(but I wrote this yesterday and didn't get the chance to post it till now.)
Am I the only one who has a hard time with getting work done on a Monday? I can't be, right? Everyone hates the start of the work week, I know. But this seems to go beyond a dislike for work. I feel mentally and emotionally incapable of performing, of settling down, getting organized ... incapable of remembering what my priorities are. I won't exaggerate and say that on a Monday I forget everything, but sometimes it feels close to that.
There is a certain part of my job that I don't like doing. This was one of those new duties that was added to my already full plate about six months ago, with little direction from the powers-that-be who had decided we NEEDED this thing done.
Ever get something like this at work?: "We want to create this new department for our publication. We're not exactly sure what the content should be, but we want you to figure that out, because ... you're so good at what you do. (see what I did there? -- I threw in a little compliment. In my management training they said compliments will motivate employees). Yes, you figure it out then come back and present your ideas. We'll tell you they look all right and give you the go ahead to write the stories. Somewhere close to deadline, we'll reject half of the stories, having suddenly decided they don't work -- and we'll express surprise when you argue for keeping them in. So we'll toss in another compliment about how good you are at what you do and how happy we are that you are working for us. That will make it all better while you go scramble for new stories."
Thing is, I AM good at what I do, but when you have a moron for a boss who can't make a decision to save her life, it gets really really hard to do your job. Do you know on Friday, my birthday, she said "happy birthday" to me about eight times? At one point she said "congratulations." I think I just blinked at that one.
Yesterday she asked me how I celebrated my birthday. I just looked at her and said, "You know, it really wasn't that big of a deal."
And it is now 6:38 and I have to go BACK to work for another day of joy. Of course I'd rather be getting a spanking. See what I did there? -- I threw in the word "spanking." That will make it all better.
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6 comments:
We want you do do something. We aren't sure what it is yet. We'll let you know when you get it right, but we may not konw that when we see it either. Most likely we'll just tell you when you are getting it wrong. Was it something like that?
Gotta love those "since you are so good at this...." moments.
Maybe you should invent another new part to your job. Helping your boss learn how to make decisions. Now I can see how you would have some fun with that...
Oh, yes, THAT would be LOTS of fun. Making a certain person beg for mercy.
Whew. I thought I recognized myself in that description of the boss till you got to the part about the birthday wishes. I'd never do that! :-)
Indy, I hope you're not that crazy... from what I've seen of you, I'm pretty sure you're not. If that's not true, then we'll have to spank that attitude right out of you!
Hmmmmm...one of my personal favorites is being assigned a task that has absolutely nothing to do with your defined job or the skill set that got you the job in the first place.
"We'd like you to remove someone's appendix. Yes, we know we hired you to handle our billing. But this is a stretch goal.We know you're not a surgeon. But did we mention that this is stretch goal?
"You can't get credit for handling the billing because we know you can do that - that's expected. Unless you can step up and suddenly perform surgery, we'll never be able to give you an "exceeds expectations" or give you any more money, or praise.
"You can do it. You just need to brainstorm, think creatively and work smart.
We'd never give you this goal if we didn't have faith in your ability and talent...any questions...no...great...schedule that surgery for tomorrow."
Oh, yeah. Well, I get that, too. Today, because I took initiative and solved a problem that occurred (combination of poor planning and someone screwing up), I've now earned another new responsibility. Great. Thanks!
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