~ 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
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Boss from hell!
The greatest inspiration is often born of desperation. Comer Cotrell
It finally happened, the boss from hell resigned today (former boss anyway) It's only now that a fellow colleague and I are no longer there, that they realise that it was in fact us that did all of the work and not the 'boss' who was a professional at subterfuge and manipulation.
Strangely enough, I owe her the hugest debt. Were it not for her and her misguided ways then I would not have been made redundant and would not be in my new job which I am loving. Is it petty of me to now feel some measure of satisfaction that they're struggling without us there. Probably not, and lets face it, she caused me 10 months of absolutely torture, to the extent that I was glad to finally leave.
Now that I have got that out of my system, my new job has at last picked up speed and I am firmly finding my feet. I am learning new things on a daily basis, I have plenty of things to now keep me busy and once again I feel like I am making a worthwhile contribution and am earning the money they pay me. I'm back to enjoying what I do and like going to work.
Oldest MM seems to have also got his act together and has finally got himself a housemate to share the financial burden, another weight off my mind. Middle MM is still causing a small amount of unrest - how do you deal with a 15 year old who simply does not want to be at school. His social life is the be all and end all, to the detriment of everything important, including school and his family.
Youngest MM is a dream as always; he cooks, cleans, does exceptionally well at school, does his homework and has a healthy social life without it being all-consuming. He's 13 and I'm waiting for the terrible 14's to hit (this is the age that both older MM's suddenly turned into monsters)
So at this very moment I'm experiencing a small measure of bliss, work is good, children are as good as can be expected and hubby, well he's probably in the same category as the kids. He has his moments, but with me finishing work later, I think he is coming to the realisation of just how much I actually do around the house and is pulling his weight a bit more.
They've got the Ben Cousins drug special on TV, probably should make my MM's sit down and watch just what drugs can do to a person and how it can mess up lives. Kids these days seem to think they're invincible, no different to when I was a teenager, it just seems that things these days are more full on. Things that are bigger and scarier then when I was a kid.
Feeling my age at the moment and realising a better appreciation of what I put my own parents through.
Cheers for now, Fi
It finally happened, the boss from hell resigned today (former boss anyway) It's only now that a fellow colleague and I are no longer there, that they realise that it was in fact us that did all of the work and not the 'boss' who was a professional at subterfuge and manipulation.
Strangely enough, I owe her the hugest debt. Were it not for her and her misguided ways then I would not have been made redundant and would not be in my new job which I am loving. Is it petty of me to now feel some measure of satisfaction that they're struggling without us there. Probably not, and lets face it, she caused me 10 months of absolutely torture, to the extent that I was glad to finally leave.
Now that I have got that out of my system, my new job has at last picked up speed and I am firmly finding my feet. I am learning new things on a daily basis, I have plenty of things to now keep me busy and once again I feel like I am making a worthwhile contribution and am earning the money they pay me. I'm back to enjoying what I do and like going to work.
Oldest MM seems to have also got his act together and has finally got himself a housemate to share the financial burden, another weight off my mind. Middle MM is still causing a small amount of unrest - how do you deal with a 15 year old who simply does not want to be at school. His social life is the be all and end all, to the detriment of everything important, including school and his family.
Youngest MM is a dream as always; he cooks, cleans, does exceptionally well at school, does his homework and has a healthy social life without it being all-consuming. He's 13 and I'm waiting for the terrible 14's to hit (this is the age that both older MM's suddenly turned into monsters)
So at this very moment I'm experiencing a small measure of bliss, work is good, children are as good as can be expected and hubby, well he's probably in the same category as the kids. He has his moments, but with me finishing work later, I think he is coming to the realisation of just how much I actually do around the house and is pulling his weight a bit more.
They've got the Ben Cousins drug special on TV, probably should make my MM's sit down and watch just what drugs can do to a person and how it can mess up lives. Kids these days seem to think they're invincible, no different to when I was a teenager, it just seems that things these days are more full on. Things that are bigger and scarier then when I was a kid.
Feeling my age at the moment and realising a better appreciation of what I put my own parents through.
