The Joy of Work

Yes, you read that title correctly.  For most of us, work is a prerequisite to living under a non-leaking roof, having a fridge with food in it and a soft mattress to sleep on.  Therefore, life is too short to be misearable.  Do what you love. 

The interesting part of that last comment is that, almost all companies probably have a job you would love to do.  Perhaps you just have not discovered it yet.  I long have believed if you work to your strengths, you will be happier. 

My greatest strength is researching.  I never get sick of learning new things.  Managing technology projects means I can have a fabulous time learning something new with every project.  No two projects are the same.  I also like to make order out of chaos.  Wow, does that ever sound like a project manager!  I have had other jobs, from executive management level to cooking in a truck stop, but I am never as happy as when I am merrily researching away, making order out of chaos and delivering a finished product to happy customers. 

That brings me to another point: What quality would make you love your job?  I just mentioned "happy customers".  People are important to me too (customers or coworkers).  As you can see in the chart below, 30% of people think the "people" are most important to loving your job.  The work itself comes in at a close second.  Benefits are way down at the end of the range!  I agree with this result.  I could live in Hawaii, a lovely place, but if the people I worked with were mean spirited and hard to get along with, I could not love my job.

You probably have noticed a thread running through most of my blogs, encouraging you to not give up...you are the master of your destiny type of mindset.

Well, the same goes for today - if you are unhappy at your job, seek something out (maybe in the same company) that is more rewarding.  A job does not bring joy everyday, but should bring a general sense of satisfaction and happiness (let's say 80%) of the time.

Where do you want to be 5 years from today? 

I see myself retired, frankly.  But, while I have to work to put cat food in Lucy's kitty dish, I might as well have a job that brings me joy.  

http://jobsearch.about.com/od/interview-you/qt/in-five-years.htm

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_do_you_answer_'Where_do_you_see_yourself_in_five_years'_in_a_job_interview

http://www.quintcareers.com/sticky_job_interview_situations.html

You're much less a pain in the butt when you are happy...

mimiandeunice.com

Every time I login to my blog I post a new "What I am happy for" next to my picture.  That little activity is motivating and encouraging.  I do realize how powerful "self talk" or "self affirmations" can be.

For many years I have posted notes to myself to help change my behavior or attitude:

• Listen, listen, listen...talk.   That was an important one.  I have a tendency to start talking before I listen carefully and digested the information.  I have done good at changing this behavior at work, but maybe not so much in my personal life.  As I get older I realize I am spouting off half-assed opinions and realize I should listen a bit more. 
• Enjoy the journey.  Before you know it, you will be my age.  You spent years being angry at (your sister, your mom, kids...an old ex, or an imagined enemy).  How wonderful it is to enjoy the journey, be happy, love (or ignore) your true enemies and embrace family.  Family will be there for you when all others fall by the wayside.  Don't waste another precious moment being angry, jealous or resentful.  Get over it.  Now.
• Take a risk.  What is a risk to you?  It is different for everyone.  Buying a house?  Traveling?  Getting a new job?  Investing your money?  Falling in love?  Leaving an unhealthy situation?  Education?  What is stopping you?  What are you really afraid of?  Get over that hurdle, however you can.  You will be proud of the new person you have become.
  

More reading:

1. A Good blog on 10 affirmations:  http://expertenough.com/2420/self-confidence
2. 10 Ways to live your destiny:  http://expertenough.com/2963/10-ways-to-live-your-destiny
3. 15 Probing questions to bust through your LIMITING beliefs: http://expertenough.com/2959/15-probing-questions-to-help-you-bust-through-limiting-beliefs

A Life Lived to it's Fullest: Be kind...a never-ending journey.

I was thinking the other day, at what point did I suddenly become aware I needed to live a richer life? 

When did I quit thinking just about myself?  When did the light bulb suddenly brighten and illuminate my selfish soul? 

When did I decide I would not buy in to corporate greed, or my own inflated view of self-importance and try to live simpler and more meaningfully?  When did I stop blaming others for my shortcomings?  When did I start to love unconditionally?

I am not quite sure, but I think it started out with the baby step of trying to help others in some small way.  I also know I still have a long way to go on this journey called life, and more and more learning before I can say I lived my life and I am satisfied with what I am doing with it.

What I can say is that, " I now enjoy the journey".

