasking overload on their own.
Add in an onslaught of IM that just ratchets up the strain and breaks the concentration. Or at least, requires you start over at square one because the train of thought has been thoroughly derailed.
I speak from experience - but not at my new job.
At my new job, IM is verboten. Yes!
You'd think that would lead to email overload. And I'm sure at some times, it does.
But mostly, it leads to face-to-face conversations. Or a quick call to get an answer. Done and done.
And in the process, you get to know your colleagues just a little bit better.
Sure, there are times that I've missed it over the past few weeks. Technology can definitely help in many situations.
But largely? It's been a breath of fresh air not to be pecked-at by a constant stream of IMs from people I barely know, obscured by a digital veneer.
And so far? Really getting to know these people has been one of the most positive work experiences of my life.
In the office, that is.
All the research points to the efficiency of multi-tasking being a myth. The worst thing for productivity. The bane of our lives in the 2000's.
And what does IM do? It facilitates constant interruption, the feeding of the never-satisfied, ravenously hungry, 21st-century, need-it-now, Google-dependent mind.
But it doesn't increase productivity, I'm convinced. At least for me.
Working on a complicated task, learning the ropes and putting names with faces during the first week at a new job can foster enough multi-tasking overload on their own.
Add in an onslaught of IM that just ratchets up the strain and breaks the concentration. Or at least, requires you start over at square one because the train of thought has been thoroughly derailed.
I speak from experience - but not at my new job.
At my new job, IM is verboten. Yes!
You'd think that would lead to email overload. And I'm sure at some times, it does.
But mostly, it leads to face-to-face conversations. Or a quick call to get an answer. Done and done.
And in the process, you get to know your colleagues just a little bit better.
Sure, there are times that I've missed it over the past few weeks. Technology can definitely help in many situations.
But largely? It's been a breath of fresh air not to be pecked-at by a constant stream of IMs from people I barely know, obscured by a digital veneer.
And so far? Really getting to know these people has been one of the most positive work experiences of my life.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Pleasantly Surprised
You know when you are looking forward to something, and it's even better than you expected, and it takes you by surprise?
Well, my new job has been like that.
I've met dozens of people who are interested in making innovation happen - and who value my contribution to the conversation!
Smart, funny people who like cake.
And flowers! Really, really nice ones - on my first day.
There's a steep learning curve, for sure, but I'm climbing it steadily every day.
Already, halfway through week 2, I've made connections and breakthroughs and the wheels are turning with plenty of ideas for the future.
Do I like this job? Past experience makes me want to reserve judgment for a while... Once burned, twice shy and all that.
But the optimist in me says that all signs point to Yes.
My Chinese-food fortune the day I started?
Oh, yeah!
Well, my new job has been like that.
I've met dozens of people who are interested in making innovation happen - and who value my contribution to the conversation!
Smart, funny people who like cake.
And flowers! Really, really nice ones - on my first day.
There's a steep learning curve, for sure, but I'm climbing it steadily every day.
Already, halfway through week 2, I've made connections and breakthroughs and the wheels are turning with plenty of ideas for the future.
Do I like this job? Past experience makes me want to reserve judgment for a while... Once burned, twice shy and all that.
But the optimist in me says that all signs point to Yes.
My Chinese-food fortune the day I started?
"Take advantage of your great imagination. It will serve you well."
Oh, yeah!
Friday, May 2, 2008
Working for a Living
While it can be a lot of little things that chip away at your satisfaction over time, I believe there's always a precise moment where you realize you're in the wrong job. At least that's been the case for me.
It could occur any time.
Making the connection that there's a disconnect between one's values and the organization's.
Feeling the daily struggle to do your best work, knowing that the tasks aren't aligned with your career goals - and knowing there's a better match somewhere else.
Hearing a statement that cuts to the core of the problem, articulating the ennui you've struggled so hard to put your finger on.
Whatever the situation, there's a moment of clarity encased in glass, "Yes! That's exactly why this isn't working!"
I've been through my share of light bulb moments - and job searches.
This last search was the most satisfying because after many years, I absolutely know myself. It's taken a while to believe the results of the inventory, but I know my talents, I know my interests, and all that was left was finding where my skills are put to best use.
