Happy Boss's Day!

I should have known something was up when, last year, my boss didn't seem to care much about the Boss's Day card I gave her,and my staff forgot to give one to me. This day used to be fun! Funny card, maybe a lunch or even office supply shenanigans. I guess that I am my own boss now. Shall I tell myself how great I am? How caring, fun, understanding and just plain nice? Your Welcome.

Unemployed and "At Your Service!"

Before unemployment, I was a volunteer for two different organizations. I noticed some volunteers treated it like a job. I did not. Now I can see where volunteering can call you to put in your time as if it was a paid career gig. (Local television news stories will crop up around the holidays showing a retired lady putting in 60 hour weeks for charity - that's a job.) Part of me wants to dive-in, offer to do beyond what was expected - it is in my nature to do so. I wonder if I want to "go there", or continue to keep it light. After all, I need to remain available and focused. One never knows what parts of life can open up a door to another. Keeping options open is important now.  Getting side-tracked seems like the thing to avoid. Yet, I crave to hear a calling for my next big thing.

Fear

Fear is swirling in the air with the yellow leaves around the yard. Fear chills the back of my neck whenever I am reminded that time is ticking and the bank account is emptying. Everything happens for a reason - usually a good, grand-designed reason. Fear must be a byproduct of doubt. Unless it is a flight-or-fight, charging bull fear, it's only manufactured by my logic brain. My practical brain. The part of my brain that likes to reassure my family that we will not be lacking for long. I'm selling bogus hope to hang on to real hope. Blindly reaching for the next rope. It's there somewhere, right?

Got Strength?

I am a fan of strengths. I hope that I always tried to tap into my staff's strenghs. I hope that I tried to identify and work with others'. Mine are:

Strategic

Learner

Input

Connectedness

Significance

I thought that these, for the most part, sounded familiar and that they complimented me. I even wrote a paper about how I had the perfect job to accent them. Turns out that I worked for people who didn't understand how to strategically plan or follow through, My input fell on deaf ears, I did not feel connected to anyone in the end (except for people who used to work for me), and, ironically, they kept telling me that I ran a significant project, but clearly I was not taken seriously. I was hurt, sad, and mad. 
And here I sit.
Did my strengths work against me? Really, If I didn't have to have my head in the plan and feel important about it, would I still have a job?
 << sigh >>
So it's up to me to make these strenghts work for me now.
<< huh >>
Have you inventoried your strengths? I've seen people put them on their resumes (I don't really recommend that),  an indication that everyone seems to be talking in Tom Rath's language. Any Maximizers out there? Wooers?  I could stand to hear from a Empathyer about now.



Woman Found Passed Out in Pile of Boxes

Did I mention that I came home that snowy, blurry day with eleven boxes to unpack? After awhile, I rummaged  through and took out what I thought I'd need - a photo of my kid, a packet of coffee filters, random office supplies that made their way into my possession -  and compressed the rest of the "work related stuff I might need when my career picks up again" into four boxes in the garage.
I wonder... what if the next career job doesn't come? What if I develop a plan b that includes transition time with a part-time job and time to write? Yeah, like a writer (of more than a blog) would?
What will the day look like when I do open those four boxes? A day of excitement as I decorate my new office at my new job? What if it's a day of unbearable defeat as I look at useless tokens of what I once was?
How long can I ignore those boxes before they chase me in my dreams?

Beginning

Ahh, a day to recognize labor.  Important history goes into today, but, really,  we know exactly what to day is all about, eh? Some work, most don't. Some even get paid for having Labor Day off. Some  plan picnics or other late summertime hurrahs. Some shop. Some nap. Some pack up their white shoes. Some buy school supplies.
I don't think that Hallmark has picked up on any labor-day themed greeting cards. But it is a gift-giving holiday, is it not? We give ourselves a break. A rest from the usual. Some find that easy to do, some find it challenging.
Tomorrow is the beginning of fall in a way, the beginning of new routines. I have one: I will light a candle and pray before I apply for jobs. Happy new routine to you!