Cheers for now, Fi
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Spring bliss
Commitment leads to action. Action brings your dream closer. Marcia Wieder
I love Spring, yes and while it's not literally Spring in Adelaide yet (it's still 9 days off) it still feels like it's on its way. Today the sun is shining and there is a hint of Spring in the air. After days and weeks of wintery weather with strong winds and rain, I look forward to the coming sunny days and spring breezes.
Sounds kind of corny I know, but there is something about Spring that energises me, and makes me feel positive and happy. Admittedly a new stress free job and tangible challenges ahead are probably contributing factors to my positive thoughts and a feeling of lightness.
I've been trawling the internet again and reading lots of outstanding blogs and sadly some very ordinary and badly written blogs. I appreciate the concept of freedom of speech and a persons' right to write about whatever they want but some people just don't 'get it' and those are the blogs that are a blatant marketing venture and badly done at that. The blogs I return to on a regular basis are the ones that are entertaining to read or where I can identify with the writer's thoughts and comments.
Life is meant to be a learning experience and I am constantly searching for knowledge and ways to enjoy a better work/life balance - I have always repeated the idiom that we work to live, we certainly don't live to work. Reality is that many of us get stuck in a rut and are unsure or fearful of how to dig our way out of this rut. I've seen evidence of this at my old job, of those people who have been made redundant and have been forcibly kicked out of their rut, I now see happier more fulfiiled individuals who say that redundancy was the best thing that ever happened to them.
It is tragic that a life changing event such as redundancy, which is traumatic not only for the individual but also for their family, is what causes us to stretch our wings and try new and different things. I've been exploring the concepts of the 'Laws of Attraction' and positive thinking (something that has always interested me) and I will talk about it more in coming blogs.
My advice to everyone, don't wait for a life changing event to get out of your rut, try something new or different and begin living your life again right now.
Cheers
I love Spring, yes and while it's not literally Spring in Adelaide yet (it's still 9 days off) it still feels like it's on its way. Today the sun is shining and there is a hint of Spring in the air. After days and weeks of wintery weather with strong winds and rain, I look forward to the coming sunny days and spring breezes.
Sounds kind of corny I know, but there is something about Spring that energises me, and makes me feel positive and happy. Admittedly a new stress free job and tangible challenges ahead are probably contributing factors to my positive thoughts and a feeling of lightness.
I've been trawling the internet again and reading lots of outstanding blogs and sadly some very ordinary and badly written blogs. I appreciate the concept of freedom of speech and a persons' right to write about whatever they want but some people just don't 'get it' and those are the blogs that are a blatant marketing venture and badly done at that. The blogs I return to on a regular basis are the ones that are entertaining to read or where I can identify with the writer's thoughts and comments.
Life is meant to be a learning experience and I am constantly searching for knowledge and ways to enjoy a better work/life balance - I have always repeated the idiom that we work to live, we certainly don't live to work. Reality is that many of us get stuck in a rut and are unsure or fearful of how to dig our way out of this rut. I've seen evidence of this at my old job, of those people who have been made redundant and have been forcibly kicked out of their rut, I now see happier more fulfiiled individuals who say that redundancy was the best thing that ever happened to them.
It is tragic that a life changing event such as redundancy, which is traumatic not only for the individual but also for their family, is what causes us to stretch our wings and try new and different things. I've been exploring the concepts of the 'Laws of Attraction' and positive thinking (something that has always interested me) and I will talk about it more in coming blogs.
My advice to everyone, don't wait for a life changing event to get out of your rut, try something new or different and begin living your life again right now.
Cheers
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Instant Wealth
Your destiny is forged in the fires of your determination - Christopher Howard
I have just started reading Chris Howard's 'Instant Wealth - Wake up Rich'. It's turning out to be a very easy to read book, with a wealth of information. Very much based on similar books by Napolean Hill and Steve Covey. I love reading these sorts of books. Lets be honest I love reading anything that is well written, be it fiction or non-fiction.