A nice article to read.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-cara-barker/life-well-lived_b_847772.html


I will add more to this when I think of something more.  I am rather glad I can finally get back to my blog and update it.

Signed...still on my journey, but now I pray I take time to help others along the way.

Why Friday is so Important

I decided to do a quick FaceBook survey today.  Why is Friday so important to you?  

Some responses:

• "Like"  - Evidently too tired on a Friday night to respond with actual words.

• End of a stressful work week.  Time to relax with family or friends or just curl up on my couch.  I get to stay up late without worrying about being overtired tomorrow!

• No NO NOOO more mind-numbing work TOMORROW!

• Jeg elsker Fredager!  I love Fridays!

• There is even a FB page called "I Love Friday".

• Friday is like a superhero that always arrives just in time to stop me from savagely beating one of my coworkers with a keyboard.

• It signifies closure to work and beginning of family time, if only for a short while.  Why do we work 5 days and only have 2 for family anyway?  I think it should be the other way around!

• If my boss knew how unproductive I am on Fridays, he wouldn't want me here either.

• From my sister, who is retiring April 30, "until 4/30 it will be because it is the end of the work week, after that, I enjoyed another day with so many blessings!"  

According to Ava McKinnon, a Yahoo blogger:  "Fridays are just a day that allows people to unwind after a long week at work. You do not have to get up early the next day, you do not have to deal with difficult work situations, and at the end of the day you do not have to come back to work for two whole days."  http://voices.yahoo.com/why-working-people-love-fridays-845823.html

So, mostly it's about NO work for a couple days, being able to rest and have fun.  No surprises there, but being today is Friday, it is just something else I am grateful for.

What says it better than this picture?  Sometimes we amazingly energized by FRIDAY afternoon!

Today is Friday, savor the moment. March 8, 2013

The importance of a glass of wine...

I was just contemplating the importance of power naps and let my granddaughter know. She was mentioning she could use a nap "mid-day". No problem! Just do it. (see my nap blog here: Marcia talks NAPS )

 Then, since I had already written about the importance of naps, I noticed I had drank a glass of leftover wine and quite enjoyed it. After drinking the partial glass of wine, I took about 30 minutes to make a call and talk to my brother, who is not feeling well. We had a wonderful conversation. I didn't feel rushed, I was relaxed and it made my day so much better (instead of working, working, working...).

 I like what Allison Davis (Quality Assurance Tester) from Idle Cellars posted:

 FAQ: 

•  WTF does "dry" mean? It's wet, ain't it? I'm including this in here because I wondered this for YEARS but was afraid to ask. I know that sounds like a middle-school sex pamphlet title but it's true. Basically, dry means now you taste it, now you don't. The flavor just dances on your tongue for a second and then it's gone — little to no lingering aftertaste, and yet strangely savory. 
•  I thought a “bouquet” was for flowers? Why do they keep saying that? It, as well as “nose,” is a fancy way of saying what a wine smells like, and you can totally roll your eyes when anyone says it to you. 
•  What about decanting? What's up with that? Decanting is a fancy way of letting wine air out, and it's legit. It's basically wine's way of unbuttoning the top button of its pants after a big meal. You know how awesome that is, right? Well, wine feels the same way. And unlike you, tastes better as a result. When the waiter pours a little into the glass, and looks at me all expectantly, what does he want from me? He wants you to nod your head so he can get to pouring for the other people you're with, which you should unless it tastes like complete ass. Is more-expensive better? Hell no. But sometimes, yeah. It's a lot like clothing — it doesn't need to be expensive to be awesome, but the first time you try on a dress that's tailored to your body perfectly and made of a material that you never want to take off, you get why it costs $300. It's the difference between Forever 21 and your favorite boutique. Sometimes a bottle is expensive because the vineyard read the grapes bedtime stories every night and knit each grape little blankies so they didn't catch colds. I guess the takeaway is to not feel pressured to buy something because it's expensive, but craftsmanship costs you (in a good way). 
•  Do I need to pair white with chicken and red with meat? What about rose? Or zinfandel? I mean, whatever. Seriously, drink what you want with who you want, where you want, when you want. Trust your taste buds and you can't go wrong.

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Speaking of being a QA tester for a winery...what the heck kind of job is that?  and how does one get a job like that? 

Some advice, if you want to take it.  Which Wine?