~ Opportunities to find deeper powers within ourselves come when life seems most challenging ~ Joseph Campbell
Yeah, I've been bad - haven't written as much as what I wanted to. The project is crazy, crazy. We are meant to be back in the office this week, well sort of. Tuesday we were back at the consultants, today I had my last day of my Business Management course and then tonight we're in Brisbane. Friday we will be back in the consultants office in Adelaide.
Bliss tonight is dinner on the pier, then sitting curled up alone on a lounge in my nice, plush hotel room on the 12th floor with no 'home duties' to do. I can put what I want on the TV, no-one is wrestling on the floor while I am trying to watch something on TV because the MM's are all home in Adelaide taking care of themselves.
I could get used to this new working life, lots of variety and new experiences. I know that makes me sound like such a dag, most people take this sort of working life for granted, but while it's new for me I can take pleasure in it. The boss is blase about the Qantas Club, me I've never been in there. I've travelled enough but not with the 'business' benefits, so that was a new experience for me.
I've now completed my Business Management Diploma and a Certifcate 4 in Project Management all barring the final projects for assessment. Qualifications that I couldn't hope to have got in my last position. Mind you, I think I've learnt more in the last 5 weeks about Project Management than I could ever hope to learn from a textbook. Life experience craps all over classroom teaching.
Good thing I wasn't really interested in watching TV, the choices on Brisbane channels on a Wednesday night are appalling. Well, I think I'll make myself a cuppa and relax on my balcony with a cigarette and enjoy the view.
Cheers for now
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Hard work never hurt anyone?
I shall be open to the sacred knowledge of ages and the universe shall send me all that I need. Anon
It's been over a week since I wrote, I know. I didn't realise how exhausting this week would be. Our first week working from the consultants offices meant I was coming home from work absolutely shagged. I was leaving home at 7am and then getting home at 6.30pm, 10 hours of which was spent on my laptop furiously pumping out the necessary work that needs to be done to achieve our deadline of the 17th.
Consequently, by the time I was getting home at night, having dinner (thank god for a hubby who can cook and enjoys doing so) and chucking a load of washing through the washing machine, I had zero energy reserves left. When normally I would sit on my computer at night and write or at least read whatever book I am currently reading, this week I just sat in a sleepy daze in front of the televsision.
I can't remember ever being so totally exhausted. The good news is that we look set to make the deadline for finalisation of the Statement of Work for the project and all of the necessary backing documentation. Mind you, had we not forced ourselves on the consultant firm then it would probably have been a different story. I can't fathom how a company who oversees multi million dollar projects can be so disorganised and all over the place.
Don't get me wrong, their knowledge is awesome, but there seems to be too many bosses making the decisions and not enough people doing the 'grunt' work, and lets face it, a successful project needs both, decision - makers and people to dig in and get busy. I know we're doing a lot of the work that they should be doing, but however it comes about, we're working to a strict deadline and the work needs to be done.
After this week I have a better appreciation when the guys tell me that I will get used to working 'mobile' and I also have a better understanding of the sheer magnitude of this project. We haven't even got through the research phase yet and got final sign off, now I see why it will take 3-5 years and a massive team to achieve the end result, not to mention millions of dollars.
Some of the work is incredibly mundane and boring (what job doesn't have this aspect?) but so much of it is new and exciting. There are so many things for me to learn, I'm like a sponge soaking up the knowledge and the atmosphere. Enjoying myself immensely, it's refreshing to look forward to going to work again.
Cheers for now
It's been over a week since I wrote, I know. I didn't realise how exhausting this week would be. Our first week working from the consultants offices meant I was coming home from work absolutely shagged. I was leaving home at 7am and then getting home at 6.30pm, 10 hours of which was spent on my laptop furiously pumping out the necessary work that needs to be done to achieve our deadline of the 17th.
Consequently, by the time I was getting home at night, having dinner (thank god for a hubby who can cook and enjoys doing so) and chucking a load of washing through the washing machine, I had zero energy reserves left. When normally I would sit on my computer at night and write or at least read whatever book I am currently reading, this week I just sat in a sleepy daze in front of the televsision.
I can't remember ever being so totally exhausted. The good news is that we look set to make the deadline for finalisation of the Statement of Work for the project and all of the necessary backing documentation. Mind you, had we not forced ourselves on the consultant firm then it would probably have been a different story. I can't fathom how a company who oversees multi million dollar projects can be so disorganised and all over the place.
Don't get me wrong, their knowledge is awesome, but there seems to be too many bosses making the decisions and not enough people doing the 'grunt' work, and lets face it, a successful project needs both, decision - makers and people to dig in and get busy. I know we're doing a lot of the work that they should be doing, but however it comes about, we're working to a strict deadline and the work needs to be done.
After this week I have a better appreciation when the guys tell me that I will get used to working 'mobile' and I also have a better understanding of the sheer magnitude of this project. We haven't even got through the research phase yet and got final sign off, now I see why it will take 3-5 years and a massive team to achieve the end result, not to mention millions of dollars.
Some of the work is incredibly mundane and boring (what job doesn't have this aspect?) but so much of it is new and exciting. There are so many things for me to learn, I'm like a sponge soaking up the knowledge and the atmosphere. Enjoying myself immensely, it's refreshing to look forward to going to work again.
Cheers for now
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Living a Gungho life
The will to win, the desire to succeed, the urge to reach your full potential...these are the keys that will unlock the door to personal excellence.- Eddie Robinson
The days go so much quicker when you're busy, the project is starting to gather speed, even though we're only in the early stages. I had my Management course yesterday and learnt about the principles of Gungho Leadership. This principle made sense to me. In simple terms there are three elements
The days go so much quicker when you're busy, the project is starting to gather speed, even though we're only in the early stages. I had my Management course yesterday and learnt about the principles of Gungho Leadership. This principle made sense to me. In simple terms there are three elements
- 'The Spirit of the Squirrel' is giving people an understanding of why their job is important and knowing how their work contributes to the goal.
- 'Way of the Beaver' means they're in control of achieving. Managers ensure that their people understand the goal and have the ability to do the job and then steps back and allows them to be in control of achieving.
- 'Gift of the Goose' is about cheering each other on. It should be TRUE encouragement - that is timely, reponsive, unconditional and enthusiastic. It's about cheering the progress, not just the result.
This was my understanding of the concept anyway, I liked it.
We're moving to a new working environment for the next two weeks, our project team is moving into the consultancy firm for the next two weeks - I believe this move is in essence to 'put a rocket behind them' and ensure they're earning the money they're being paid. Adds an extra half hour morning and night to my travel time, but the work experience will be a good learning curve.
Looks like I might also be off to Brisbane in a couple of weeks for meetings and workshops, can't say my job is boring or mundane any more. Definitely makes my days more interesting. I've also started writing again, the ideas seem to be flowing with the reduction of stress from my former job.
Cheers, Fi
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