A weight lifted off my shoulders...

You can't always change a situation you are in straight away, but you can change how you act during the situation, and know that it can change in the future.

My work situation has not been ideal for the past few months. I'm not saying it's ever perfect - we all have bad managers, dysfunctional teams, and unappreciative organizations.

But sometimes you don't care because you are engaged and loving the work and what you are doing.

Other times you see it, and the micromanagement of everything you do every day wears you down.

As a person that thrives on energy, I have to really focus on areas of work that energize me and not take it away. But I was not in a situation that gave me much choice in the short term.

I was aware of it - and practiced many things to manage it. See prior entries of breathing or the occasionally rant.

But the decision to change it was finally made today - and I have to say it felt like an emotional release. A weight off my shoulders is such a cliche - but oh so true in this situation. I left work and felt positive and hopeful and excited.

I sat and waited for my flight at the airport for 2 hours, and have to say I was the most productive I had been in weeks. My mind felt able to focus, to think, to breathe.

It was if I was gasping for air that I had not breathed again - and I was feeling elated. I still am 3 days later, and I'm looking forward to keep feeling like this for as long as possible.

What a great feeling!

The Double Life...of 2 Jobs

It's been 3 weeks (I think...?!) of having 2 jobs and running the gauntlet between the two. A real test of running your priorities and "what NOT to do". Very hard for an overachiever that tries to go above and beyond in everything they do.

In these times of stress, I've really been trying to focus on what emotional energy I have and when. What makes me happy and energized....and what makes me pull my hair out and frustrated!?

Happy Camper
- informal social events with colleagues (parties, hallway talks, lunches...)
- having coaching and development conversations with my staff
- having people reach out to me for advice
- a great executive meeting where people are engaged and approve my recommendations
- learning new stuff (products, gadgets...)
- time with my hubby without the rest of the world involved
- right now, listening to music, thinking about possibilities, and only 1 meeting on the calendar today!

Grumpy Bear
- back to back meetings 3 days in a row...you just can't breathe let alone think!
- the executive focus on EVERY word you choose to put on a piece of paper
- powerpoint paralysis
- cube life...there is really no privacy here...I practically live in a conference room for the calls I make
- new boss...good person, but having to work that new relationship, adjust style, and expectations is an energy drainer
- management layers...having to work through 3 layers to do little things (understand the big things)

So there it it - the life of 2 jobs!

I did have a great reflection time over the weekend with hubby as we took a few days off. It was a chance to talk about what was important to us now and in the future and dreams / ideas to make it happen. There are some things that I am excited about ....nice to dream and I'll work to make some of those dreams a reality (a 3rd job!? Must be crazy!). I'll announce more over time...but I did write the goals down in a paper journal as a commitment!