What is a Doppelganger, they are talking about it on 'How I met your Mother', not my most favourite show. Here you go, straight from Wikipedia, a doppelganger is - In fiction folklore, and popular culture, a doppelgänger is a tangible double of a living person that typically represents evil. In the vernacular, the word doppelgänger has come to refer (as in German) to any double or look-alike of a person. You learn something new every day.
I attended my first project meeting today, one of six divisional groups that have been formed for the project. I can see myself sitting in a lot of these meetings over the months to come. I'm sure they will definitely improve as I start to understand more of what the project involves. At the moment so much of what they're talking about is double dutch to me, completely like they're talking a different language. I'm learning IT-speak at a rapid rate though.
Our company currently has in excess of 130 business sites - much larger than I thought. I am currently in the process of putting together a 'mud map' so to speak of where they all are situated across Australia and New Zealand. The logistics of putting together training plans for this many sites is rather daunting.
Cheers for now
I have just started reading Chris Howard's 'Instant Wealth - Wake up Rich'. It's turning out to be a very easy to read book, with a wealth of information. Very much based on similar books by Napolean Hill and Steve Covey. I love reading these sorts of books. Lets be honest I love reading anything that is well written, be it fiction or non-fiction.
What is a Doppelganger, they are talking about it on 'How I met your Mother', not my most favourite show. Here you go, straight from Wikipedia, a doppelganger is - In fiction folklore, and popular culture, a doppelgänger is a tangible double of a living person that typically represents evil. In the vernacular, the word doppelgänger has come to refer (as in German) to any double or look-alike of a person. You learn something new every day.
I attended my first project meeting today, one of six divisional groups that have been formed for the project. I can see myself sitting in a lot of these meetings over the months to come. I'm sure they will definitely improve as I start to understand more of what the project involves. At the moment so much of what they're talking about is double dutch to me, completely like they're talking a different language. I'm learning IT-speak at a rapid rate though.
Our company currently has in excess of 130 business sites - much larger than I thought. I am currently in the process of putting together a 'mud map' so to speak of where they all are situated across Australia and New Zealand. The logistics of putting together training plans for this many sites is rather daunting.
Cheers for now
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Challenges
Goals are the fuel in the furnace of achievement - Brian Tracy
I'm running late tonight, should be going to bed and getting as much beauty sleep as I possibly can. I needed to write first though, it's essential to keeping my brain cells alive at the moment.
My new job has just as many challenges as my old one - only the challenges are polar opposites. The old job was 100 miles an hour, juggling everyone and everything and never having enough hours in the day to do everything that needed to be done. The new job, I'm creating things to do, just to keep my self busy, it seems almost criminal that I am getting paid to do what I am doing at the moment.
Realistically my boss has been interstate for the first two days that I have been in the office. I had completed everything on the list of things he wanted done before lunchtime today. This afternoon I sat there and completed my project proposal for my Business Management course. Yes its still work related and perfectly acceptable to be doing it at work, but I was fighting feelings of guilt whilst doing it.
I've been told that project work starts of slow in the early stages but the hours and workload pick up speed quickly, so I guess I should be relishing the stress free atmosphere at the moment. Its hard and is doing my head in with not constantly being on the go. I guess I've forgotten how to relax and kick back and enjoy life.
Loving the name for my former boss, the girls have started calling her Lara Bingle, as in 'where the bloody hell are you' ad that was on TV years ago advertising Australia in the UK. She hasn't been at work for over 2 weeks now, sick again. I believe she has had almost 100 sick days in less than the year since she started. I know people get genuinely sick, but her behaviour is totally ridiculous, unprofessional and certainly not an acceptable level of commitment from a senior level HR Manager.
Makes me appreciate the blissful life that I am now leading and I am greatful to be out of the place. Miss the people though, that's the hardest part
Cheers for now,
I'm running late tonight, should be going to bed and getting as much beauty sleep as I possibly can. I needed to write first though, it's essential to keeping my brain cells alive at the moment.
