Archive for the ‘office’ Category
Monday, April 11th, 2011 |
This morning I got ready to go to work after a week’s leave. Not feeling quite ecstatic, nor was I down in the dumps.
A nice middle medium on the Monday morning mood scale, I would say.
I’ve been better. And I’ve been worse.
So I walked into the office only for the receptionist to greet without looking at me. Not quite a rare occurance, much less on a Monday morning. But I thought since I was on leave and all…
As cheerily as I could muster under the circumstances, I went to greet my office buddy and then made some coffee.
And from there it all went downhill!
What follows might be considered entirely ridiculous to some…actually to most sane people. Even to me. And I recognise my part in the absurdities to follow.
I went to my desk with coffee in hand, feeling rather pleased that I remembered to bring some to work this time.
(I put reminders on my phone because at my age you have to!)
My computer took forever to boot up, but I checked e-mail on my Blackberry to pass the time.
The phone rang – that annoying inside the building ring tone that I hate. Not to be confused with the annoying outside the building ring tone that I hate.
Receptionist: “How many batteries should I buy for the digital cameras?”
Me thinking to self: “Huh?” “Does she know I was on leave for a week?”
Me to Receptionist: “How must I know?”
Me to self: “Lord make me an instrument of Thy peace…”
Me to Receptionist: “…rechargeable batteries, I would say…”
Receptionist, interrupting: “I was told to buy regular batteries.”
Me to self: “Why is she asking me this crap!” “Why not ask the person who told her to buy batteries in the first place????”
To Receptionist: “Buy 8, no make that 16,” shaking my head and starting to feel very annoyed.
Me to self: “…may I not as much seek to be understood as to understand;”
Receptionist: “We ran out of batteries last week and you know how things are when you’re not here.”
Yep! Probably similar to what it’s like when I am there.
But she probably meant someone else had to buy batteries, set up laptops and data projectors, video-tape children playing, give digital cameras to whoever needs them, download said photos to network, troubleshoot IT issues and photocopier machines and website edits, in case you wondering.
None of which is my main task, mind you!
Me to self: “Why the F*@# did they not just buy batteries when they ran out???” As that is what I, in my infinite wisdom, would have done.
Now I was pissed off!
Me to Receptionist: “Well, that’s what I have do every day.”
Me to self: “Why the F*@# can’t these people think for themselves?” “Must I never take leave, ever?” Like hell!
Funny enough the receptionist was not the person I was most angry with…she just started the ball rolling.
Posted in Life, office | No Comments »
Tuesday, March 29th, 2011 |
“Give me one reason to go to work today,” I told myself this morning.
My back was sore, so was my stomach and I felt pretty awful.
The reason turned out to be quite simple. I was needed today especially.
Not to mention the fact that I get paid to pitch up for work.
But that’s besides the point of this particular blog post.
The point is…what?
I already forgot! Damn ageing process!
I think the point was that sometimes you have to do stuff even when you don’t want to.
But in hindsight I was meant to be at work today. Because I was needed.
I also needed to be there though to learn the lesson.
My colleagues asked that I film three toddlers while they played. One was sleeping for a bit.
That was fun!
Then out of nowhere another colleague got me laughing with her dry sense of humour.
I was astounded to hear myself laughing with such joy!
Where did that come from? I wasn’t feeling particularly joyous!
I just kept on laughing.
But what was that bubbling feeling in my chest? I was blissfully happy even while I was experiencing an up and down day.
Nothing is different from a year ago, yet everything is.
Because I view things differently.
I still get stressed, PMS, angry, irritated, pissed off, disappointed and just all round cranky.
But I accept that crap happens and I try as much as I can to let it go ASAP!
And somehow or other it worked because suddenly the annoyances have a shorter lifespan.
Which leaves space for joy. That I didn’t even know existed inside me.
Bad moments no longer define me. But neither do great moments. They are all small moments in time. And they all will eventually pass.
I’m learning to accept them all with grace. Not always successfully.
I will keep trying though.
Posted in Life, office | No Comments »
Sunday, March 20th, 2011 |
Monday morning started with quiet meditation, a Christian prayer and a Buddhist mantra. I was leaving nothing to chance!
But by 8.35am all semblance of the early morning peacefulness had disappeared into thin air.
UNISA’s servers were down (again) and I had three assignments due. And then we had our team meeting at work. Which I only attend because I’m obligated to do so by our staffing policy. I checked!
