How good an empty inbox feels

Tags

email, organization, pencils, TV shows, work

I never would have believed that a clean inbox at work would give me a feeling of control. I was overwhelmed with the volume of mail I was getting there for awhile and just thought I would never be able to keep it all straight. I had been holding mail in my inbox because I couldn’t decide what to do with it. How to organize myself in this new job. Well, let me tell you, that isn’t a good way to manage it!

So, I ate the elephant a bite at a time. I took the mail from December and January and just stuffed it into another folder. I figure either it is dealt with or more information or questions was in the newer mail. Then I began with my newest mail and read from the bottom to the top of it – and then I sorted by subject and moved the whole lot to the archive folder. Anything that required action had the latest item put in the follow up folder and space put on the calendar to deal with it.

In this way, I was able to empty my inbox by Thursday – after about a week and a half of effort. Now my incoming mail is sorted by subject. I have little over a page to review at a time and it is a piece of cake to deal with and go forward. I will be digging out of the follow up folder – but that is a better place to have it – besides, I put time on the calendar to deal with it.

I have a short vacation coming up this week – we’ll see what I think of this system come Monday morning! I’m excited. I feel like I’ve done something and like I’m up to date on what is happening in the world around me.

I’ve skipped a few days but I didn’t forget to be grateful. I’m so grateful for a hubby who will bring me things when I’m covered in yarn and trying to get the mess cleaned up.

I’m grateful for interesting shows like “House of Cards” that we could just snuggle up and watch together all weekend.

And I’m grateful for the eraser on my pencil. It allows me to not be perfect – and those who know me understand the challenge of that.

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I must be crazy

Tags

family, hysteria, work

Today I was pushed over the edge and started laughing hysterically. I had the whole group laughing. They didn’t know why, just that laughter is contagious. Me, on the other hand, had just had revealed to me through email two more major projects to work. That makes 5 or 6 in this category, 2 in another, and 5 in a third. It is just too much. So I laughed.

Oddly enough, I am eager to go to work again on Monday and get on with it. I don’t know if it is because it is new or because there is a challenge here. I need to cut back the overtime and go for the ride!

I love my dear oldest daughter who rescued me from leftovers tonight.

My dear youngest daughter was thoughtful in getting a parking pass so Grandpa doesn’t have to climb the hills when he visits her.

My little cat keeps crying out to be cuddle, what a sweetie. I think I’ll go snuggle in with her.

Tired but pushing through

Tags

friends, trust, work

I had a wonderful time with my friend tonight at dinner. Although we complained a lot about work and other things we enjoyed just being together. It is so nice to have a friend who is always on your side and helps you see the forest for the trees. Even though I am very tired, this was a great way to end the day.

I am grateful for people who trust me to do the right thing and are willing to follow me as I try to do that.

I’m grateful for the opportunity to sit and laugh at lunch with people I work with.

And I’m grateful for the trust from a colleague this morning who poured out some of the challenges he’s facing in our new organization. I want to be sure to follow up with him in a month or so. What he’s going through now can be very draining and I hope to help him keep his spirits up through the tough time and come out the other side smiling.

Satisfaction…

Tags

cats, satisfaction, work

So sorry to have missed blogging yesterday. I fell asleep on the couch very early, roused only in time to go to bed and then slept all night. The upside – I feel rested again!

I started a new job in December. There was so much going on at the end of the year and my week and a half vacation, that it doesn’t really feel like I started the job until this year; more accurately, this week! I’m lucky that the person who I step in behind is just over the cubicle wall – so there’s help if and when I need it.

This week I finally feel like I’m starting to absorb the “new stuff.” Lots of puzzle pieces are coming into place. I think the hard work last week leading a team chartering exercise with the people I will work most closely with really helped me focus on what I’m supposed to do. So today, I started cranking out the to do items and got a lot of things done. I connected with my dotted line boss and feel I know what she’s expecting. While maybe this is only a borderline “good thing in the last 24 hours” what I realize is I feel at peace. Lots to do, lots to learn, and energized, not terrified, to do it! May you have the same experience in your job.

I’m grateful for the little furry beast who is sitting on my right hand as I type this. She’s a 6 pound, 13 year old, lilac point Siamese who is just begging to be cuddled and give her love in return. Of course, she’s the queen here.

I’m grateful for drugs that replace what my body won’t make on its own. I am really starting to feel like there is energy after work! I am eager to see how the dosage is working. How wonderful to be alive in a time where we can do these amazing things for our health.

And today, I’m especially grateful for work. I know not everyone has a job and many don’t have jobs that feed their soul. I’m so very lucky to feel this and to get so much from the people I work with and work I do. It is very satisfying. And you know, I really like the money too.