New View at Work

I have some challenges at work, which I do not even want to spell out here. Further, after a conversation with a mentor, I felt like I was advised with so little information from me. In fact, it was just bit offputting. However, I thought it over and found some wonderful, clear steps I have chosen to take.

1. Be confident in the trust that has been placed in me.
2. Delegate even more to graduate assistants.
3. For meetings, bring only a few items for discussion.
4. Think carefully about how many questions to ask, and word them effectively.
5. Take assignments and run with them.
6. Understand the position of those in the upline. The immediate supervisor may not always have the answers and may need to check with his supervisor. Thus, questions may be viewed as intrusive and too detailed. Make it easy for the supervisor to respond later, but do not make it obvious that you know he needs to check.
7. Offer solutions, take care of problems as if I am supposed to do so. Do not doubt my ability to address problems in the correct manner. Do not always ask if the supervisor agrees with the solution you have found.
8. Get a good understanding of the Outlook files I created, and use them more effectively.
9. Sort and organize the I-drive for more effective use.
10. Read the job description again. Find out what the expectations are. Make some notes to see if my tasks line up with the job description.
11. Communicate with supervisor as coworker, while respecting his supervisory role.
12. Communicate ownership of my position, while being coached as needed.

Accomplishments and Taxes

Last weekend, Andrew and Meghan came to see us because of Wade’s wedding. Andrew was in the wedding. So we were delighted to see them. I do always detest our having to clear our living area to be more presentable for their visits. I saw that Andrew checked out the entire house in a sort of nostalgic manner, noting aloud particular things, such as our recently replaced remote back door handle, which also meant the hiding was not hidden from him. Meghan asked about Andrew’s baby clothes and I gave them to her, including an outfit that Bill had worn, this one with the caveat that Joanna’s little boy would also get to wear the outfit. Andrew asked about my record player, which I gave to him. I want to find a new turntable with speakers. The one I gave to Andrew had a cassette player and a CD player, both of which are broken. He also asked for the juicer, and Bill agreed to that for a price of $75. We took them to lunch on Friday and Saturday. (I took of last Friday morning and went to the office around 2:30.) We sat together in church, which was great.

There was much less to move this time, and I have chosen not to bring it all back out. It is much less oppressing with an open space, good for the soul. The goal on clearing out this stuff is to have a garage sale, take things to consignment, eBay sales, Craig’s list, VegSource, and donations. For now, however, the focus is paperwork and taxes.

I am at the annual become-concerned-about-getting-taxes-done moment. I had Good Friday off, and I was able to process a lot of paperwork in a search to make sure I did not have any odd receipts lying about.

• Every item I touched was put in its proper place in a file folder in a crate. 
• Order wrap-ups are up-to-date. 
• Bookkeeping and mileage are recorded almost daily for 2015, and currently up-to-date.
• Medicare papers are being organized in a folder, with a few more to go, found later in the day.
• Mortgage invoices are collected together in a folder, instead of randomly placed in a stack.
• The card table, which is temporarily where the light table stood, is nearly cleared off. No papers on it, just the camera, several pairs of reading glasses and sunglasses the were on the computer desk, some hiding behind the monitor. I do think I will be able to fold up that table today!
• I did two loads of wash and hung everything on the laundry pole. I did not run the dryer at all!
• I am dieting successfully again, with input from a friend who is also dieting. Also, I have new insights about which I have blogged elsewhere. I am keeping the goal in front of me and just moving through all the lies, reasons, justifications, excuses, etc., for not keeping on!

 The weather has been so lovely, which brings additional inspiration! Sunshine, lovely temperatures, fresh air, birds singing, nature greening.

Lots to do, so much it can be daunting. But a little bit at a time is how I can succeed!

Upcoming plans.

• Get going with credit cards.
• Raise business prices.
• Have a garage sale.
• Take things to consignment.
• List items online to sell.
• Maintain order in paperwork and bookkeeping.

And right now, get those taxes done!