Monday was no different.
One thing led to another, as these things sometimes do, and before you could say “OHMMM”, I was a mad mess.
Tuesday started with more meditation and prayers at home. Such lovely mornings I have…
Back at work I was called into a meeting with two managers. (We love meetings at my place of work.) I was reasonably and calmly told why I should still be doing a task I no longer wanted to do.
And which I was told in December that I would no longer have to do.
“You are so good at it.” I was told “and giving the job to someone else would not work as well.”
I felt my brown face turn blood red and before I knew it I interrupted them. With a not so calm voice.
“You are not leaving me any room to grow,” I almost shouted. Almost cried, almost embarrassed myself.
But I didn’t care!
I was being held back to do a task they could train a monkey to do?
Hell no!
I was seeing my new career float into thin air before it had even started.
“No,” said one manager in a reasonable, calm voice. “Just hold on and be patient for a little while longer.” “We’re working on a plan.”
Why didn’t she just say that at the start of the meeting?
However, a lesson was learnt.
There’s a time for quiet prayer and there’s a time for allowing my emotions to get the better of me.
I’ve been given all sorts of advice recently. Be patient, be strategic, be less emotional…
And I take some of the advice. Because I don’t know all the answers.
However, there comes a time to raise your voice so you can be heard. Just as a reminder to yourself and others that you have a voice.
Believe me… I will use mine when I have to.
Posted in Life, office | No Comments »
Tuesday, October 5th, 2010 |
Confession time again.
I lost my cool a bit at work on Friday and marched into a colleague’s office, slunk into a chair and had a mini freak out.
She calmly told me what my options were and gave me a few ways to solve the (work related) problem.
I hated to admit that the problem was me, but did so anyway. Particularly my inability to handle criticism.
Recently I read part of an article in Fairlady about neuroleadership. The concept isn’t new – likely just a new buzzword. Or not. I wasn’t exactly interested.
One thing stood out though. The article said: if you are being micromanaged, show initiative.
That hit the right spot, because of my strong belief in taking personal responsibility for my actions and choices.
It actually helped my work situation, even though I wasn’t being micromanaged at that point. However it made me see how I felt personally attacked when the situation was definitely not personal. And that the solution had to come from me.
So I got to work, continued the project and asked for opinions to improve it.
I’ve taken it even further by reminding myself that someone’s opinion is just that. It doesn’t make or break me, unless I choose.
I’ve also taken back my power (in Zen Abby mode) from my gossiping colleagues whose group have currently dwindled to two. Because I realise that in the past when I’ve felt powerless, angry or fearful, it was easier to find validation by finding fault with or hurting someone else.
And anyway, without intending to, their actions have made me a better, stronger person. Not forgetting healthier and fitter.
Hopefully I’ll remember of all the above the next time I’m having a bad day.
Posted in Life, office | No Comments »
Thursday, August 26th, 2010 |
I know it shouldn’t, but it still surprises me the lack of manners some people portray. Especially at the office. I just don’t get it.
Maybe it’s because I’m reserved by nature and won’t just say something without thinking it through. And most things are anyway just not my business.
My latest (although not new) pet peeve is colleagues who comment on my weight. I’ve never commented on anyone else’s weight at work, home or anywhere else.
So why do they think they have a right to tell me how thin I am and then wondering why – some inferring and some outright asking if its for some guy. My guy liked me a two years ago, a year ago and now. And in that time I put on and lost 5kg. I would never try to impress someone who didn’t already like me. But that’s besides the point.
I don’t go around telling people how fat they are. Asking why they don’t eat less food and exercise more.
Like yesterday.
I had to endure comments all day about my weight – but what really pissed me off was a conversation I had with a colleague about diets and stuff. She initiated the conversation.
I seldom, if ever, bring up the subject of health and fitness or anything that might make someone feel bad about themselves.
My colleague though added for effect that she wouldn’t be starving herself. Surmising that I do.
Whether I am or not – and I’m not – is none of her business.
I’ve made it quite clear (I think) that I don’t consider colleagues to be my friends. I’m generally friendly with them and for the most part we have a pleasant working relationship. But that’s all it is to me. A working relationship.
There are some things appropriate to discuss at work. Some people don’t mind complaining about their weight all day and discuss their various diets with anyone who will listen. That’s their prerogative.
I am not one of those people.
Posted in Life, office | No Comments »
.jpg)