People talk about being your best self, your most authentic. Knowing yourself is paramount. Too often we struggle along, trying to make things right, when the wrong is in the fit.
Trying something else on for size might involve a small shift, like changing roles or even departments. Or it could require a bigger commitment, like changing the organization you work for entirely.
But change is good. And like the cliches say, the only constant is change, these days.
I'm about to embark on a job change that on the face of it sounds like a perfect match. Room for growth, a chance to apply hard-won knowledge, and to take advantage of opportunities for learning.
At the same time, I'm bringing a new attitude to work, ensuring that I make time for the other things in life that are important to me, that give life balance.
That's definitely been challenging in the past. But that's what's good about the future - the future is unwritten.
It's an exciting time - scary, but good scary!
It could occur any time.
Making the connection that there's a disconnect between one's values and the organization's.
Feeling the daily struggle to do your best work, knowing that the tasks aren't aligned with your career goals - and knowing there's a better match somewhere else.
Hearing a statement that cuts to the core of the problem, articulating the ennui you've struggled so hard to put your finger on.
Whatever the situation, there's a moment of clarity encased in glass, "Yes! That's exactly why this isn't working!"
I've been through my share of light bulb moments - and job searches.
This last search was the most satisfying because after many years, I absolutely know myself. It's taken a while to believe the results of the inventory, but I know my talents, I know my interests, and all that was left was finding where my skills are put to best use.
People talk about being your best self, your most authentic. Knowing yourself is paramount. Too often we struggle along, trying to make things right, when the wrong is in the fit.
Trying something else on for size might involve a small shift, like changing roles or even departments. Or it could require a bigger commitment, like changing the organization you work for entirely.
But change is good. And like the cliches say, the only constant is change, these days.
I'm about to embark on a job change that on the face of it sounds like a perfect match. Room for growth, a chance to apply hard-won knowledge, and to take advantage of opportunities for learning.
At the same time, I'm bringing a new attitude to work, ensuring that I make time for the other things in life that are important to me, that give life balance.
That's definitely been challenging in the past. But that's what's good about the future - the future is unwritten.
It's an exciting time - scary, but good scary!
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
The "Whiching" Hour
You know what the "Whiching Hour" is.
It's the time of night where you wake up and have to decide which you want: to go back to sleep, or get up and act upon whatever's on your mind and keeping you from catching the rest of those Z's.
For me, the Whiching Hour is 4 am. Usually my alarm goes off at 6:30 am, so if for whatever reason I wake up briefly at 4 am and my mind is whirring about a project or my to-do list, I have a decision to make...
If I indulge those thoughts much longer than a minute or two, getting back to sleep can be nearly impossible.
After a few minutes of conscious thought, I'm likely to be engaged in problem-solving mode, or fretting over a confrontation that's to come, or working through a creative idea.
When I'm leaning toward waking and starting my day, I look at whether I can start and end work earlier than usual, before I crash. I try to assess my sleep deficit overall for the week.
But at 4 am, with 2.5 hours to go until the music wakes me from my slumber, that's a decent chunk of sleep to be had.
On those mornings that I'm feeling sleep-deprived, I reach for a notebook I keep on my bedside table to scribble some notes, hoping that writing it down for processing later will put my mind at ease.
Many friends have said they experience the same thing. Similar forms of sleep interruptus must be at least partially responsible for all the tired and cranky people in this country.
And I know I've sent far more than my share of emails at 4:14 am.
How about you? How do you deal with your own "Whiching Hour"?
It's the time of night where you wake up and have to decide which you want: to go back to sleep, or get up and act upon whatever's on your mind and keeping you from catching the rest of those Z's.
For me, the Whiching Hour is 4 am. Usually my alarm goes off at 6:30 am, so if for whatever reason I wake up briefly at 4 am and my mind is whirring about a project or my to-do list, I have a decision to make...
If I indulge those thoughts much longer than a minute or two, getting back to sleep can be nearly impossible.
After a few minutes of conscious thought, I'm likely to be engaged in problem-solving mode, or fretting over a confrontation that's to come, or working through a creative idea.
