I quit my job.
This was a big thing for me. I’ve been with my employer for over eight years. There has been so much that is positive that has happened over that time for me there: I’ve learned a lot and built confidence; I’ve explored leadership, which was an unexpected treat; I’ve developed relationships with so many wonderful and talented people; and I’ve spent the past five years under a great mentor and role model of a boss whose lessons and example I will always remember. Continue reading
Here is my work personality: I don’t have a strong vocation. I will do most work as long as it’s not gross or exploitative. But (and this, my friends, is where I become an employer’s dream) once I’m doing something, I want to be the best at it. Objectively. The best. Ever. Which means that as well as being extremely competent, I also like to sometimes throw in a little dazzle, just to make sure I don’t get taken for granted.
Remember how a while ago, I surprised myself by discovering I had a taste for leadership in my career? Well, it turns out my boss thought that’d be a good idea and he promoted me. As of December 1, I’m team lead of my department with four people under me. (Well, one is a temp, but whatever.)
I’ve never been promoted before and I feel so appreciated! It’s like someone gave me an award, some kind of plaque that says, “We see how hard you work and all the good things you do and we think you are capable of doing even better things if we give you a little more responsibility, so that’s what we’re going to do. Go ahead and give yourself a little pat on the back because you’re swell.”
Don’t worry though. I won’t let the power go to my head.
Even if I have moved one step closer to my goal of world domination.
It’s Friday. I love Fridays, and not just because it’s the last day before the weekend. I love them because at my work we are allowed to wear jeans on Fridays.
In case this photo is misleading, I do actually wear a top to work, even on Fridays.
Now, I’ve had jobs where I could wear jeans all the time, and I really didn’t care. Continue reading
To prevent any misunderstandings, I’m going to preface this by saying that I love my boss. Not love love; it’s not like that. But as a boss, he’s quite awesome. He’s a nice guy, is supportive of my professional goals and concerns, and is very pro-work/life balance, which I really respect.
But this week he is on vacation. Our team of five is down to four and I’m pretty much running the show. And I’m surprised to say, I kind of dig it. Continue reading
Worth it?
I currently have two jobs. My main job is a nine-to-fiver and then some. I don’t really know why I took on a second job. Actually, I do. When I applied for it, I had some serious acupressure bills to pay and I felt poor. Continue reading
There’s a poem I remember from high school lit class. It began, “If we had world enough, and time,” and carried on to talk about how, sure, if life were longer, it would be ok to waste time with stalling and mucking around, but life is short — youth is short, so live it while you can, because sooner than you think, you’ll be old and crusty and lacking in options. (Now that I recall, the poet might have been trying to get his reader into bed, but I think it’s still relevant.) Continue reading
Yeah, ok, cat. I can feel the accusation in your eyes. I get it. Go away now.
Ok, for the record, I am not actually playing hooky, even though, yes, it is Friday morning and I am not at work. I actually booked the day off, very legitimately, and I think very thoughtfully as well. My job deals with people from the United States for 99% of the time and all those people are off work for American Thanksgiving, so by choosing to take today off, I’ve made it so that no one has to cover me and there will be no catastrophes in my absence. Lovely.
But I’m sitting here feeling kind of guilty. Continue reading
My One Precious Life 