TODAY's QUOTEs In the long run you will receive more from life doing the job you enjoy than you will ever earn in money from a job you loathe. ~ Terry L. Mayfield Yesterday's Entries 2001: Cherish the Children TODAY's READ Venus Envy Last Night's Entertainment The touring Broadway show of TODAY's WEATHER Gonna be sunny!
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INDIANS AND CHIEFS 29 January 2004 I’ve decided I really like being an Indian. I’m too old to be a Chief again. It was 3:15. I was in the middle of working on a project when someone said "What time does Bev leave?" I had worked 15 minutes past my quitting time and I was pretty much told to go home. My word, what a refreshing difference from Dr. G! (What’s more, my checks are deposited directly into my checking account...which means that I get paid on the right day, not two weeks later! Be still my heart!) When I took this job, I realized that I would be going back where I was some 10 years ago. In my job with Dr. G, I was the boss -- at least when we got another employee. But I was pretty autonomous, made decisions on my own, had tons of responsibility, handled everything. In my pre-Dr. G job, I was office manager in an office with a staff of 22 people. Talk about going from the frying pan into the fire. I had zero managerial experience and took over on the week before we were moving from one private office into a huge HMO complex. I still remember moving day and realizing that someone had to make the decision and I guess it might as well be me, so I pretty much took charge of where everything was to go, who was to sit where, the way things were going to work, etc., etc., etc. Over the years I worked in that position, I learned about disciplining people, about working with beaurocratic red tape, and all the things that went along with heading up a big office like that. It was kind of an interesting experience, being the chief. I was surprised that I was able to do it. I was terrified, but when push came to shove, I found that I really was able to handle the job and think I did a fair-to-middling job. They are now on their 7th replacement for me, and this one isn’t looking too stable either. I chuckle every time I hear that they are looking for yet another office manager. Dr. G is on his third office manager, and this one might actually whip him into shape, but it took a bit before he found someone who was willing to run his office after I left as well. Taking the job at Suicide Prevention involved a drop in pay and meant I would no longer be a Chief, but would definitely be the low man on the totem pole. It’s exactly what I’m looking for. I work predictable hours. I have no responsibility. I do what I’m told. When quitting time comes, I leave, not feeling guilty because I left something undone. I love that the office is run efficiently, that it is a low-stress environment, that good work gets done there, and that I contribute something, but that the buck does not stop on my desk. In fact, I don’t even have a desk of my own, which is maybe even better. Maybe it’s an age thing. Maybe I’m too old to have any thoughts of upward career moves. As I look hard at my upcoming 61st birthday, I just want someplace to go to earn a few extra bucks, feel productive, and be able to leave it all behind at the end of the day. I like being one of the Indians, and no longer the Chief. |
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PHOTO OF THE DAY
Isn't this gorgeous? Another picture from Penny, in Australia, |
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For more photos, please visit My Fotolog and My FoodLog |
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Weight Lost to date: 43.8 lbs
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Created 1/24/04