When I'm leaning toward waking and starting my day, I look at whether I can start and end work earlier than usual, before I crash. I try to assess my sleep deficit overall for the week.
But at 4 am, with 2.5 hours to go until the music wakes me from my slumber, that's a decent chunk of sleep to be had.
On those mornings that I'm feeling sleep-deprived, I reach for a notebook I keep on my bedside table to scribble some notes, hoping that writing it down for processing later will put my mind at ease.
Many friends have said they experience the same thing. Similar forms of sleep interruptus must be at least partially responsible for all the tired and cranky people in this country.
And I know I've sent far more than my share of emails at 4:14 am.
How about you? How do you deal with your own "Whiching Hour"?
Monday, March 3, 2008
The Past Few Days: A List
- Making homemade gnocchi with my sweetie.
- A meeting with someone who sits at a desk covered with more paper than mine.
- My favorite pair of brown shoes, found in black at 75% off.
- A boy running out of school and into the wind while furiously combing his hair.
- The first unseasonably warm day of 60-plus degrees!
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Calendar Queen
The onslaught of New Year's resolutions begets planning. And planning begets calendars.
Over the years, I've used Palm and Handspring handhelds, and like everyone else I use Outlook for business. Digital solutions are great for beeping reminders, planning years into the future, or recurring tasks.
But I've found that I need the tactile sensation of writing on paper. Faster to write, easier to check off. Nothing to charge up. Done!
However, using a Franklin Covey 5x8 calendar over the past year (with spiral-bound booklets for each month), has introduced more frustrations.
While the thing is large enough to write in easily, it's a horse to lug around.
You'd think swapping months in and out wouldn't be a big deal, but when the folio is only large enough to house three spiral-bound items at a time, it's a pain. Having only a three-month view of my schedule at any given time is . . . well, it creates its own little kind of stress.
It always felt like I was missing something, or that a deadline was lurking in the shadows of the future.
Plus, the thing is so large that it doesn't fit into my everyday handbag. That is a problem.
For the moment, I'm mostly working on short-term projects, but most of the time I tend to work on longer-range projects that span multiple months.
So after much hunting around online and in neighborhood stationery stores, I located this. And so far, it's the perfect solution.
Portable, a year in your palm. It's a chunk of a calendar, but everything is within reach. And that coral-lipstick red cover shines like a beacon in my purse, making it easy to spot.
What kind of calendar do you use? What makes it work for you?
Over the years, I've used Palm and Handspring handhelds, and like everyone else I use Outlook for business. Digital solutions are great for beeping reminders, planning years into the future, or recurring tasks.
But I've found that I need the tactile sensation of writing on paper. Faster to write, easier to check off. Nothing to charge up. Done!
However, using a Franklin Covey 5x8 calendar over the past year (with spiral-bound booklets for each month), has introduced more frustrations.
While the thing is large enough to write in easily, it's a horse to lug around.
You'd think swapping months in and out wouldn't be a big deal, but when the folio is only large enough to house three spiral-bound items at a time, it's a pain. Having only a three-month view of my schedule at any given time is . . . well, it creates its own little kind of stress.
It always felt like I was missing something, or that a deadline was lurking in the shadows of the future.
Plus, the thing is so large that it doesn't fit into my everyday handbag. That is a problem.
For the moment, I'm mostly working on short-term projects, but most of the time I tend to work on longer-range projects that span multiple months.
So after much hunting around online and in neighborhood stationery stores, I located this. And so far, it's the perfect solution.
Portable, a year in your palm. It's a chunk of a calendar, but everything is within reach. And that coral-lipstick red cover shines like a beacon in my purse, making it easy to spot.
What kind of calendar do you use? What makes it work for you?
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Unfair Tradeoff?
Recently, I met an acquaintance who told me something that gave me pause.
Because the company this person had joined - some 30 years ago - had been bought, sold and merged numerous times with competitors and unrelated multinational conglomerates, the management at the top didn't understand their business. And so placed leaders at the company that lacked vision, direction and a clue.
What had once been a company founded on aggressively creative, superior-quality products for a niche market had abandoned its original mission and now was focused solely on quarterly targets and the requisite cost-cutting. Of course, these cuts were never made in such a way that they could ever have a long-term impact.