My new job has just as many challenges as my old one - only the challenges are polar opposites. The old job was 100 miles an hour, juggling everyone and everything and never having enough hours in the day to do everything that needed to be done. The new job, I'm creating things to do, just to keep my self busy, it seems almost criminal that I am getting paid to do what I am doing at the moment.
Realistically my boss has been interstate for the first two days that I have been in the office. I had completed everything on the list of things he wanted done before lunchtime today. This afternoon I sat there and completed my project proposal for my Business Management course. Yes its still work related and perfectly acceptable to be doing it at work, but I was fighting feelings of guilt whilst doing it.
I've been told that project work starts of slow in the early stages but the hours and workload pick up speed quickly, so I guess I should be relishing the stress free atmosphere at the moment. Its hard and is doing my head in with not constantly being on the go. I guess I've forgotten how to relax and kick back and enjoy life.
Loving the name for my former boss, the girls have started calling her Lara Bingle, as in 'where the bloody hell are you' ad that was on TV years ago advertising Australia in the UK. She hasn't been at work for over 2 weeks now, sick again. I believe she has had almost 100 sick days in less than the year since she started. I know people get genuinely sick, but her behaviour is totally ridiculous, unprofessional and certainly not an acceptable level of commitment from a senior level HR Manager.
Makes me appreciate the blissful life that I am now leading and I am greatful to be out of the place. Miss the people though, that's the hardest part
Cheers for now,
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Rest Time
Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.Henry David Thoreau
This has been my most blissful week in probably 12 months. Three days of training at work and then two days of annual leave (Managers of the project I am going to be working on were at a conference this week)
Went up to Mannum (hour and a half drive away and right on the banks of the Murray River) Hubby, the boys and I, for three days with two other couples and their kids. A friend was celebrating her 30th birthday - boy does that make me feel really old and also very glad that my children are now old enough that they're basically self sufficient. You really forget what it is like to have babies and toddlers around. It was fun though because both of my boys are absolutely awesome with little kids, for all of their tough talk and macho ways, babies and little kids bring out the real them.
I did absolutely nothing, rested, relaxed and read my book. It's hard work not doing anything. I'm so used to going a hundred miles an hour at work and then weekends are a blur of activity and trying to fit everything in.
I thought about taking my computer and getting in some quality writing time, but decided that I was simply going to kick back and relax. It was difficult because I was in such a mellow mood, I was really in the mood to write.
The weather was a bit miserable. but what can you expect in the middle of winter. It was cold but only rained a bit yesterday morning - the weather was very conducive to sitting around a fire bucket and chatting with friends. Then snuggling up in a nice warm and cosy cabin at night. Ahh, it's a hard life but someone has to do it.
First actual day of my new job tomorrow, I'll be in the office - no more training, so I am a little apprehensive but looking forward to the challenges that are coming.
Wish me luck
This has been my most blissful week in probably 12 months. Three days of training at work and then two days of annual leave (Managers of the project I am going to be working on were at a conference this week)
Went up to Mannum (hour and a half drive away and right on the banks of the Murray River) Hubby, the boys and I, for three days with two other couples and their kids. A friend was celebrating her 30th birthday - boy does that make me feel really old and also very glad that my children are now old enough that they're basically self sufficient. You really forget what it is like to have babies and toddlers around. It was fun though because both of my boys are absolutely awesome with little kids, for all of their tough talk and macho ways, babies and little kids bring out the real them.
I did absolutely nothing, rested, relaxed and read my book. It's hard work not doing anything. I'm so used to going a hundred miles an hour at work and then weekends are a blur of activity and trying to fit everything in.
I thought about taking my computer and getting in some quality writing time, but decided that I was simply going to kick back and relax. It was difficult because I was in such a mellow mood, I was really in the mood to write.
The weather was a bit miserable. but what can you expect in the middle of winter. It was cold but only rained a bit yesterday morning - the weather was very conducive to sitting around a fire bucket and chatting with friends. Then snuggling up in a nice warm and cosy cabin at night. Ahh, it's a hard life but someone has to do it.
First actual day of my new job tomorrow, I'll be in the office - no more training, so I am a little apprehensive but looking forward to the challenges that are coming.
Wish me luck
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