Today was a day that inspired me to exercise my seldom-flexed, heinous bitch undertone -- the tone I typically stifle at least between the hours of 9AM and 5PM. Today was a day I could have easily told any number of people to take a long walk off a short pier. And I don't say this next part lightly. Today, just today, I did not love my job. I hated it.
It seems to come in ebbs and flows - and no, I don't think I'm alone in this. I just ... today I did not want to deal with all the issues. It actually started at the end of yesterday - got an email asking me to do someone else's dirty work of calling a client and delivering bad news. Not cool. And the answer is no. I accidentally disregarded that email.
I'm in a cross-trained position - to put it more accurately, I am expected to be able to do anything, anytime. I am the face of our business and I am to ensure everyone has a positive experience within our building. Yet I am constantly battling with others to see that level of service is attained. And let me just be clear, I am no receptionist. I am actually weighted most heavily in the service ratings and still am required to meet reasonably difficult production goals. And I excel. Wonderously so. I'm tops at those things. And it seems like the better I am, the more is asked of me ... by everyone.
Can you do this? Will you talk to so-and-so for me? Can you listen to me gripe? Do my dirty work. Is this something you can teach me? Fix my computer. Put in this service request. Order supplies. Set up our new technology. Plan our birthday parties. It's bullshit. I am awesome, but that doesn't mean I have to do your job too. Yet it seems that is growing increasingly expected of me.
Yesterday I decided I'm putting the birthday thing to a vote. If no one wants to take over as birthday captain, we're dispersing the money in the kitty and disbanding our little club. I am finally over chasing people down for $3 each pay period so that I can NOT use my own money to celebrate birthdays of people I wouldn't give two shits about if it weren't for the fact we worked together. If no one volunteers, it's over.
Then today I decided I'm going to exercise the particular vocal chords used to say the one-word phrase 'no' more. No, I will not call your client and give them bad news. No, I will not be able to switch shifts with you. No, I can't order your replacement printer. No, I'm not going to use my valuable work time to do something you're responsible for. Just, no.
It's a day like today that makes an independently wealthy woman, who works because she truly loves making an impact on the world, drop her keys on the desk of her supervisor and walk out unannounced.
If I were that woman, today I would have.
But then I consider that I may never see Myles again...
While on my lunch break the other day, I was informed I had a visitor. I came out to see a 3-year-old boy at the end of the hall, blushing and holding the most gorgeous, purple roses. I almost cried. I hugged him, kissed him on the cheek, then watched him turn absolutely beet red and look up at his mom and grin. He is utterly precious - he even signed the card for me. I am smitten.
What I love about my job are the relationships I form with people. It's being able to watch the children grow up. Being able to hear about the grand kids and the marriages. I've been seeing Myles in the branch for a couple years now. If you only knew how shy he really is - even after two years, he still doesn't talk until he is safely to the exit, then he busts out with a see ya later! He is awe-inspiring. And he just may have been the single reason I didn't walk out today.
It seems to come in ebbs and flows - and no, I don't think I'm alone in this. I just ... today I did not want to deal with all the issues. It actually started at the end of yesterday - got an email asking me to do someone else's dirty work of calling a client and delivering bad news. Not cool. And the answer is no. I accidentally disregarded that email.
I'm in a cross-trained position - to put it more accurately, I am expected to be able to do anything, anytime. I am the face of our business and I am to ensure everyone has a positive experience within our building. Yet I am constantly battling with others to see that level of service is attained. And let me just be clear, I am no receptionist. I am actually weighted most heavily in the service ratings and still am required to meet reasonably difficult production goals. And I excel. Wonderously so. I'm tops at those things. And it seems like the better I am, the more is asked of me ... by everyone.
Can you do this? Will you talk to so-and-so for me? Can you listen to me gripe? Do my dirty work. Is this something you can teach me? Fix my computer. Put in this service request. Order supplies. Set up our new technology. Plan our birthday parties. It's bullshit. I am awesome, but that doesn't mean I have to do your job too. Yet it seems that is growing increasingly expected of me.
Yesterday I decided I'm putting the birthday thing to a vote. If no one wants to take over as birthday captain, we're dispersing the money in the kitty and disbanding our little club. I am finally over chasing people down for $3 each pay period so that I can NOT use my own money to celebrate birthdays of people I wouldn't give two shits about if it weren't for the fact we worked together. If no one volunteers, it's over.
Then today I decided I'm going to exercise the particular vocal chords used to say the one-word phrase 'no' more. No, I will not call your client and give them bad news. No, I will not be able to switch shifts with you. No, I can't order your replacement printer. No, I'm not going to use my valuable work time to do something you're responsible for. Just, no.
It's a day like today that makes an independently wealthy woman, who works because she truly loves making an impact on the world, drop her keys on the desk of her supervisor and walk out unannounced.
If I were that woman, today I would have.
But then I consider that I may never see Myles again...
While on my lunch break the other day, I was informed I had a visitor. I came out to see a 3-year-old boy at the end of the hall, blushing and holding the most gorgeous, purple roses. I almost cried. I hugged him, kissed him on the cheek, then watched him turn absolutely beet red and look up at his mom and grin. He is utterly precious - he even signed the card for me. I am smitten.
What I love about my job are the relationships I form with people. It's being able to watch the children grow up. Being able to hear about the grand kids and the marriages. I've been seeing Myles in the branch for a couple years now. If you only knew how shy he really is - even after two years, he still doesn't talk until he is safely to the exit, then he busts out with a see ya later! He is awe-inspiring. And he just may have been the single reason I didn't walk out today.
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