This person's coworkers shared the same frustrations. Everyone was stressed-out, dreaded coming to work and felt like they were fighting an uphill battle.
My heart really went out to this person, whose angst made it sound as if a new job would be the only solution. But then I heard something I've heard many times before:
"I'd never leave now; I get six weeks' vacation and I'd never get that anywhere else."
So this smart, funny, creative and hardworking person is trading 46 weeks of misery each year for six weeks of happiness.
Rather than finding a place where 49 or 50 weeks of fulfillment was at least a possibility, the tradeoff was staying put and holding tight onto that paid time off.
No matter how much fun you can jam into those six week of vacation time, it just strikes me as an unfair tradeoff.
I'd rather be reasonably engaged in my work for those 49/50 weeks per year - learning, producing, collaborating, deriving some sense of satisfaction - and look forward to just a couple of weeks of R+R each year to recharge my batteries.
Am I alone in this view? What do you think?
Because the company this person had joined - some 30 years ago - had been bought, sold and merged numerous times with competitors and unrelated multinational conglomerates, the management at the top didn't understand their business. And so placed leaders at the company that lacked vision, direction and a clue.
What had once been a company founded on aggressively creative, superior-quality products for a niche market had abandoned its original mission and now was focused solely on quarterly targets and the requisite cost-cutting. Of course, these cuts were never made in such a way that they could ever have a long-term impact.
This person's coworkers shared the same frustrations. Everyone was stressed-out, dreaded coming to work and felt like they were fighting an uphill battle.
My heart really went out to this person, whose angst made it sound as if a new job would be the only solution. But then I heard something I've heard many times before:
"I'd never leave now; I get six weeks' vacation and I'd never get that anywhere else."
So this smart, funny, creative and hardworking person is trading 46 weeks of misery each year for six weeks of happiness.
Rather than finding a place where 49 or 50 weeks of fulfillment was at least a possibility, the tradeoff was staying put and holding tight onto that paid time off.
No matter how much fun you can jam into those six week of vacation time, it just strikes me as an unfair tradeoff.
I'd rather be reasonably engaged in my work for those 49/50 weeks per year - learning, producing, collaborating, deriving some sense of satisfaction - and look forward to just a couple of weeks of R+R each year to recharge my batteries.
Am I alone in this view? What do you think?
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Avoiding Project Management Pitfalls
Only about one-third of the way through the book, Scrappy Project Management, and already I can say that I recommend this book if you have to:
In any case, this book is a great reminder of the pitfalls of project management and how to keep things from veering off track.
One of her most valuable suggestions is to create an org chart for the project team, illustrating how people relate to each other and noting (briefly) what their responsibilities are in the context of the project.
Wiefling notes that the org chart for the project is likely to have absolutely nothing to do with your organization's actual formal org chart. This is the chart that serves as a roadmap to getting things done.
(You know how it is; there are some slots in an org chart where you can't possibly figure out what that person does, even if you've sat in countless meetings with them.)
The tips are fairly practical, and although the author is a consultant, her insights are completely applicable when managing projects in-house.
Never thought reading a book on project management could be entertaining, but this one is.
- lead a team
- work on a team, or
- rely on people across your organization for your projects to reach the finish line successfully.
"Be prepared to be respected but not necessarily liked, and keep your resume up to date!"
- Kimberly Wiefling, Scrappy Project Management
- Kimberly Wiefling, Scrappy Project Management
In any case, this book is a great reminder of the pitfalls of project management and how to keep things from veering off track.
One of her most valuable suggestions is to create an org chart for the project team, illustrating how people relate to each other and noting (briefly) what their responsibilities are in the context of the project.
Wiefling notes that the org chart for the project is likely to have absolutely nothing to do with your organization's actual formal org chart. This is the chart that serves as a roadmap to getting things done.
(You know how it is; there are some slots in an org chart where you can't possibly figure out what that person does, even if you've sat in countless meetings with them.)
The tips are fairly practical, and although the author is a consultant, her insights are completely applicable when managing projects in-house.
Never thought reading a book on project management could be entertaining, but this one is.
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